Stearns County, Minnesota
Among the top 13% of US counties for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade F, better than 10% of US counties
WeatherWeather: grade B, better than 53% of US counties
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade D, better than 22% of US counties
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade A, better than 87% of US counties
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade B, better than 56% of US counties
- bottom 6% for estimated total tax burden
Stearns County is a county in Minnesota with about 159,000 residents. It grades A for getting around and F for affordability. Standout strengths include walkability, broadband access, and summer humidity. It rates lower on income tax and estimated total tax burden.
Official websiteco.stearns.mn.us (opens in new tab)
Climate
Warm summers · Harsh winters · Moderate rain · Heavy snow
freezing
v.cold
cold
comf.
warm
comf.
cool
v.cold
freez.
76%54%clearovercast
Precipitation 4.2 in0.9 in
humid 62%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$73k80th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$46kbetter than 40% of US counties
Home Value$241k78th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$975better than 25% of US counties
Monthly Owner Costs$2kbetter than 20% of US counties
Property Tax Rate1.02%better than 37% of US counties
Income Tax9.90%better than 6% of US counties
Sales Tax8.04%better than 38% of US counties
Estimated total tax burden15.93%better than 6% of US counties
Unemployment4.4%better than 56% of US counties
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)12°F2nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)70°F14th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation30.4 in25th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall53.1 inbetter than 10% of US counties
Sunny Days234 daysbetter than 47% of US counties
Summer Humidity60°Fbetter than 75% of US counties
Comfortable Days86 daysbetter than 68% of US counties
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk87.6better than 12% of US counties
Air Quality48 AQIbetter than 22% of US counties
School Quality65.4better than 69% of US counties
Violent Crime767/100kbetter than 51% of US counties
Property Crime2481/100kbetter than 7% of US counties
Community
Population158,62287th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age34.98th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.2851st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio1.0370th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningR+2333rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)83.0%54th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)8.0%73rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)3.8%41st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)1.9%83rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)3.3%47th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time22 minbetter than 70% of US counties
Walkability7.3/20better than 79% of US counties
Airport Distance80 mibetter than 61% of US counties
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access88.0%better than 78% of US counties
Amenities Nearby0.00better than 12% of US counties
Park & Nature AccessGoodbetter than 74% of US counties
Frequently asked questions
- Is Stearns County an affordable place to live?
- Stearns County is about average in cost. Its cost-of-living index is $46k, better than 40% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Stearns County?
- The median home value in Stearns County is $241k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Stearns County?
- Median household income in Stearns County is $73k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Stearns County?
- Median gross rent in Stearns County is $975 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Stearns County safe?
- Stearns County is about average for safety comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 767/100k (better than 51%). Property crime is 2481/100k.
- What is the weather like in Stearns County?
- Stearns County averages 70°F in July and 12°F in January, with 30.4 in of annual precipitation and about 234 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Stearns County?
- Public-school quality in Stearns County is above average, scoring better than 69% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Stearns County?
- The average one-way commute in Stearns County is 22 min.
Other counties in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)