1st Advantage MortgageThe median Aitkin County household earns $60,833, and 13% of residents live below the poverty line. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Minnesota before sharing details.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Aitkin County
- How much Aitkin County households make
- Aitkin County housing compared with Minnesota
- Work, industries and travel time in Aitkin County
- How Aitkin County compares with nearby counties
- Places inside Aitkin County
- Aitkin County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- What the numbers mean for Aitkin County borrowers
- Room for a loan payment in Aitkin County
- Who licenses lenders for Aitkin County residents
- A Aitkin County borrower's checklist
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Aitkin County
Roughly 16,056 residents live in Aitkin County, Minnesota, 53rd by population among the state's 87 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 1,821 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 9 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. The Census Bureau counts 6 places in the county (6 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Aitkin, with about 2,323 residents, or 14% of the county.
How much Aitkin County households make
Aitkin County households have a median income of $60,833 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 84th of 87 in Minnesota.
| Households earning | Aitkin County | +/- vs Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 28.7% | +11.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.0% | +7.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.2% | -9.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.1% | -9.7 pts |
The spread is wide: 25% of Aitkin County households make $100,000 or more, and 29% make less than $35,000. Census counts 13.1% of Aitkin County residents in poverty, against 9.3% across Minnesota. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Aitkin County median.
Aitkin County housing compared with Minnesota
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $869 in Aitkin County versus $1,280 statewide. By the Census definition, 47% of Aitkin County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $255,800, or 4.2 years of median income. The ownership rate is 85%.
| Measure | Aitkin County | Minnesota | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $869/mo | $1,280/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $255,800 | $329,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 85% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 47% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 34% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 10.6% | 2.9% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Aitkin County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Work, industries and travel time in Aitkin County
Education and health care employs 23% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 12%. Construction stands out: 11% of workers here, versus 6% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 5.8% in Aitkin County. About 74% drive to work alone and 17% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Industry | Share of Aitkin County workers | vs Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.2% | -2.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.0% | +1.3 pts |
| Construction | 11.5% | +5.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 11.3% | +4.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.4% | -3.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.9% | -3.7 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
How Aitkin County compares with nearby counties
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (32 to 50 miles). Income ranges from $68,874 in Cass County to $80,573 in Carlton County; all six of these neighbors top Aitkin County's median.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aitkin County | - | $60,833 | $869/mo | 85% |
| Crow Wing County, MN | 32 mi | $72,589 | $971/mo | 77% |
| Carlton County, MN | 36 mi | $80,573 | $1,009/mo | 80% |
| Kanabec County, MN | 46 mi | $71,460 | $962/mo | 85% |
| Pine County, MN | 47 mi | $71,146 | $877/mo | 82% |
| Mille Lacs County, MN | 48 mi | $72,729 | $903/mo | 78% |
| Cass County, MN | 50 mi | $68,874 | $863/mo | 86% |
Places inside Aitkin County
Here are the 6 most populous of the county's 6 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 21% of Aitkin County residents live in one of the 6. This guide covers each of the 6 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aitkin | city | 2,323 | $47,978 | $679 | 15 mi |
| Hill City | city | 503 | $37,396 | $522 | 28 mi |
| McGregor | city | 367 | $26,250 | $591 | 6 mi |
| Palisade | city | 148 | $29,583 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Tamarack | city | 43 | $60,833 | n/a | 14 mi |
| McGrath | city | 28 | n/a | n/a | 26 mi |
Aitkin County residents: age, schooling, coverage
20% of Aitkin County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 5.2%, against 4.7% for Minnesota.
| Residents | Aitkin County | Minnesota | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 56.9 | 38.8 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.3% | 39.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.4% | 6.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.2% | 4.7% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.0% | 6.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 12.7% | 17.6% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.1% | 9.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.8% | 4.1% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Aitkin County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 35.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 31.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.8% |
| 60+ min | 11.8% |
What the numbers mean for Aitkin County borrowers
Where the Aitkin County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Fixed incomes. Aitkin County's median age is 56.9. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
- Tight rental budgets. With 47% of Aitkin County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
Room for a loan payment in Aitkin County
Here is the Aitkin County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,069 before taxes
- Housing at the median rent of $869 uses 17%
- 35% debt-to-income limit: $905 left for all other debt payments
- At 45%, room after rent is $1,412 a month
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Who licenses lenders for Aitkin County residents
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Aitkin County, check the Minnesota Department of Commerce. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. Statewide data and rules: Minnesota guide.
A Aitkin County borrower's checklist
Quick steps for Aitkin County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Minnesota.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Minnesota guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Aitkin County earn?
The median is $60,833; 25% earn $100,000 or more and 29% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Aitkin County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $869 a month; 47% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Aitkin County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 85% of Aitkin County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Does this page cover Aitkin?
Yes, along with the other 5 Census places in Aitkin County, such as Hill City, McGregor, Palisade.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Aitkin County or elsewhere in Minnesota, the same rules apply.