1st Advantage MortgageIn Anoka County, Minnesota, the typical household earns $101,869 a year and the typical rent is $1,464. Use those as context only. A lender looks at your own documented income and debts; compare APR and total repaid on every Anoka County offer.
On this page
- A quick profile of Anoka County
- Anoka County industries and commutes
- Paychecks and income spread in Anoka County
- Homes and rents, Anoka County
- Where Anoka County differs from the rest of Minnesota
- Places inside Anoka County
- How Anoka County compares with nearby counties
- Anoka County households compared
- Budget math at the Anoka County median
- Local borrowing considerations for Anoka County
- Four steps for Anoka County borrowers
- Checking a lender's license in Minnesota
- More guides for Anoka County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Anoka County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Anoka County's population at 370,349; only 3 of Minnesota's 87 county-level areas are larger. Density: about 877.7 residents per square mile across 422 square miles of land. It is one of the counties that make up the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Largest place: Blaine, about 72,488 residents (20% of Anoka County); 20 Census places in all.
Anoka County industries and commutes
Education and health care (22%), manufacturing (16%) and retail trade (11%) lead Anoka County's job mix. Anoka County over-indexes on manufacturing: 16% versus 13% in Minnesota. Averaged over the five survey years, 4.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are the exception here: 12% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 4.6% of households have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Anoka County share | +/- vs Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.1% | -3.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 15.9% | +2.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.3% | +0.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.5% | -0.1 pts |
| Construction | 7.6% | +1.3 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 7.2% | 0.0 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Paychecks and income spread in Anoka County
Half of Anoka County households take in less than $101,869 a year and half take in more, 14% above the Minnesota median of $89,062. Only 6 Minnesota counties post a higher median.
| Income band | Share in Anoka County | Difference from Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 11.8% | -5.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 37.4% | -0.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 36.8% | +6.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 14.0% | +0.2 pts |
Some 12% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 51% have six-figure incomes. Anoka County counts about 25,996 residents below the poverty line, 7.0% of the population. Gini index for Anoka County: 0.388. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Homes and rents, Anoka County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,464 in Anoka County versus $1,280 statewide. By the Census definition, 51% of Anoka County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $346,500, or 3.4 years of median income. 80% of Anoka County households own their home and 20% rent. Median construction year: 1986.
| Housing | Anoka County | Minnesota statewide | Anoka County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 80% | 72% | +8.0 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 51% | 48% | +3.0 pts |
| Median gross rent | $1,464/mo | $1,280/mo | 14% higher |
| Median home value | $346,500 | $329,300 | 5% higher |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 23% | -0.5 pts |
| Mobile homes | 3.3% | 2.9% | +0.4 pts |
In an owner-heavy county like Anoka 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. Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Where Anoka County differs from the rest of Minnesota
The 4 Anoka County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Minnesota, and what each means for a borrower:
- Population: 370,349 in Anoka County. Only 3 of 87 Minnesota counties are higher. A big county has more local lenders, so shopping around is easier.
- Anoka County ranks 4th lowest of 87 Minnesota counties for the housing vacancy rate: 3%, against 9% statewide. Few vacant units can mean a tight housing market.
- Few Minnesota counties match Anoka County on median gross rent: $1,464/mo here, $1,280/mo for the state, ranking 6th highest of 87. Rent this high leaves less room in a debt-to-income test.
- On median household income, Anoka County sits near the top of Minnesota at $101,869, 7th highest of 87. A high county median can hide a wide spread, so budget from your own pay.
Places inside Anoka County
Places, by size: the top 14 of 20. Roughly 3% of Anoka County lives outside all of them, in open country or unnamed settlements. Incomes vary by place: $160,417 at the median in Nowthen, $54,306 in Hilltop. Rent is cheapest in Hilltop ($1,127) and steepest in Oak Grove ($2,042). No Anoka County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 20.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blaine | city | 72,488 | $106,801 | $1,705 | 7 mi |
| Coon Rapids | city | 63,468 | $88,251 | $1,494 | 8 mi |
| Andover | city | 33,035 | $137,593 | $2,037 | 5 mi |
| Fridley | city | 30,241 | $77,680 | $1,326 | 13 mi |
| Ramsey | city | 28,421 | $116,415 | $1,826 | 10 mi |
| Columbia Heights | city | 22,155 | $73,691 | $1,295 | 16 mi |
| Lino Lakes | city | 22,113 | $127,181 | $1,874 | 11 mi |
| Anoka | city | 17,970 | $75,948 | $1,269 | 8 mi |
| Ham Lake | city | 16,702 | $120,135 | $1,173 | 3 mi |
| East Bethel | city | 12,115 | $110,000 | $1,695 | 6 mi |
| Oak Grove | city | 9,130 | $117,696 | $2,042 | 7 mi |
| St. Francis | city | 8,372 | $111,198 | $1,287 | 11 mi |
| Circle Pines | city | 4,968 | $101,800 | $1,496 | 10 mi |
| Nowthen | city | 4,538 | $160,417 | n/a | 11 mi |
How Anoka County compares with nearby counties
Distances run center to center, from Ramsey County at 19 miles out to Sherburne County at 28. Anoka County's $101,869 median trails 2 of the six and beats 4; the range runs $81,568 (Ramsey County) to $115,345 (Washington County).
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anoka County | - | $101,869 | $1,464/mo | 80% |
| Ramsey County, MN | 19 mi | $81,568 | $1,329/mo | 61% |
| Isanti County, MN | 20 mi | $87,440 | $1,273/mo | 84% |
| Hennepin County, MN | 22 mi | $97,653 | $1,487/mo | 63% |
| Chisago County, MN | 23 mi | $99,400 | $1,186/mo | 86% |
| Washington County, MN | 24 mi | $115,345 | $1,710/mo | 81% |
| Sherburne County, MN | 28 mi | $105,466 | $1,127/mo | 83% |
Anoka County households compared
Bachelor's degree or higher: 32% of Anoka County adults. Uninsured, Anoka County: 4.6%; Minnesota: 4.7%.
| Residents | Anoka County | Difference from Minnesota | Difference from middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 32.2% | -7.2 pts | +10.0 pts |
| Poverty rate | 7.0% | -2.3 pts | -6.2 pts |
| No vehicle | 4.6% | -2.0 pts | -0.8 pts |
| Work from home | 17.2% | -0.5 pts | +8.5 pts |
| No high school diploma | 5.6% | -0.4 pts | n/a |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.3% | +0.2 pts | -0.2 pts |
| No health insurance | 4.6% | -0.1 pts | -3.3 pts |
| Median age | 38.8 | +0.0 yrs | -2.7 yrs |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 20.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 41.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 25.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.8% |
| 60+ min | 4.6% |
Budget math at the Anoka County median
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Anoka County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $8,489 a month: gross income for a household at the Anoka County median
- Median rent: $1,464, or 17 cents of every gross dollar
- With a 40% ceiling, about $1,932 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Local borrowing considerations for Anoka County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Anoka County borrowers.
- Consolidation math. With 51% at six figures, card consolidation is common; it pays only if total cost falls (guide).
- Tight rental budgets. With 51% of Anoka County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
Four steps for Anoka County borrowers
Before you apply, wherever you live in Anoka County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- A Minnesota license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Checking a lender's license in Minnesota
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Anoka County, check the Minnesota Department of Commerce. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on Minnesota: Minnesota personal loans.
More guides for Anoka County
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
Is Anoka County a high-income county?
Its $101,869 median ranks 7th of 87 Minnesota counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Can a Anoka County renter afford a loan payment?
At the $1,464 median rent and $8,489 median monthly income, rent alone uses 17%; add other debts before a new payment.
Is Bethel covered?
Yes. Bethel is one of 20 Census places in Anoka County, and this guide covers all of them.
Are Anoka County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Anoka County?
Start with the Minnesota Department of Commerce, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.