1st Advantage MortgageBlue Earth County households have a median income of $74,477 and median rent of $1,123 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Blue Earth County by the numbers
- Household income in Blue Earth County
- Work, industries and travel time in Blue Earth County
- What it costs to live in Blue Earth County
- The communities that make up Blue Earth County
- How Blue Earth County compares with nearby counties
- What a median Blue Earth County budget can carry
- Reading the Blue Earth County data as a borrower
- Who lives in Blue Earth County, in numbers
- Licensing and complaints for Blue Earth County
- A Blue Earth County borrower's checklist
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Blue Earth County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Blue Earth County's population at 69,871; only 12 of Minnesota's 87 county-level areas are larger. Packed into 748 square miles, that is close to 93 residents for every square mile of land. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Mankato, MN metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Mankato is the biggest of its 13 Census places, at roughly 45,473 people (65% of the county total).
Household income in Blue Earth County
Half of Blue Earth County households take in less than $74,477 a year and half take in more, 16% below the Minnesota median of $89,062. Only 39 Minnesota counties post a higher median.
| Band | Blue Earth County | Compared with Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 22.2% | +4.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.3% | +5.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 27.7% | -3.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.8% | -7.0 pts |
The spread is wide: 35% of Blue Earth County households make $100,000 or more, and 22% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 15.7%, 6 points higher than the state's 9.3%. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Work, industries and travel time in Blue Earth County
Education and health care employs 30% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 15%. Compared with Minnesota, the county leans toward education and health care (30% against 26%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.9% in Blue Earth County. 6% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 8% work from home. Only 6.6% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Sector | Blue Earth County | Compared with Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 29.7% | +3.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 14.7% | +1.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.7% | +3.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.1% | +1.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.9% | -3.7 pts |
| Construction | 5.3% | -1.1 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Blue Earth County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
What it costs to live in Blue Earth County
Renters in Blue Earth County pay a median of $1,123 a month, 12% below the Minnesota figure of $1,280. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 48% of renter households here. With a median value of $266,700, a typical Blue Earth County house costs 3.6 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 61% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1978.
| Blue Earth County | Minnesota | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,123/mo | $1,280/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $266,700 | $329,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 61% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 4.9% | 2.9% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 8% | 9% | n/a |
The communities that make up Blue Earth County
13 Census places fall mainly inside Blue Earth County; the 13 biggest are below. They account for 71,442 residents, leaving about 0% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. St. Clair has the highest median household income on the list ($106,136) and Mankato the lowest ($66,873), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Madison Lake ($596) and steepest in Eagle Lake ($1,403). Live in one of these Blue Earth County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mankato | city | 45,473 | $66,873 | $1,132 | 10 mi |
| North Mankato | city | 14,211 | $80,791 | $973 | 10 mi |
| Eagle Lake | city | 3,281 | $96,964 | $1,403 | 13 mi |
| Lake Crystal | city | 2,606 | $83,317 | $825 | 9 mi |
| Mapleton | city | 1,728 | $80,909 | $782 | 9 mi |
| Madison Lake | city | 1,322 | $87,727 | $596 | 17 mi |
| St. Clair | city | 710 | $106,136 | $750 | 11 mi |
| Amboy | city | 602 | $69,844 | $763 | 11 mi |
| Good Thunder | city | 456 | $81,667 | n/a | 2 mi |
| Vernon Center | city | 329 | $70,000 | $950 | 7 mi |
| Skyline | city | 307 | $71,875 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Pemberton | city | 223 | $50,417 | $1,714 | 14 mi |
| Garden City | CDP | 194 | $81,250 | $950 | 5 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
How Blue Earth County compares with nearby counties
Waseca County is closest, 24 miles from center to center; the sixth, Martin County, is 34 miles off. 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Blue Earth County; Le Sueur County is highest at $94,968 and Martin County lowest at $59,507.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Earth County | - | $74,477 | $1,123/mo | 61% |
| Waseca County, MN | 24 mi | $76,261 | $883/mo | 81% |
| Nicollet County, MN | 24 mi | $79,756 | $970/mo | 72% |
| Faribault County, MN | 25 mi | $66,815 | $799/mo | 79% |
| Watonwan County, MN | 28 mi | $71,699 | $834/mo | 78% |
| Le Sueur County, MN | 29 mi | $94,968 | $942/mo | 81% |
| Martin County, MN | 34 mi | $59,507 | $761/mo | 69% |
What a median Blue Earth County budget can carry
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Blue Earth County's medians:
- Start: $6,206 gross per month ($74,477 / 12)
- Rent at the median, $1,123, takes 18% of that
- At 40%, room after rent is $1,360 a month
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Reading the Blue Earth County data as a borrower
What the Blue Earth County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- 48% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
Who lives in Blue Earth County, in numbers
College graduates make up 34% of the adult population. 4.3% of residents have no health coverage.
| Blue Earth County | Minnesota | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 31.6 | 38.8 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 34.2% | 39.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.3% | 6.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.3% | 4.7% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.6% | 6.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.5% | 17.6% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.7% | 9.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.9% | 4.1% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Blue Earth County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 52.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 34.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 7.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.4% |
| 60+ min | 3.6% |
Licensing and complaints for Blue Earth County
Blue Earth County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. The Minnesota guide covers state rules in more detail.
A Blue Earth County borrower's checklist
Steps that save money for Blue Earth County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Minnesota borrowers.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Related local guides
The Minnesota guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Blue Earth County?
$74,477 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $89,062 for Minnesota. It ranks 40th of 87 in the state.
How does Blue Earth County rent compare with Minnesota?
$1,123 locally versus $1,280 for the state, 12% below.
What are the biggest places in Blue Earth County?
By population: Mankato, North Mankato, Eagle Lake, Lake Crystal, Mapleton. The county has 13 Census places in all.
Can Blue Earth County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Minnesota county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Where can someone in Blue Earth County check a lender's license?
With the Minnesota Department of Commerce. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.