1st Advantage MortgageJackson County households have a median income of $75,743 and median rent of $787 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Minnesota license first.
On this page
- Jackson County by the numbers
- Income in Jackson County compared with Minnesota
- What it costs to live in Jackson County
- The Jackson County job picture
- The communities that make up Jackson County
- How Jackson County compares with nearby counties
- Room for a loan payment in Jackson County
- More Jackson County figures
- What the numbers mean for Jackson County borrowers
- Steps before you apply in Jackson County
- Checking a lender's license in Minnesota
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Jackson County by the numbers
Jackson County is home to about 9,933 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 67th most populous of 87 county-level areas in Minnesota. Land area is 703 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 14 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Jackson County is not part of any metropolitan area. Jackson is the biggest of its 7 Census places, at roughly 3,287 people (33% of the county total). With so few households sampled, Jackson County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Income in Jackson County compared with Minnesota
At $75,743, the typical Jackson County household income is 15% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 35th among Minnesota's 87 county-level areas.
| Household income | Jackson County | vs Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 20.8% | +3.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.1% | +7.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.3% | -4.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.8% | -6.0 pts |
About 21% of households earn under $35,000, while 34% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 8.6%, 1 point lower than the state's 9.3%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.440 (0 is perfect equality). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Jackson County median.
What it costs to live in Jackson County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $787 in Jackson County versus $1,280 statewide. By the Census definition, 38% of Jackson County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $157,100, a typical Jackson County house costs 2.1 times what the median household earns in a year. 80% of Jackson County households own their home and 20% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1959.
| Home costs | Jackson County | Minnesota | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $787/mo | $1,280/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $157,100 | $329,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 80% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 38% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 19% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 1.5% | 2.9% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 11% | 9% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
The Jackson County job picture
The biggest employer of Jackson County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 23% of workers, followed by manufacturing (20%). Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 10% of workers here, versus 2% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 2.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are the exception here: 6% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 3.9% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Jackson County | Gap to Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.4% | -2.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 19.7% | +6.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.7% | 0.0 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 9.9% | +7.9 pts |
| Construction | 7.9% | +1.6 pts |
| Public administration | 5.6% | +1.9 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
The communities that make up Jackson County
Here are the 7 most populous of the county's 7 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 59% of Jackson County residents live in one of the 7. Incomes vary by place: $71,648 at the median in Lakefield, $68,000 in Heron Lake. No Jackson County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 7.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | city | 3,287 | $70,223 | $752 | 9 mi |
| Lakefield | city | 1,507 | $71,648 | $770 | 1 mi |
| Heron Lake | city | 593 | $68,000 | $833 | 12 mi |
| Okabena | city | 210 | $86,719 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Alpha | city | 114 | $145,362 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Fish Lake | CDP | 93 | $96,250 | n/a | 13 mi |
| Wilder | city | 32 | $44,000 | n/a | 11 mi |
How Jackson County compares with nearby counties
Dickinson County is closest, 20 miles from center to center; the sixth, Osceola County, is 32 miles off. Dickinson County leads the group on income ($75,432), Martin County trails ($59,507), and Jackson County out-earns 6 of the six. Some neighbors are in Iowa. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Jackson County resident follows Minnesota rules.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson County | - | $75,743 | $787/mo | 80% |
| Dickinson County, IA | 20 mi | $75,432 | $922/mo | 77% |
| Cottonwood County, MN | 24 mi | $72,941 | $817/mo | 74% |
| Martin County, MN | 30 mi | $59,507 | $761/mo | 69% |
| Nobles County, MN | 31 mi | $66,101 | $896/mo | 74% |
| Emmet County, IA | 31 mi | $63,730 | $733/mo | 79% |
| Osceola County, IA | 32 mi | $69,239 | $797/mo | 78% |
Room for a loan payment in Jackson County
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Jackson County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $75,743 a year is $6,312 of gross monthly income
- Housing at the median rent of $787 uses 12%
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,927 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.
More Jackson County figures
College graduates make up 26% of the adult population. 3.0% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Jackson County | All of Minnesota | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.5 | 38.8 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 26.1% | 39.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.1% | 6.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 3.0% | 4.7% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.9% | 6.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.1% | 17.6% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 8.6% | 9.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.4% | 4.1% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 46.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 35.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 1.4% |
| 60+ min | 4.7% |
What the numbers mean for Jackson County borrowers
What the Jackson County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Steps before you apply in Jackson County
Before you apply, wherever you live in Jackson County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Checking a lender's license in Minnesota
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Jackson County, check the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. The Minnesota guide covers state rules in more detail.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Minnesota guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Jackson County household make?
About $75,743 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 15% below the Minnesota median.
What do renters pay in Jackson County?
$787 a month at the median, about 12% of median household income.
Should Jackson County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 80% of Jackson 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 Jackson?
Yes, along with the other 6 Census places in Jackson County, such as Lakefield, Heron Lake, Okabena.
Can Jackson 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.