1st Advantage MortgageAbout 73% of Kandiyohi County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $76,592. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Kandiyohi County, MN: the basics
- Rent, home values and ownership in Kandiyohi County
- What Kandiyohi County households earn
- Employment and commuting in Kandiyohi County
- Places inside Kandiyohi County
- The counties around Kandiyohi County
- A Kandiyohi County household budget, worked through
- Kandiyohi County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Reading the Kandiyohi County data as a borrower
- Checklist for Kandiyohi County applicants
- Checking a lender's license in Minnesota
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Kandiyohi County, MN: the basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Kandiyohi County's population at 44,079; only 22 of Minnesota's 87 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 797 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 55 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Kandiyohi County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 12 places in the county (12 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Willmar, with about 21,378 residents, or 48% of the county.
Rent, home values and ownership in Kandiyohi County
Renters in Kandiyohi County pay a median of $909 a month, 29% below the Minnesota figure of $1,280. 41% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 18% spend half or more. With a median value of $243,200, a typical Kandiyohi County house costs 3.2 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 73%. Median construction year: 1978.
| Measure | Kandiyohi County | Minnesota | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $909/mo | $1,280/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $243,200 | $329,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 73% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 23% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 13% | 9% | n/a |
Because most Kandiyohi County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
What Kandiyohi County households earn
Kandiyohi County households have a median income of $76,592 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 31st of 87 in Minnesota.
| Household income | Kandiyohi County | vs Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 20.0% | +2.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.9% | +5.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 29.0% | -1.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.0% | -6.8 pts |
About 20% of households earn under $35,000, while 36% clear $100,000. Census counts 9.1% of Kandiyohi County residents in poverty, against 9.3% across Minnesota. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.415 (0 is perfect equality). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Employment and commuting in Kandiyohi County
The biggest employer of Kandiyohi County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 27% of workers, followed by manufacturing (12%). Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 5% of workers here, versus 2% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.6% in Kandiyohi County. 7% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 9% work from home. Households without a car make up 5.5% of the total (6.7% statewide).
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Kandiyohi County | Gap to Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.8% | +1.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.1% | -1.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.5% | +0.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.5% | -3.1 pts |
| Construction | 7.4% | +1.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.4% | +0.3 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Kandiyohi County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Places inside Kandiyohi County
Here are the 12 most populous of the county's 12 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 63% of Kandiyohi County residents live in one of the 12. Prinsburg has the highest median household income on the list ($107,500) and Willmar the lowest ($62,280), counting places with at least 500 residents. Live in one of these Kandiyohi County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willmar | city | 21,378 | $62,280 | $910 | 3 mi |
| Spicer | city | 1,222 | $77,969 | $859 | 6 mi |
| Atwater | city | 1,203 | $71,042 | $768 | 11 mi |
| New London | city | 1,187 | $68,421 | $946 | 10 mi |
| Raymond | city | 692 | $64,563 | $825 | 15 mi |
| Prinsburg | city | 651 | $107,500 | $981 | 17 mi |
| Pennock | city | 549 | $72,031 | $1,042 | 8 mi |
| Kandiyohi | city | 493 | $73,214 | $788 | 4 mi |
| Lake Lillian | city | 157 | $60,250 | $700 | 16 mi |
| Blomkest | city | 129 | $62,083 | $1,625 | 15 mi |
| Sunburg | city | 106 | $48,750 | n/a | 18 mi |
| Regal | city | 33 | $88,750 | n/a | 19 mi |
The counties around Kandiyohi County
Meeker County is closest, 23 miles from center to center; the sixth, Pope County, is 37 miles off. 1 of the six report a higher median household income than Kandiyohi County; Stearns County is highest at $77,066 and Swift County lowest at $60,412.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kandiyohi County | - | $76,592 | $909/mo | 73% |
| Meeker County, MN | 23 mi | $75,446 | $904/mo | 79% |
| Chippewa County, MN | 29 mi | $71,458 | $869/mo | 72% |
| Renville County, MN | 30 mi | $70,625 | $790/mo | 80% |
| Stearns County, MN | 34 mi | $77,066 | $1,068/mo | 68% |
| Swift County, MN | 34 mi | $60,412 | $920/mo | 72% |
| Pope County, MN | 37 mi | $76,220 | $902/mo | 84% |
A Kandiyohi County household budget, worked through
Kandiyohi County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Start: $6,383 gross per month ($76,592 / 12)
- Housing at the median rent of $909 uses 14%
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,836 left for all other debt payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Kandiyohi County residents: age, schooling, coverage
28% of Kandiyohi County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 6.4% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Kandiyohi County | Minnesota | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.0 | 38.8 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 27.9% | 39.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.7% | 6.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.4% | 4.7% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.5% | 6.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.1% | 17.6% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 9.1% | 9.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.6% | 4.1% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Kandiyohi County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 52.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 32.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 7.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.6% |
| 60+ min | 4.2% |
Reading the Kandiyohi County data as a borrower
Where the Kandiyohi County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Kandiyohi County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
Checklist for Kandiyohi County applicants
Quick steps for Kandiyohi County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Kandiyohi County.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Kandiyohi County-area credit union.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Minnesota borrowers.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Checking a lender's license in Minnesota
Consumer lenders serving Kandiyohi County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Minnesota that is the Minnesota Department of Commerce. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on Minnesota: Minnesota personal loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Minnesota guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Kandiyohi County household make?
About $76,592 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 14% below the Minnesota median.
What do renters pay in Kandiyohi County?
$909 a month at the median, about 14% of median household income.
I own my home in Kandiyohi County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 73% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Which towns does the Kandiyohi County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 12 Census places: Willmar, Spicer, Atwater, New London, Raymond.
Are Kandiyohi 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.