1st Advantage MortgageThe median Koochiching County household earns $66,940, and 11% 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
- Koochiching County, MN: the basics
- Paychecks and income spread in Koochiching County
- Work, industries and travel time in Koochiching County
- Koochiching County housing compared with Minnesota
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Koochiching County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Koochiching County households compared
- What the numbers mean for Koochiching County borrowers
- What a median Koochiching County budget can carry
- Lender oversight for Koochiching County
- A Koochiching County borrower's checklist
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Koochiching County, MN: the basics
Roughly 11,833 residents live in Koochiching County, Minnesota, 62nd by population among the state's 87 counties and county equivalents. It covers 3,105 square miles of land, or about 4 people per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. International Falls is the biggest of its 7 Census places, at roughly 5,642 people (48% of the county total).
Paychecks and income spread in Koochiching County
At $66,940, the typical Koochiching County household income is 2% above the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Households earning | Koochiching County | +/- vs Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.7% | +6.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.6% | +7.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.2% | -6.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.6% | -7.2 pts |
About 24% of households earn under $35,000, while 31% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 10.9%, 2 points higher than the state's 9.3%. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Koochiching County median.
Work, industries and travel time in Koochiching County
Education and health care employs 21% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 16%. Retail trade stands out: 15% of workers here, versus 11% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.8% in Koochiching County. Long commutes are the exception here: 10% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 8.9% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Koochiching County workers | vs Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.5% | -5.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 16.0% | +2.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 15.2% | +4.5 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 6.8% | -0.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.7% | -3.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.6% | -0.5 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Koochiching County housing compared with Minnesota
A typical Koochiching County rental runs $671 a month including utilities, which is 48% below Minnesota. By the Census definition, 32% of Koochiching County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $156,600, a typical Koochiching County house costs 2.3 times what the median household earns in a year. 80% of Koochiching County households own their home and 20% rent. Median construction year: 1972.
| Koochiching County | Minnesota | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $671/mo | $1,280/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $156,600 | $329,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 80% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 32% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 17% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 7.6% | 2.9% | 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).
Cities, towns and CDPs in Koochiching County
7 Census places fall mainly inside Koochiching County; the 7 biggest are below. They account for 7,311 residents, leaving about 38% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $57,662 in International Falls to $87,375 in Ranier. Live in one of these Koochiching County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Falls | city | 5,642 | $57,662 | $645 | 29 mi |
| Littlefork | city | 636 | $64,130 | $519 | 15 mi |
| Ranier | city | 509 | $87,375 | n/a | 32 mi |
| Nett Lake | CDP | 171 | $38,750 | $832 | 34 mi |
| Northome | city | 159 | $63,750 | $663 | 34 mi |
| Big Falls | city | 136 | $29,063 | $566 | 5 mi |
| Mizpah | city | 58 | $73,333 | n/a | 30 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Itasca County is closest, 53 miles from center to center; the sixth, Cass County, is 93 miles off. 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Koochiching County; Lake of the Woods County is highest at $77,546 and Clearwater County lowest at $64,475.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Koochiching County | - | $66,940 | $671/mo | 80% |
| Itasca County, MN | 53 mi | $68,603 | $988/mo | 83% |
| Beltrami County, MN | 62 mi | $68,975 | $1,053/mo | 70% |
| Lake of the Woods County, MN | 63 mi | $77,546 | $955/mo | 82% |
| St. Louis County, MN | 75 mi | $70,069 | $1,013/mo | 71% |
| Clearwater County, MN | 87 mi | $64,475 | $742/mo | 80% |
| Cass County, MN | 93 mi | $68,874 | $863/mo | 86% |
Koochiching County households compared
22% of Koochiching County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 6% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Koochiching County | Minnesota | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 51.6 | 38.8 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 22.0% | 39.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.3% | 6.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.7% | 4.7% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 8.9% | 6.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 12.2% | 17.6% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 10.9% | 9.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.8% | 4.1% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Koochiching County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 60.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 25.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 4.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.0% |
| 60+ min | 6.6% |
What the numbers mean for Koochiching County borrowers
Where the Koochiching County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Retirees. At a median age of 51.6, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Koochiching County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
What a median Koochiching County budget can carry
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Koochiching County's medians:
- $5,578 a month: gross income for a household at the Koochiching County median
- 12% goes to median rent ($671)
- At 40%, room after rent is $1,560 a month
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Lender oversight for Koochiching County
The Minnesota Department of Commerce is the place to verify any lender's Minnesota license. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. The Minnesota guide covers state rules in more detail.
A Koochiching County borrower's checklist
Quick steps for Koochiching County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Koochiching County.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Minnesota.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Minnesota guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Koochiching County?
$66,940 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $89,062 for Minnesota. It ranks 78th of 87 in the state.
How much is rent in Koochiching County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $671 a month; 32% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Does this page cover International Falls?
Yes, along with the other 6 Census places in Koochiching County, such as Littlefork, Ranier, Nett Lake.
Is the fit check different in Koochiching County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Where can someone in Koochiching 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.