1st Advantage Mortgage34% of Lac qui Parle County households earn $100,000 or more; the median is $74,432 (ACS 2020-24). For a Lac qui Parle County borrower, the useful steps are the same anywhere: price the need, gather three written offers, and check the Minnesota license.
On this page
- Lac qui Parle County by the numbers
- Earnings across Lac qui Parle County households
- Where Lac qui Parle County differs from the rest of Minnesota
- Where Lac qui Parle County households live
- Jobs and commutes in Lac qui Parle County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Madison and the rest of Lac qui Parle County
- What the numbers mean for Lac qui Parle County borrowers
- What a median Lac qui Parle County budget can carry
- Who lives in Lac qui Parle County, in numbers
- Steps before you apply in Lac qui Parle County
- Who licenses lenders for Lac qui Parle County residents
- More guides for Lac qui Parle County
- Frequently asked questions
Lac qui Parle County by the numbers
Lac qui Parle County is home to about 6,682 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 76th most populous of 87 county-level areas in Minnesota. Density: about 8.7 residents per square mile across 765 square miles of land. No metropolitan area includes Lac qui Parle County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 7 places in the county (7 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Madison, with about 1,550 residents, or 23% of the county. Small populations mean wide margins of error, so read every Lac qui Parle County figure on this page as a rough guide.
Earnings across Lac qui Parle County households
Half of Lac qui Parle County households take in less than $74,432 a year and half take in more, 16% below the Minnesota median of $89,062.
| Yearly household income | Lac qui Parle County | Gap to Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 22.1% | +4.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.0% | +5.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.3% | -5.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.6% | -5.2 pts |
About 22% of households earn under $35,000, while 34% clear $100,000. Lac qui Parle County counts about 544 residents below the poverty line, 8.1% of the population. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Where Lac qui Parle County differs from the rest of Minnesota
Out of every Minnesota county, Lac qui Parle County is most unusual on these measures.
- Lac qui Parle County ranks 7th lowest of 87 Minnesota counties for the ACS unemployment rate: 2.0%, against 4.1% statewide. A tight job market helps steady income, but lenders still verify it.
- Median age: 47.4 in Lac qui Parle County. Only 8 of 87 Minnesota counties are higher. Older borrowers often rely on fixed incomes, so a fixed payment helps.
- On the share of mobile homes, Lac qui Parle County sits near the bottom of Minnesota at 1.4%, 9th lowest of 87. Few mobile homes means most owners have traditional equity options.
Where Lac qui Parle County households live
Lac qui Parle County rent at the median: $728 a month, utilities in ($1,280 in Minnesota). 43% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 28% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $157,600, about 2.1 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 83%. Median construction year: 1951. Nationally, Lac qui Parle County's $728 rent is 17% below the middle county.
| Housing | Lac qui Parle County | Minnesota statewide | Lac qui Parle County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 83% | 72% | +10.3 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 43% | 48% | -5.2 pts |
| Median home value | $157,600 | $329,300 | 52% lower |
| Median gross rent | $728/mo | $1,280/mo | 43% lower |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 23% | -2.0 pts |
| Mobile homes | 1.4% | 2.9% | -1.5 pts |
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).
Jobs and commutes in Lac qui Parle County
Top Lac qui Parle County industry by residents employed: education and health care, 27%; second, agriculture, forestry and mining, 17%. Lac qui Parle County over-indexes on agriculture, forestry and mining: 17% versus 2% in Minnesota. The survey's unemployment rate for Lac qui Parle County averages 2.0% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.1%). About 73% drive to work alone and 7% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 100 Lac qui Parle County households, 3.4%, have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | Lac qui Parle County | Difference from Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 27.4% | +1.6 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 16.6% | +14.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.8% | -2.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.1% | -1.6 pts |
| Construction | 5.7% | -0.6 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 5.3% | -1.9 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Lac qui Parle County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Neighboring counties at a glance
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Lac qui Parle County's, from 25 to 31 miles away. 2 of the six report a higher median household income than Lac qui Parle County; Deuel County is highest at $83,112 and Swift County lowest at $60,412. Some neighbors are in South Dakota. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Lac qui Parle County resident follows Minnesota rules.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lac qui Parle County | - | $74,432 | $728/mo | 83% |
| Yellow Medicine County, MN | 25 mi | $74,000 | $678/mo | 84% |
| Chippewa County, MN | 30 mi | $71,458 | $869/mo | 72% |
| Deuel County, SD | 30 mi | $83,112 | $642/mo | 83% |
| Swift County, MN | 30 mi | $60,412 | $920/mo | 72% |
| Big Stone County, MN | 31 mi | $70,400 | $745/mo | 80% |
| Grant County, SD | 31 mi | $75,028 | $763/mo | 76% |
Madison and the rest of Lac qui Parle County
Places, by size: the top 7 of 7. Roughly 46% of Lac qui Parle County lives outside all of them, in open country or unnamed settlements. Madison and every other Lac qui Parle County community use this county guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | city | 1,550 | $61,172 | $838 | 1 mi |
| Dawson | city | 1,513 | $68,929 | $586 | 8 mi |
| Boyd | city | 172 | $54,375 | $535 | 17 mi |
| Marietta | city | 166 | $34,375 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Bellingham | city | 146 | $46,786 | $495 | 11 mi |
| Nassau | city | 49 | $86,250 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Louisburg | city | 20 | $51,250 | n/a | 11 mi |
What the numbers mean for Lac qui Parle County borrowers
Based on the Lac qui Parle County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Retirees. At a median age of 47.4, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
- Consolidating cards in Lac qui Parle County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
What a median Lac qui Parle County budget can carry
How much room does a median Lac qui Parle County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Monthly gross at the median, Lac qui Parle County: $6,203
- 12% goes to median rent ($728)
- $1,939: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
If your rent is above $728, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Who lives in Lac qui Parle County, in numbers
College graduates make up 23% of the adult population. 3.8% of residents have no health coverage.
| Lac qui Parle County | vs Minnesota | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.4 | +8.6 yrs | +5.9 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 23.3% | -16.1 pts | +1.1 pts |
| No high school diploma | 4.8% | -1.2 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 3.8% | -0.9 pts | -4.0 pts |
| No vehicle | 3.4% | -3.2 pts | -2.0 pts |
| Work from home | 13.5% | -4.1 pts | +4.8 pts |
| Poverty rate | 8.1% | -1.2 pts | -5.0 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.0% | -2.1 pts | -2.4 pts |
| Commute length | Lac qui Parle County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 52.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 9.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.8% |
| 60+ min | 3.6% |
Steps before you apply in Lac qui Parle County
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Lac qui Parle County-area credit union.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Who licenses lenders for Lac qui Parle County residents
Consumer lenders serving Lac qui Parle County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Minnesota that is the Minnesota Department of Commerce. If a Lac qui Parle County lender ignores a dispute, the CFPB complaint portal is the federal backstop. State-level detail for Lac qui Parle County borrowers is in the Minnesota guide.
More guides for Lac qui Parle County
No city in Lac qui Parle County has its own guide yet; the state page is next up.
Frequently asked questions
Is $74,432 a good income in Lac qui Parle County?
It is the county median, so half of Lac qui Parle County households earn more and half less; 34% earn $100,000 or more.
Is Lac qui Parle County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $728 against $1,280 statewide, and 43% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Which towns does the Lac qui Parle County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 7 Census places: Madison, Dawson, Boyd, Marietta, Bellingham.
Does living in Lac qui Parle County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Lac qui Parle County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
How do I know a lender is legitimate in Lac qui Parle County?
Look it up with the Minnesota Department of Commerce, read the written offer, and refuse any fee before funding.