1st Advantage MortgageThe median Martin County household earns $59,507, and 13% 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
- Getting oriented in Martin County
- How much Martin County households make
- Martin County housing compared with Minnesota
- Work, industries and travel time in Martin County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Martin County
- Martin County next to its neighbors
- Debt-to-income at Martin County's medians
- Martin County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Borrowing situations common in Martin County
- Minnesota rules that apply in Martin County
- Steps before you apply in Martin County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Martin County
Martin County is home to about 19,780 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 49th most populous of 87 county-level areas in Minnesota. Land area is 712 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 28 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Martin County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Fairmont is the biggest of its 9 Census places, at roughly 10,296 people (52% of the county total).
How much Martin County households make
At $59,507, the typical Martin County household income is 9% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 86th among Minnesota's 87 county-level areas.
| Yearly household income | Martin County | Gap to Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 28.4% | +11.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.2% | +5.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.7% | -8.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.6% | -8.2 pts |
The spread is wide: 28% of Martin County households make $100,000 or more, and 28% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 13.1%, 4 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 Martin County median.
Martin County housing compared with Minnesota
Renters in Martin County pay a median of $761 a month, 41% below the Minnesota figure of $1,280. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 51% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $163,500, about 2.7 times the median household income. Owners occupy 69% of homes. Median construction year: 1960.
| Cost | Martin County | Minnesota figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $761/mo | $1,280/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $163,500 | $329,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 69% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 51% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 23% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 9% | 9% | n/a |
Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Work, industries and travel time in Martin County
The biggest employer of Martin County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 23% of workers, followed by manufacturing (17%). The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 10% locally and 2% for Minnesota. The survey's unemployment rate for Martin County averages 4.2% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.1%). 6% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 8% work from home. 9.9% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Martin County | Gap to Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.2% | -2.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 16.8% | +3.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.2% | +2.5 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 10.2% | +8.1 pts |
| Construction | 6.2% | -0.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 5.3% | -1.8 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Martin County
Here are the 9 most populous of the county's 9 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 76% of Martin County residents live in one of the 9. Incomes vary by place: $61,188 at the median in Truman, $49,167 in Welcome. Rent is cheapest in Trimont ($622) and steepest in Truman ($1,052). None of the 9 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairmont | city | 10,296 | $53,084 | $738 | 5 mi |
| Truman | city | 1,212 | $61,188 | $1,052 | 12 mi |
| Sherburn | city | 1,015 | $59,777 | $739 | 9 mi |
| Welcome | city | 978 | $49,167 | $882 | 3 mi |
| Trimont | city | 546 | $49,196 | $622 | 10 mi |
| Ceylon | city | 259 | $40,208 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Granada | city | 243 | $70,000 | $579 | 10 mi |
| Northrop | city | 240 | $67,083 | $700 | 7 mi |
| Dunnell | city | 177 | $31,786 | n/a | 14 mi |
Martin County next to its neighbors
Distances run center to center, from Watonwan County at 21 miles out to Kossuth County at 36. All of the six report a higher median household income than Martin County; Jackson County is highest at $75,743 and Emmet County lowest at $63,730. Some neighbors are in Iowa. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Martin County resident follows Minnesota rules.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martin County | - | $59,507 | $761/mo | 69% |
| Watonwan County, MN | 21 mi | $71,699 | $834/mo | 78% |
| Emmet County, IA | 22 mi | $63,730 | $733/mo | 79% |
| Faribault County, MN | 30 mi | $66,815 | $799/mo | 79% |
| Jackson County, MN | 30 mi | $75,743 | $787/mo | 80% |
| Blue Earth County, MN | 34 mi | $74,477 | $1,123/mo | 61% |
| Kossuth County, IA | 36 mi | $67,697 | $859/mo | 79% |
Debt-to-income at Martin County's medians
Here is the Martin County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Martin County: $4,959
- Housing at the median rent of $761 uses 15%
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,371 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Two-income households and single earners in Martin County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Martin County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Degree holders: 24% of adults over 25. About 4% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | Martin County | All of Minnesota | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.9 | 38.8 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 23.8% | 39.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 4.8% | 6.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.1% | 4.7% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 9.9% | 6.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.9% | 17.6% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.1% | 9.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.2% | 4.1% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 54.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.3% |
| 60+ min | 4.0% |
Borrowing situations common in Martin County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Martin County borrowers.
- 51% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Martin County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
Minnesota rules that apply in Martin County
Consumer lenders serving Martin County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Minnesota that is the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: Minnesota guide.
Steps before you apply in Martin County
Quick steps for Martin County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Minnesota borrowers.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Related local guides
The Minnesota guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Martin County a high-income county?
Its $59,507 median ranks 86th of 87 Minnesota counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How does Martin County rent compare with Minnesota?
$761 locally versus $1,280 for the state, 41% below.
Does this page cover Fairmont?
Yes, along with the other 8 Census places in Martin County, such as Truman, Sherburn, Welcome.
Can Martin 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.
Who regulates personal lenders for Martin County residents?
The Minnesota Department of Commerce licenses consumer lenders in Minnesota; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.