1st Advantage MortgageIn McLeod County, Minnesota, the typical household earns $80,084 a year and the typical rent is $941. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- McLeod County, MN: the basics
- Paychecks and income spread in McLeod County
- What it costs to live in McLeod County
- Employment and commuting in McLeod County
- The communities that make up McLeod County
- Regional comparison for McLeod County
- Debt-to-income at McLeod County's medians
- Local borrowing considerations for McLeod County
- McLeod County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- A McLeod County borrower's checklist
- Minnesota rules that apply in McLeod County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
McLeod County, MN: the basics
McLeod County is home to about 36,798 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 29th most populous of 87 county-level areas in Minnesota. Packed into 492 square miles, that is close to 75 residents for every square mile of land. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, McLeod County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 9 Census places inside McLeod County, Hutchinson leads by population with about 14,680; 9 of the 9 are incorporated.
Paychecks and income spread in McLeod County
The median household income in McLeod County is $80,084; statewide it is $89,062, so McLeod County runs 10% below Minnesota as a whole. Only 20 Minnesota counties post a higher median.
| Yearly household income | McLeod County | Gap to Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 19.1% | +1.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.3% | +4.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 30.3% | -0.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.3% | -5.5 pts |
Some 19% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 39% have six-figure incomes. 8.7% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 9.3%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.426 here. For a borrower in McLeod County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
What it costs to live in McLeod County
Renters in McLeod County pay a median of $941 a month, 26% below the Minnesota figure of $1,280. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 40% of renter households here. Home values center on $246,100, or 3.1 years of median income. The ownership rate is 77%. Half the housing stock was built before 1979.
| Measure | McLeod County | Minnesota | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $941/mo | $1,280/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $246,100 | $329,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 77% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 40% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 4.8% | 2.9% | n/a |
Because most McLeod 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.
Employment and commuting in McLeod County
Manufacturing employs 24% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 20%. Manufacturing stands out: 24% of workers here, versus 13% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for McLeod County averages 3.3% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.1%). 16% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 9% work from home. Only 3.4% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Top industries | McLeod County share | +/- vs Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 24.3% | +11.0 pts |
| Education and health care | 20.4% | -5.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.5% | -1.2 pts |
| Construction | 8.7% | +2.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.4% | -3.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 5.7% | -1.4 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
The communities that make up McLeod 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 73% of McLeod County residents live in one of the 9. Incomes vary by place: $96,544 at the median in Lester Prairie, $65,982 in Stewart. Rent is cheapest in Lester Prairie ($688) and steepest in Glencoe ($1,101). Live in one of these McLeod County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hutchinson | city | 14,680 | $72,836 | $940 | 7 mi |
| Glencoe | city | 5,695 | $71,356 | $1,101 | 7 mi |
| Winsted | city | 2,181 | $67,200 | $834 | 14 mi |
| Lester Prairie | city | 1,898 | $96,544 | $688 | 12 mi |
| Silver Lake | city | 815 | $74,432 | $844 | 7 mi |
| Stewart | city | 644 | $65,982 | $763 | 12 mi |
| Brownton | city | 546 | $79,712 | $875 | 7 mi |
| Plato | city | 242 | $91,250 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Biscay | city | 138 | $138,750 | n/a | 0 mi |
Regional comparison for McLeod County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (17 to 34 miles). Income ranges from $70,625 in Renville County to $125,946 in Carver County; 2 of these neighbors top McLeod County's median.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McLeod County | - | $80,084 | $941/mo | 77% |
| Sibley County, MN | 17 mi | $77,634 | $855/mo | 81% |
| Carver County, MN | 23 mi | $125,946 | $1,514/mo | 81% |
| Meeker County, MN | 24 mi | $75,446 | $904/mo | 79% |
| Wright County, MN | 29 mi | $107,209 | $1,288/mo | 84% |
| Nicollet County, MN | 32 mi | $79,756 | $970/mo | 72% |
| Renville County, MN | 34 mi | $70,625 | $790/mo | 80% |
Debt-to-income at McLeod County's medians
How much room does a median McLeod 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, McLeod County: $6,674
- Less median rent of $941, which is 14% of it
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $1,462 left for all other debt payments
Two-income households and single earners in McLeod County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Local borrowing considerations for McLeod County
Where the McLeod County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
- Consolidating cards in McLeod County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
McLeod County residents: age, schooling, coverage
20% of McLeod County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 5.0% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | McLeod County | Minnesota | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.6 | 38.8 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.2% | 39.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.3% | 6.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.0% | 4.7% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.4% | 6.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.8% | 17.6% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 8.7% | 9.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.3% | 4.1% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 44.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 25.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.4% |
| 60+ min | 9.3% |
A McLeod County borrower's checklist
A short checklist for McLeod County borrowers:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one McLeod County-area credit union.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Minnesota borrowers.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Minnesota rules that apply in McLeod County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For McLeod County, check the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on Minnesota: Minnesota personal loans.
Related local guides
The Minnesota guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical McLeod County household make?
About $80,084 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 10% below the Minnesota median.
Is McLeod County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $941 against $1,280 statewide, and 40% of renter households are cost-burdened.
What are the biggest places in McLeod County?
By population: Hutchinson, Glencoe, Winsted, Lester Prairie, Silver Lake. The county has 9 Census places in all.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in McLeod County or elsewhere in Minnesota, the same rules apply.
Is there a McLeod County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Minnesota it is the Minnesota Department of Commerce.