1st Advantage MortgageThe median Meeker County household earns $75,446, and 9% 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 Meeker County
- How much Meeker County households make
- Jobs and commutes in Meeker County
- Renting and owning in Meeker County
- Meeker County next to its neighbors
- Places inside Meeker County
- Who lives in Meeker County, in numbers
- Before borrowing in Meeker County
- Room for a loan payment in Meeker County
- Checklist for Meeker County applicants
- Lender oversight for Meeker County
- More guides for Meeker County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Meeker County
Meeker County is home to about 23,468 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 43rd most populous of 87 county-level areas in Minnesota. Land area is 608 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 39 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Of the 9 Census places inside Meeker County, Litchfield leads by population with about 6,576; 9 of the 9 are incorporated.
How much Meeker County households make
Half of Meeker County households take in less than $75,446 a year and half take in more, 15% below the Minnesota median of $89,062. In the state ranking that is 38th of 87.
| Household income | Meeker County | vs Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 20.3% | +3.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.6% | +5.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 30.2% | -0.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.0% | -7.8 pts |
About 20% of households earn under $35,000, while 36% clear $100,000. Census counts 9.1% of Meeker County residents in poverty, against 9.3% across Minnesota. A household earning below the $75,446 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Jobs and commutes in Meeker County
By the Census industry count, 22% of employed Meeker County residents work in education and health care and 22% in manufacturing. Manufacturing stands out: 22% of workers here, versus 13% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Meeker County averages 3.2% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.1%). 16% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 8% work from home.
| Where residents work | Meeker County | Difference from Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.0% | -3.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 21.7% | +8.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.6% | -0.1 pts |
| Construction | 9.9% | +3.6 pts |
| Other services | 5.9% | +1.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 5.3% | +0.4 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Renting and owning in Meeker County
A typical Meeker County rental runs $904 a month including utilities, which is 29% below Minnesota. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 46% of renter households here. Home values center on $249,000, or 3.3 years of median income. 79% of Meeker County households own their home and 21% rent.
| Meeker County | Minnesota | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $904/mo | $1,280/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $249,000 | $329,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 4.9% | 2.9% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 13% | 9% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Meeker County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Meeker County next to its neighbors
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Meeker County's, from 23 to 41 miles away. 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Meeker County; Wright County is highest at $107,209 and Renville County lowest at $70,625.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meeker County | - | $75,446 | $904/mo | 79% |
| Kandiyohi County, MN | 23 mi | $76,592 | $909/mo | 73% |
| McLeod County, MN | 24 mi | $80,084 | $941/mo | 77% |
| Wright County, MN | 28 mi | $107,209 | $1,288/mo | 84% |
| Stearns County, MN | 30 mi | $77,066 | $1,068/mo | 68% |
| Renville County, MN | 35 mi | $70,625 | $790/mo | 80% |
| Sibley County, MN | 41 mi | $77,634 | $855/mo | 81% |
Places inside Meeker County
9 Census places fall mainly inside Meeker County; the 9 biggest are below. They account for 11,655 residents, leaving about 50% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Eden Valley has the highest median household income on the list ($67,917) and Grove City the lowest ($53,839), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $685 in Cosmos to $987 in Litchfield. This guide covers each of the 9 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Litchfield | city | 6,576 | $54,875 | $987 | 0 mi |
| Dassel | city | 1,358 | $59,946 | $866 | 11 mi |
| Eden Valley | city | 1,002 | $67,917 | $922 | 14 mi |
| Grove City | city | 814 | $53,839 | $822 | 8 mi |
| Watkins | city | 765 | $64,896 | $808 | 14 mi |
| Cosmos | city | 536 | $56,635 | $685 | 15 mi |
| Darwin | city | 358 | $70,000 | $791 | 5 mi |
| Kingston | city | 206 | $100,357 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Cedar Mills | city | 40 | $57,500 | n/a | 12 mi |
Who lives in Meeker County, in numbers
Degree holders: 20% of adults over 25. About 7% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Meeker County | Minnesota | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.2 | 38.8 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.9% | 39.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.2% | 6.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.6% | 4.7% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.2% | 6.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.0% | 17.6% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 9.1% | 9.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.2% | 4.1% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Meeker County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 39.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 27.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.7% |
| 60+ min | 10.4% |
Before borrowing in Meeker County
Where the Meeker County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Tight rental budgets. With 46% of Meeker County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
- Consolidating cards in Meeker County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Room for a loan payment in Meeker County
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Meeker County's medians:
- Start: $6,287 gross per month ($75,446 / 12)
- Less median rent of $904, which is 14% of it
- With a 40% ceiling, about $1,611 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
If your rent is above $904, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Checklist for Meeker County applicants
Quick steps for Meeker County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Minnesota borrowers.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Lender oversight for Meeker County
Meeker County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Minnesota Department of Commerce. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. Statewide data and rules: Minnesota guide.
More guides for Meeker County
For statewide rules and data, see the Minnesota guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Meeker County?
$75,446 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $89,062 for Minnesota. It ranks 38th of 87 in the state.
What do renters pay in Meeker County?
$904 a month at the median, about 14% of median household income.
I own my home in Meeker County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 79% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
I live in a small Meeker County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Litchfield, Dassel, Eden Valley, Grove City, Watkins and 4 more.
Can Meeker 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.