1st Advantage MortgageMorrison County households have a median income of $69,446 and median rent of $788 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Morrison County by the numbers
- Housing costs in Morrison County
- Income in Morrison County compared with Minnesota
- Employment and commuting in Morrison County
- Places inside Morrison County
- Morrison County next to its neighbors
- Budget math at the Morrison County median
- Before borrowing in Morrison County
- Morrison County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- A Morrison County borrower's checklist
- Lender oversight for Morrison County
- More guides for Morrison County
- Frequently asked questions
Morrison County by the numbers
Morrison County is home to about 34,249 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 33rd most populous of 87 county-level areas in Minnesota. Spread over 1,125 square miles, that works out to roughly 30.4 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Morrison County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 15 Census places inside Morrison County, Little Falls leads by population with about 9,121; 15 of the 15 are incorporated.
Housing costs in Morrison County
Renters in Morrison County pay a median of $788 a month, 38% below the Minnesota figure of $1,280. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 37% of renter households here. Home values center on $248,500, or 3.6 years of median income. 81% of Morrison County households own their home and 19% rent.
| Cost | Morrison County | Minnesota figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $788/mo | $1,280/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $248,500 | $329,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 81% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 37% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 30% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 5.5% | 2.9% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 13% | 9% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Morrison 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.
Income in Morrison County compared with Minnesota
The median household income in Morrison County is $69,446; statewide it is $89,062, so Morrison County runs 22% below Minnesota as a whole.
| Band | Morrison County | Compared with Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.3% | +7.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.5% | +4.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.8% | -4.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.4% | -7.4 pts |
About 24% of households earn under $35,000, while 33% clear $100,000. 11.0% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 9.3%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.435 (0 is perfect equality). A household earning below the $69,446 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Employment and commuting in Morrison County
By the Census industry count, 23% of employed Morrison County residents work in education and health care and 14% in manufacturing. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 5% of workers here, versus 2% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.0% in Morrison County. About 79% drive to work alone and 19% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 4.8% of the total (6.7% statewide).
| Sector | Morrison County | Compared with Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.4% | -2.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 14.0% | +0.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.8% | +0.1 pts |
| Construction | 9.3% | +2.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.7% | -2.9 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.5% | +1.5 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Morrison County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Places inside Morrison County
The table lists the 14 largest of 15 Census places in Morrison County, by population. Together all 15 hold about 15,021 people, so roughly 56% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $55,859 at the median in Randall, $47,222 in Motley. This guide covers each of the 15 places and the rural areas around them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Falls | city | 9,121 | $47,863 | $747 | 5 mi |
| Pierz | city | 1,424 | $52,500 | $946 | 9 mi |
| Royalton | city | 1,211 | $55,156 | $600 | 13 mi |
| Randall | city | 695 | $55,859 | $681 | 12 mi |
| Motley | city | 608 | $47,222 | $653 | 28 mi |
| Upsala | city | 417 | $52,625 | $833 | 20 mi |
| Buckman | city | 339 | $102,188 | $825 | 12 mi |
| Bowlus | city | 278 | $77,708 | $742 | 15 mi |
| Flensburg | city | 199 | $108,750 | $638 | 14 mi |
| Sobieski | city | 192 | $76,250 | $1,000 | 12 mi |
| Elmdale | city | 172 | $133,750 | n/a | 17 mi |
| Harding | city | 169 | $50,000 | n/a | 13 mi |
| Lastrup | city | 88 | $98,333 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Genola | city | 81 | $81,172 | $1,703 | 8 mi |
Morrison County next to its neighbors
Benton County is closest, 25 miles from center to center; the sixth, Sherburne County, is 46 miles off. 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Morrison County; Sherburne County is highest at $105,466 and Todd County lowest at $67,662.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morrison County | - | $69,446 | $788/mo | 81% |
| Benton County, MN | 25 mi | $74,410 | $982/mo | 67% |
| Todd County, MN | 31 mi | $67,662 | $908/mo | 83% |
| Mille Lacs County, MN | 31 mi | $72,729 | $903/mo | 78% |
| Crow Wing County, MN | 34 mi | $72,589 | $971/mo | 77% |
| Stearns County, MN | 36 mi | $77,066 | $1,068/mo | 68% |
| Sherburne County, MN | 46 mi | $105,466 | $1,127/mo | 83% |
Budget math at the Morrison County median
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Morrison County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Start: $5,787 gross per month ($69,446 / 12)
- Rent at the median, $788, takes 14% of that
- With a 36% ceiling, about $1,295 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- $1,700: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
If your rent is above $788, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Before borrowing in Morrison County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Morrison County borrowers.
- Keeping the car running. At 19% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Morrison County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Morrison County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
Morrison County residents: age, schooling, coverage
19% of Morrison County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 3.9%, against 4.7% for Minnesota.
| Measure | Morrison County | Minnesota statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.5 | 38.8 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 18.9% | 39.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.2% | 6.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 3.9% | 4.7% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.8% | 6.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.7% | 17.6% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.0% | 9.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.0% | 4.1% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 31.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 25.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 23.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.6% |
| 60+ min | 9.6% |
A Morrison County borrower's checklist
Before you apply, wherever you live in Morrison County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Morrison County.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Lender oversight for Morrison County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Morrison County, check the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on Minnesota: Minnesota personal loans.
More guides for Morrison County
For statewide rules and data, see the Minnesota guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Morrison County earn?
The median is $69,446; 33% earn $100,000 or more and 24% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Morrison County rent compare with Minnesota?
$788 locally versus $1,280 for the state, 38% below.
Which towns does the Morrison County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 15 Census places: Little Falls, Pierz, Royalton, Randall, Motley.
Can Morrison 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.
Is there a Morrison County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Minnesota it is the Minnesota Department of Commerce.