1st Advantage MortgageNobles County households have a median income of $66,101 and median rent of $896 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Nobles County, MN: the basics
- How much Nobles County households make
- Rent, home values and ownership in Nobles County
- Employment and commuting in Nobles County
- Towns and communities in Nobles County
- Nobles County and the counties next door
- A Nobles County household budget, worked through
- Before borrowing in Nobles County
- People and households in Nobles County
- Checklist for Nobles County applicants
- Licensing and complaints for Nobles County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Nobles County, MN: the basics
With an estimated 22,041 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Nobles County ranks 44th of 87 in Minnesota for population. Land area is 715 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 31 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Nobles County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 12 Census places inside Nobles County, Worthington leads by population with about 13,780; 11 of the 12 are incorporated.
How much Nobles County households make
At $66,101, the typical Nobles County household income sits near the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 80th among Minnesota's 87 county-level areas.
| Band | Nobles County | Compared with Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.9% | +6.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.1% | +7.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.7% | -7.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.3% | -6.5 pts |
The spread is wide: 31% of Nobles County households make $100,000 or more, and 24% make less than $35,000. Census counts 14.0% of Nobles County residents in poverty, against 9.3% across Minnesota. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Rent, home values and ownership in Nobles County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $896 in Nobles County versus $1,280 statewide. By the Census definition, 42% of Nobles County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $197,200, about 3.0 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 74%. Median construction year: 1967.
| Housing | Nobles County | Minnesota statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $896/mo | $1,280/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $197,200 | $329,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 42% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 23% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 9% | 9% | n/a |
Because most Nobles 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 Nobles County
The biggest employer of Nobles County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 22% of workers, followed by manufacturing (21%). Manufacturing stands out: 21% of workers here, versus 13% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 3.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 10% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 6% work from home. 5.5% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Nobles County | Gap to Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.4% | -3.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 21.1% | +7.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.2% | -1.5 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 9.0% | +7.0 pts |
| Construction | 7.8% | +1.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 5.4% | -1.8 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Towns and communities in Nobles County
Here are the 12 most populous of the county's 12 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 81% of Nobles County residents live in one of the 12. Incomes vary by place: $82,583 at the median in Brewster, $61,797 in Worthington. Median rent ranges from $725 in Brewster to $950 in Adrian. Live in one of these Nobles County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worthington | city | 13,780 | $61,797 | $938 | 9 mi |
| Adrian | city | 1,236 | $73,438 | $950 | 9 mi |
| Brewster | city | 687 | $82,583 | $725 | 15 mi |
| Ellsworth | city | 428 | $56,875 | $625 | 17 mi |
| Rushmore | city | 362 | $44,375 | $905 | 4 mi |
| Round Lake | city | 333 | $71,667 | n/a | 18 mi |
| Bigelow | city | 297 | $58,359 | $1,545 | 12 mi |
| Wilmont | city | 280 | $60,179 | $843 | 7 mi |
| Lismore | city | 233 | $58,603 | $1,200 | 10 mi |
| Leota | CDP | 169 | $83,125 | n/a | 17 mi |
| Dundee | city | 79 | $52,500 | n/a | 19 mi |
| Kinbrae | city | 2 | n/a | n/a | 17 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Nobles County and the counties next door
Osceola County is closest, 22 miles from center to center; the sixth, Pipestone County, is 34 miles off. Lyon County leads the group on income ($76,746), Osceola County trails ($69,239), and Nobles County out-earns 0 of the six. The list crosses into Iowa, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nobles County | - | $66,101 | $896/mo | 74% |
| Osceola County, IA | 22 mi | $69,239 | $797/mo | 78% |
| Murray County, MN | 23 mi | $74,033 | $810/mo | 82% |
| Rock County, MN | 25 mi | $71,295 | $698/mo | 77% |
| Lyon County, IA | 30 mi | $76,746 | $843/mo | 81% |
| Jackson County, MN | 31 mi | $75,743 | $787/mo | 80% |
| Pipestone County, MN | 34 mi | $69,628 | $754/mo | 81% |
A Nobles County household budget, worked through
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Nobles County's medians:
- Start: $5,508 gross per month ($66,101 / 12)
- Rent at the median, $896, takes 16% of that
- Under a 36% cap, $1,983 total minus rent leaves $1,087
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,473 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Before borrowing in Nobles County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Nobles County borrowers.
- Uninsured care. 13% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Nobles County borrower sees (free reports).
People and households in Nobles County
College graduates make up 18% of the adult population. 12.5% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Nobles County | Minnesota | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.7 | 38.8 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.9% | 39.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 20.5% | 6.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.5% | 4.7% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.5% | 6.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.4% | 17.6% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.0% | 9.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.2% | 4.1% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 59.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 20.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 11.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.0% |
| 60+ min | 5.8% |
Checklist for Nobles County applicants
Quick steps for Nobles County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Licensing and complaints for Nobles County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Nobles County borrowers answers to the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. See the Minnesota state guide for the statewide picture.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Minnesota guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Nobles County earn?
The median is $66,101; 31% earn $100,000 or more and 24% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Nobles County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $896 against $1,280 statewide, and 42% of renter households are cost-burdened.
What are the biggest places in Nobles County?
By population: Worthington, Adrian, Brewster, Ellsworth, Rushmore. The county has 12 Census places in all.
Does living in Nobles 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 Nobles County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Nobles County?
Start with the Minnesota Department of Commerce, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.