1st Advantage MortgageNorman County households have a median income of $72,260 and median rent of $774 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Norman County at a glance
- Income in Norman County compared with Minnesota
- Employment and commuting in Norman County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Norman County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Norman County
- The counties around Norman County
- Room for a loan payment in Norman County
- More Norman County figures
- Reading the Norman County data as a borrower
- Checklist for Norman County applicants
- Checking a lender's license in Minnesota
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Norman County at a glance
Norman County is home to about 6,367 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 78th most populous of 87 county-level areas in Minnesota. It covers 873 square miles of land, or about 7 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Norman County is not part of any metropolitan area. Ada is the biggest of its 8 Census places, at roughly 1,833 people (29% of the county total). With so few households sampled, Norman County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Income in Norman County compared with Minnesota
At $72,260, the typical Norman County household income is 10% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 54th of 87.
| Band | Norman County | Compared with Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 21.3% | +4.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.4% | +8.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 27.8% | -3.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.5% | -9.3 pts |
About 21% of households earn under $35,000, while 32% clear $100,000. 10.1% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 9.3%). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Employment and commuting in Norman County
The biggest employer of Norman County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 26% of workers, followed by agriculture, forestry and mining (16%). The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 16% locally and 2% for Minnesota. The survey's unemployment rate for Norman County averages 5.3% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.1%). Long commutes are common here: 19% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Top industries | Norman County share | +/- vs Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.8% | 0.0 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 15.5% | +13.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.0% | +0.3 pts |
| Construction | 9.4% | +3.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 6.9% | -6.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 5.9% | +1.0 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Rent, home values and ownership in Norman County
A typical Norman County rental runs $774 a month including utilities, which is 40% below Minnesota. By the Census definition, 37% of Norman County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $147,100, or 2.0 years of median income. Owners occupy 79% of homes. The median home was built in 1959, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Norman County | Minnesota | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $774/mo | $1,280/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $147,100 | $329,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 37% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 17% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 3.8% | 2.9% | n/a |
Because most Norman 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.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Norman County
Here are the 8 most populous of the county's 8 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 64% of Norman County residents live in one of the 8. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $57,500 in Twin Valley to $66,250 in Halstad. Rent is cheapest in Halstad ($681) and steepest in Twin Valley ($786). This guide covers each of the 8 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ada | city | 1,833 | $64,091 | $746 | 3 mi |
| Twin Valley | city | 719 | $57,500 | $786 | 11 mi |
| Halstad | city | 509 | $66,250 | $681 | 17 mi |
| Gary | city | 268 | $83,750 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Hendrum | city | 240 | $57,500 | $913 | 17 mi |
| Shelly | city | 229 | $43,750 | $810 | 19 mi |
| Borup | city | 132 | $63,125 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Perley | city | 126 | $75,250 | n/a | 19 mi |
The counties around Norman County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (30 to 43 miles). Income ranges from $59,441 in Mahnomen County to $87,004 in Traill County; 4 of these neighbors top Norman County's median. The list crosses into North Dakota, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norman County | - | $72,260 | $774/mo | 79% |
| Clay County, MN | 30 mi | $81,172 | $1,019/mo | 66% |
| Mahnomen County, MN | 31 mi | $59,441 | $696/mo | 73% |
| Polk County, MN | 31 mi | $73,107 | $855/mo | 71% |
| Traill County, ND | 34 mi | $87,004 | $717/mo | 74% |
| Red Lake County, MN | 41 mi | $77,188 | $583/mo | 83% |
| Becker County, MN | 43 mi | $71,388 | $920/mo | 77% |
Room for a loan payment in Norman County
How much room does a median Norman County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $6,022 a month: gross income for a household at the Norman County median
- 13% goes to median rent ($774)
- At 36%, room after rent is $1,394 a month
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Norman County's.
More Norman County figures
Degree holders: 23% of adults over 25. 6.5% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Norman County | Minnesota | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.8 | 38.8 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 22.8% | 39.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.3% | 6.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.5% | 4.7% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.1% | 6.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.8% | 17.6% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 10.1% | 9.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.3% | 4.1% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Norman County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 45.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 23.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.9% |
| 60+ min | 11.1% |
Reading the Norman County data as a borrower
A few patterns in the Norman County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Long drives. With 19% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Norman County budgets.
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Checklist for Norman County applicants
Before you apply, wherever you live in Norman County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Checking a lender's license in Minnesota
Before sharing details with a lender, a Norman County resident can confirm its license with 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
The Minnesota guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Norman County household make?
About $72,260 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 19% below the Minnesota median.
What do renters pay in Norman County?
$774 a month at the median, about 13% of median household income.
Should Norman County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 79% of Norman County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Does this page cover Ada?
Yes, along with the other 7 Census places in Norman County, such as Twin Valley, Halstad, Gary.
Can Norman 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.