1st Advantage MortgageThe median Olmsted County household earns $95,406, and 7% 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
- Who lives in Olmsted County
- Renting and owning in Olmsted County
- Household income in Olmsted County
- Work, industries and travel time in Olmsted County
- Places inside Olmsted County
- Olmsted County next to its neighbors
- Debt-to-income at Olmsted County's medians
- Olmsted County households compared
- Local borrowing considerations for Olmsted County
- Checklist for Olmsted County applicants
- Who licenses lenders for Olmsted County residents
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Olmsted County
Olmsted County is home to about 164,498 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 7th most populous of 87 county-level areas in Minnesota. Packed into 654 square miles, that is close to 252 residents for every square mile of land. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Rochester, MN metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 8 places in the county (6 incorporated, 2 census-designated); the largest is Rochester, with about 122,330 residents, or 74% of the county.
Renting and owning in Olmsted County
A typical Olmsted County rental runs $1,370 a month including utilities, which is 7% above Minnesota. 48% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 21% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $331,700, about 3.5 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 71%.
| Cost | Olmsted County | Minnesota figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,370/mo | $1,280/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $331,700 | $329,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 71% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 19% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 2.6% | 2.9% | n/a |
Household income in Olmsted County
Half of Olmsted County households take in less than $95,406 a year and half take in more, 7% above the Minnesota median of $89,062.
| Yearly household income | Olmsted County | Gap to Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 14.8% | -2.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 36.8% | -1.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 31.6% | +0.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 16.7% | +2.9 pts |
About 15% of households earn under $35,000, while 48% clear $100,000. Census counts 7.5% of Olmsted County residents in poverty, against 9.3% across Minnesota. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.464 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Olmsted County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Work, industries and travel time in Olmsted County
By the Census industry count, 48% of employed Olmsted County residents work in education and health care and 9% in retail trade. Education and health care stands out: 48% of workers here, versus 26% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 3.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 67% drive to work alone and 7% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 6.9% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Olmsted County | Gap to Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 48.3% | +22.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.8% | -1.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.7% | -2.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 7.1% | -6.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.3% | -0.8 pts |
| Construction | 5.5% | -0.9 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Places inside Olmsted 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 86% of Olmsted County residents live in one of the 8. Incomes vary by place: $157,500 at the median in Oronoco, $82,632 in Stewartville. Rent is cheapest in Eyota ($805) and steepest in Rochester ($1,399). None of the 8 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester | city | 122,330 | $89,389 | $1,399 | 4 mi |
| Stewartville | city | 6,807 | $82,632 | $1,070 | 10 mi |
| Byron | city | 6,646 | $124,010 | $1,135 | 12 mi |
| Eyota | city | 1,944 | $82,930 | $805 | 9 mi |
| Oronoco | city | 1,679 | $157,500 | $1,100 | 13 mi |
| Dover | city | 895 | $116,250 | $853 | 14 mi |
| Marion | CDP | 314 | n/a | n/a | 5 mi |
| High Forest | CDP | 124 | $128,750 | n/a | 13 mi |
Olmsted County next to its neighbors
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (22 to 32 miles). Income ranges from $70,744 in Winona County to $95,739 in Dodge County; 1 of these neighbors top Olmsted County's median.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olmsted County | - | $95,406 | $1,370/mo | 71% |
| Wabasha County, MN | 22 mi | $82,007 | $830/mo | 83% |
| Dodge County, MN | 23 mi | $95,739 | $1,020/mo | 87% |
| Fillmore County, MN | 27 mi | $77,512 | $797/mo | 83% |
| Mower County, MN | 29 mi | $73,074 | $927/mo | 78% |
| Winona County, MN | 31 mi | $70,744 | $907/mo | 69% |
| Goodhue County, MN | 32 mi | $84,171 | $966/mo | 79% |
Debt-to-income at Olmsted County's medians
Here is the Olmsted County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $7,950 a month: gross income for a household at the Olmsted County median
- Less median rent of $1,370, which is 17% of it
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $2,049 left for all other debt payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Olmsted County's.
Olmsted County households compared
College graduates make up 49% of the adult population. 3.6% of residents have no health coverage.
| Olmsted County | Minnesota | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.8 | 38.8 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 49.4% | 39.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 4.9% | 6.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 3.6% | 4.7% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.9% | 6.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 15.4% | 17.6% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 7.5% | 9.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.6% | 4.1% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 42.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 43.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 7.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.8% |
| 60+ min | 4.1% |
Local borrowing considerations for Olmsted County
What the Olmsted County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Higher earners. 48% of households clear $100,000; shop at least three lenders and pick the shortest term.
- Renters under pressure. When 48% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Checklist for Olmsted County applicants
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Minnesota.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Who licenses lenders for Olmsted County residents
Consumer lenders serving Olmsted County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Minnesota that is the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on Minnesota: Minnesota personal loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Minnesota guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Olmsted County a high-income county?
Its $95,406 median ranks 11th of 87 Minnesota counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Olmsted County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,370 a month; 48% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I live in a small Olmsted County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Rochester, Stewartville, Byron, Eyota, Oronoco and 3 more.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Olmsted County or elsewhere in Minnesota, the same rules apply.
Who regulates personal lenders for Olmsted County residents?
The Minnesota Department of Commerce licenses consumer lenders in Minnesota; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.