1st Advantage Mortgage35% of Otter Tail County households earn $100,000 or more; the median is $72,255 (ACS 2020-24). 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
- Who lives in Otter Tail County
- Otter Tail County against other Minnesota counties
- Otter Tail County housing compared with Minnesota
- Otter Tail County income bands
- The Otter Tail County job picture
- Fergus Falls and the rest of Otter Tail County
- Counties near Otter Tail County
- Otter Tail County demographics against Minnesota
- Debt-to-income, Otter Tail County edition
- Before borrowing in Otter Tail County
- Minnesota lender licensing
- Before you sign
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Otter Tail County
With an estimated 60,475 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Otter Tail County ranks 17th of 87 in Minnesota for population. Its 1,972 square miles average 31 people per square mile, by the 2024 Census Gazetteer. Metro status: none; Otter Tail County sits outside the 2023 OMB metro areas. The Census Bureau counts 20 places in the county (20 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Fergus Falls, with about 14,181 residents, or 23% of the county.
Otter Tail County against other Minnesota counties
Where Otter Tail County lands at the extremes of Minnesota's county rankings:
- Few Minnesota counties match Otter Tail County on the housing vacancy rate: 31% here, 9% for the state, ranking 7th highest of 87. Many empty units can point to seasonal housing.
- Median age: 46.2 in Otter Tail County. Only 12 of 87 Minnesota counties are higher. Older borrowers often rely on fixed incomes, so a fixed payment helps.
- On the ACS unemployment rate, Otter Tail County sits near the top of Minnesota at 4.8%, 16th highest of 87. Job gaps can make income hard to document; gather records first.
Otter Tail County housing compared with Minnesota
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $868 in Otter Tail County versus $1,280 statewide. By the Census definition, 42% of Otter Tail County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $273,000, a typical Otter Tail County house costs 3.8 times what the median household earns in a year. In Otter Tail County, 79% of occupied homes are owned by the people living in them.
| Home costs | Otter Tail County | Minnesota | Compared with Minnesota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vacant units | 31% | 9% | +22.1 pts |
| Owners | 79% | 72% | +7.3 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 42% | 48% | -5.6 pts |
| Median gross rent | $868/mo | $1,280/mo | 32% lower |
| Median home value | $273,000 | $329,300 | 17% lower |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 23% | +0.9 pts |
At a $273,000 median value, many Otter Tail County owners hold equity. Using it lowers cost only if you can carry the risk (equity vs. unsecured).
Otter Tail County income bands
Half of Otter Tail County households take in less than $72,255 a year and half take in more, 19% below the Minnesota median of $89,062.
| Households earning | Otter Tail County | +/- vs Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 22.4% | +5.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.4% | +4.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 27.8% | -3.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.4% | -6.5 pts |
Some 22% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 35% have six-figure incomes. Otter Tail County counts about 5,277 residents below the poverty line, 8.7% of the population. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.433 (0 is perfect equality). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Otter Tail County median.
The Otter Tail County job picture
Education and health care employs 25% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 13%. Relative to Minnesota (2%), agriculture, forestry and mining is 3 points bigger in Otter Tail County (5%). The survey's unemployment rate for Otter Tail County averages 4.8% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.1%). 11% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 10% work from home. 5.6% of households have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | Otter Tail County | Difference from Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.4% | -0.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 13.0% | -0.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.9% | +1.2 pts |
| Construction | 8.2% | +1.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.5% | -3.0 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 5.7% | +0.8 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Fergus Falls and the rest of Otter Tail County
20 Census places fall mainly inside Otter Tail County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 27,203 residents, leaving about 55% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Gap between richest and poorest larger place: $18,417, Pelican Rapids over Henning. Rent is cheapest in New York Mills ($727) and steepest in Battle Lake ($1,052). Live in one of these Otter Tail County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fergus Falls | city | 14,181 | $56,162 | $911 | 19 mi |
| Perham | city | 3,627 | $49,716 | $855 | 15 mi |
| Pelican Rapids | city | 2,586 | $63,917 | n/a | 21 mi |
| New York Mills | city | 1,371 | $56,875 | $727 | 18 mi |
| Parkers Prairie | city | 980 | $57,578 | $769 | 25 mi |
| Henning | city | 860 | $45,500 | $797 | 14 mi |
| Battle Lake | city | 786 | $59,375 | $1,052 | 8 mi |
| Ottertail | city | 490 | $80,500 | $1,150 | 7 mi |
| Underwood | city | 461 | $75,000 | $925 | 11 mi |
| Deer Creek | city | 330 | $52,273 | $381 | 19 mi |
| Bluffton | city | 263 | $100,417 | $825 | 23 mi |
| Vergas | city | 258 | $72,917 | $750 | 17 mi |
| Dent | city | 230 | $52,500 | $842 | 10 mi |
| Dalton | city | 223 | $68,659 | $755 | 19 mi |
Counties near Otter Tail County
Six nearby counties, 35 to 45 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Richest neighbor: Douglas County, $79,043. Poorest: Wadena County, $61,467. Otter Tail County: $72,255.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otter Tail County | - | $72,255 | $868/mo | 79% |
| Douglas County, MN | 35 mi | $79,043 | $927/mo | 76% |
| Grant County, MN | 36 mi | $73,917 | $797/mo | 79% |
| Wilkin County, MN | 36 mi | $71,410 | $564/mo | 80% |
| Wadena County, MN | 37 mi | $61,467 | $746/mo | 74% |
| Becker County, MN | 37 mi | $71,388 | $920/mo | 77% |
| Todd County, MN | 45 mi | $67,662 | $908/mo | 83% |
Otter Tail County demographics against Minnesota
College graduates make up 28% of the adult population. Health coverage gaps: 5.6% of Otter Tail County residents are uninsured.
| People and households | Otter Tail County | Compared with Minnesota | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.2 | +7.4 yrs | +4.7 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 28.3% | -11.1 pts | +6.2 pts |
| No high school diploma | 5.6% | -0.5 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.6% | +0.9 pts | -2.3 pts |
| No vehicle | 5.6% | -1.1 pts | +0.2 pts |
| Work from home | 10.4% | -7.2 pts | +1.8 pts |
| Poverty rate | 8.7% | -0.6 pts | -4.5 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.8% | +0.7 pts | +0.4 pts |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 45.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 29.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.9% |
| 60+ min | 6.1% |
Debt-to-income, Otter Tail County edition
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Otter Tail County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $6,021 a month: gross income for a household at the Otter Tail County median
- Less median rent of $868, which is 14% of it
- With a 36% ceiling, about $1,300 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Two-income households and single earners in Otter Tail County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Before borrowing in Otter Tail County
- Age 46.2 at the median. Many Otter Tail County applicants document income with award letters; ask about early payoff.
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Otter Tail County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
Minnesota lender licensing
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Otter Tail County, check the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. The Minnesota guide covers state rules in more detail.
Before you sign
A short checklist for Otter Tail County borrowers:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Otter Tail County.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Related local guides
Next step up from Otter Tail County:
Frequently asked questions
Is $72,255 a good income in Otter Tail County?
It is the county median, so half of Otter Tail County households earn more and half less; 35% earn $100,000 or more.
How much is rent in Otter Tail County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $868 a month; 42% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Otter Tail County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 79% of Otter Tail County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Is Urbank covered?
Yes. Urbank is one of 20 Census places in Otter Tail County, and this guide covers all of them.
Can Otter Tail 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.