1st Advantage MortgagePennington County households have a median income of $77,325 and median rent of $862 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Minnesota license first.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Pennington County
- The Pennington County job picture
- How much Pennington County households make
- Housing costs in Pennington County
- Places inside Pennington County
- Pennington County and the counties next door
- Who lives in Pennington County, in numbers
- Reading the Pennington County data as a borrower
- Debt-to-income at Pennington County's medians
- Checklist for Pennington County applicants
- Licensing and complaints for Pennington County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Pennington County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Pennington County's population at 13,791; only 59 of Minnesota's 87 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 617 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 22 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Pennington County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 3 Census places inside Pennington County, Thief River Falls leads by population with about 8,823; 3 of the 3 are incorporated.
The Pennington County job picture
Wholesale trade employs 20% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 17%. The sharpest difference from the state is in wholesale trade, at 20% locally and 2% for Minnesota. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 2.9% in Pennington County. About 75% drive to work alone and 5% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Pennington County | Gap to Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Wholesale trade | 19.9% | +17.4 pts |
| Education and health care | 17.4% | -8.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 16.5% | +3.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.4% | +3.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.5% | -0.6 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 4.6% | +2.5 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
How much Pennington County households make
At $77,325, the typical Pennington County household income is 18% above the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Band | Pennington County | Compared with Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 21.4% | +4.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.3% | +2.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 32.9% | +2.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.4% | -8.4 pts |
The spread is wide: 38% of Pennington County households make $100,000 or more, and 21% make less than $35,000. Census counts 10.5% of Pennington County residents in poverty, against 9.3% across Minnesota. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.413 (0 is perfect equality). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Housing costs in Pennington County
Renters in Pennington County pay a median of $862 a month, 33% below the Minnesota figure of $1,280. By the Census definition, 35% of Pennington County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $195,500, a typical Pennington County house costs 2.5 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 72% of homes. The median home was built in 1974, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Home costs | Pennington County | Minnesota | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $862/mo | $1,280/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $195,500 | $329,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 72% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 35% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 8.9% | 2.9% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Pennington 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.
Places inside Pennington County
The table lists the 3 largest of 3 Census places in Pennington County, by population. Together all 3 hold about 9,131 people, so roughly 34% of residents live outside any named place. Live in one of these Pennington County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thief River Falls | city | 8,823 | $71,144 | $838 | 7 mi |
| St. Hilaire | city | 259 | $75,000 | $1,056 | 9 mi |
| Goodridge | city | 49 | $41,042 | n/a | 12 mi |
Pennington County and the counties next door
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (14 to 50 miles). Red Lake County leads the group on income ($77,188), Clearwater County trails ($64,475), and Pennington County out-earns 6 of the six.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennington County | - | $77,325 | $862/mo | 72% |
| Red Lake County, MN | 14 mi | $77,188 | $583/mo | 83% |
| Marshall County, MN | 25 mi | $72,543 | $690/mo | 83% |
| Polk County, MN | 26 mi | $73,107 | $855/mo | 71% |
| Clearwater County, MN | 46 mi | $64,475 | $742/mo | 80% |
| Roseau County, MN | 49 mi | $74,474 | $880/mo | 79% |
| Beltrami County, MN | 50 mi | $68,975 | $1,053/mo | 70% |
Who lives in Pennington County, in numbers
Degree holders: 21% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 4.8%, against 4.7% for Minnesota.
| Residents | Pennington County | Minnesota | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.6 | 38.8 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 21.0% | 39.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.2% | 6.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.8% | 4.7% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.7% | 6.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.9% | 17.6% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 10.5% | 9.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.9% | 4.1% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Pennington County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 73.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 17.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 4.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.3% |
| 60+ min | 2.4% |
Reading the Pennington County data as a borrower
Based on the Pennington County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
Debt-to-income at Pennington County's medians
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Pennington County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Start: $6,444 gross per month ($77,325 / 12)
- Housing at the median rent of $862 uses 13%
- With a 35% ceiling, about $1,393 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- $2,038: what a 45% ratio leaves once rent is paid
If your rent is above $862, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Checklist for Pennington County applicants
Quick steps for Pennington County:
- Price the Pennington County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Pennington County-area credit union.
- A Minnesota license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Licensing and complaints for Pennington County
The Minnesota Department of Commerce is the place to verify any lender's Minnesota license. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. See the Minnesota state guide for the statewide picture.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Minnesota guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Pennington County earn?
The median is $77,325; 38% earn $100,000 or more and 21% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Pennington County rent compare with Minnesota?
$862 locally versus $1,280 for the state, 33% below.
What are the biggest places in Pennington County?
By population: Thief River Falls, St. Hilaire, Goodridge. The county has 3 Census places in all.
Can Pennington 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 Pennington County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Minnesota it is the Minnesota Department of Commerce.