1st Advantage MortgagePipestone County households have a median income of $69,628 and median rent of $754 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
- Who lives in Pipestone County
- Household income in Pipestone County
- The Pipestone County job picture
- Housing costs in Pipestone County
- Counties near Pipestone County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Pipestone County
- Room for a loan payment in Pipestone County
- More Pipestone County figures
- Reading the Pipestone County data as a borrower
- Checklist for Pipestone County applicants
- Lender oversight for Pipestone County
- More guides for Pipestone County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Pipestone County
With an estimated 9,284 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Pipestone County ranks 72nd of 87 in Minnesota for population. It covers 465 square miles of land, or about 20 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Pipestone County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 9 places in the county (9 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Pipestone, with about 4,129 residents, or 44% of the county. Because Pipestone County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Household income in Pipestone County
Half of Pipestone County households take in less than $69,628 a year and half take in more, 22% below the Minnesota median of $89,062. Only 69 Minnesota counties post a higher median.
| Income band | Share in Pipestone County | Difference from Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 22.4% | +5.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.4% | +8.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.1% | -5.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.1% | -7.7 pts |
About 22% of households earn under $35,000, while 31% clear $100,000. Census counts 10.5% of Pipestone County residents in poverty, against 9.3% across Minnesota. A household earning below the $69,628 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
The Pipestone County job picture
Education and health care employs 23% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 11%. Compared with Minnesota, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (10% against 2%). The survey's unemployment rate for Pipestone County averages 3.2% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.1%). About 77% drive to work alone and 9% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Where residents work | Pipestone County | Difference from Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.8% | -3.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.3% | -2.1 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 10.4% | +8.4 pts |
| Construction | 10.0% | +3.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.4% | -1.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.4% | -0.7 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Housing costs in Pipestone County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $754 in Pipestone County versus $1,280 statewide. 48% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 24% spend half or more. With a median value of $140,200, a typical Pipestone County house costs 2.0 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 81% of homes. Median construction year: 1956.
| Cost | Pipestone County | Minnesota figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $754/mo | $1,280/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $140,200 | $329,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 81% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 16% | 23% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 8% | 9% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Pipestone 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.
Counties near Pipestone County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (21 to 34 miles). Income ranges from $66,101 in Nobles County to $78,427 in Moody County; 5 of these neighbors top Pipestone County's median. Some neighbors are in South Dakota. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Pipestone County resident follows Minnesota rules.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pipestone County | - | $69,628 | $754/mo | 81% |
| Moody County, SD | 21 mi | $78,427 | $758/mo | 73% |
| Rock County, MN | 24 mi | $71,295 | $698/mo | 77% |
| Murray County, MN | 25 mi | $74,033 | $810/mo | 82% |
| Lincoln County, MN | 27 mi | $69,694 | $674/mo | 81% |
| Nobles County, MN | 34 mi | $66,101 | $896/mo | 74% |
| Lyon County, MN | 34 mi | $75,303 | $781/mo | 72% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Pipestone County
9 Census places fall mainly inside Pipestone County; the 9 biggest are below. They account for 6,953 residents, leaving about 25% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Edgerton has the highest median household income on the list ($68,894) and Jasper the lowest ($50,446), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $723 in Jasper to $825 in Edgerton. This guide covers each of the 9 places and the rural areas around them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pipestone | city | 4,129 | $67,568 | $740 | 3 mi |
| Edgerton | city | 1,104 | $68,894 | $825 | 12 mi |
| Jasper | city | 818 | $50,446 | $723 | 14 mi |
| Holland | city | 292 | $82,794 | $830 | 6 mi |
| Ruthton | city | 222 | $38,864 | $625 | 14 mi |
| Woodstock | city | 200 | $58,785 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Ihlen | city | 91 | $66,103 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Trosky | city | 51 | $58,750 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Hatfield | city | 46 | $88,333 | n/a | 5 mi |
Room for a loan payment in Pipestone County
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Pipestone County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,802 before taxes
- Median rent: $754, or 13 cents of every gross dollar
- $1,741: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
If your rent is above $754, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
More Pipestone County figures
College graduates make up 22% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 5.3%, against 4.7% for Minnesota.
| Indicator | Pipestone County | All of Minnesota | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.4 | 38.8 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 21.8% | 39.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.9% | 6.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.3% | 4.7% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.0% | 6.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.1% | 17.6% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 10.5% | 9.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.2% | 4.1% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Pipestone County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 58.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 22.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 9.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.9% |
| 60+ min | 4.5% |
Reading the Pipestone County data as a borrower
Where the Pipestone County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Tight rental budgets. With 48% of Pipestone County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
Checklist for Pipestone County applicants
Before you apply, wherever you live in Pipestone County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Verify the Minnesota license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Lender oversight for Pipestone 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. The Minnesota guide covers state rules in more detail.
More guides for Pipestone County
For statewide rules and data, see the Minnesota guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Pipestone County earn?
The median is $69,628; 31% earn $100,000 or more and 22% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Pipestone County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $754 a month; 48% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Pipestone County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 81% of Pipestone 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 Pipestone?
Yes, along with the other 8 Census places in Pipestone County, such as Edgerton, Jasper, Holland.
Can Pipestone 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.