1st Advantage MortgageIn Pope County, Minnesota, the typical household earns $76,220 a year and the typical rent is $902. 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
- Pope County at a glance
- How Pope County residents earn a living
- What Pope County households earn
- Renting and owning in Pope County
- Pope County and the counties next door
- Towns and communities in Pope County
- Pope County households compared
- Local borrowing considerations for Pope County
- What a median Pope County budget can carry
- Minnesota rules that apply in Pope County
- A Pope County borrower's checklist
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Pope County at a glance
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Pope County's population at 11,418; only 63 of Minnesota's 87 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 675 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 17 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Pope County is not part of any metropolitan area. Glenwood is the biggest of its 10 Census places, at roughly 2,633 people (23% of the county total).
How Pope County residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 22% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 17%. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 9% locally and 2% for Minnesota. Averaged over the five survey years, 1.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 73% drive to work alone and 10% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Top industries | Pope County share | +/- vs Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.3% | -3.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 16.9% | +3.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.7% | -1.0 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 8.7% | +6.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.3% | -3.3 pts |
| Construction | 7.0% | +0.6 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
What Pope County households earn
At $76,220, the typical Pope County household income is 16% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 33rd of 87.
| Household income | Pope County | vs Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.6% | +6.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.4% | +2.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 28.7% | -2.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.4% | -6.5 pts |
About 24% of households earn under $35,000, while 36% clear $100,000. 9.4% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 9.3%). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Pope County median.
Renting and owning in Pope County
A typical Pope County rental runs $902 a month including utilities, which is 30% below Minnesota. By the Census definition, 66% of Pope County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $255,100, or 3.3 years of median income. Owners occupy 84% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1971.
| Cost | Pope County | Minnesota figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $902/mo | $1,280/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $255,100 | $329,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 84% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 66% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 26% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 2.7% | 2.9% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 23% | 9% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Pope 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. When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
Pope County and the counties next door
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (24 to 39 miles). 2 of the six report a higher median household income than Pope County; Douglas County is highest at $79,043 and Swift County lowest at $60,412.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pope County | - | $76,220 | $902/mo | 84% |
| Douglas County, MN | 24 mi | $79,043 | $927/mo | 76% |
| Swift County, MN | 25 mi | $60,412 | $920/mo | 72% |
| Stevens County, MN | 26 mi | $75,733 | $951/mo | 63% |
| Grant County, MN | 36 mi | $73,917 | $797/mo | 79% |
| Kandiyohi County, MN | 37 mi | $76,592 | $909/mo | 73% |
| Chippewa County, MN | 39 mi | $71,458 | $869/mo | 72% |
Towns and communities in Pope County
The table lists the 10 largest of 10 Census places in Pope County, by population. Together all 10 hold about 5,847 people, so roughly 49% of residents live outside any named place. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $42,188 in Glenwood to $72,583 in Starbuck. No Pope County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 10.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glenwood | city | 2,633 | $42,188 | $865 | 6 mi |
| Starbuck | city | 1,235 | $72,583 | $1,000 | 4 mi |
| Brooten | city | 602 | $48,250 | $661 | 17 mi |
| Cyrus | city | 355 | $57,083 | $679 | 14 mi |
| Lowry | city | 348 | $80,000 | $856 | 9 mi |
| Long Beach | city | 318 | $92,361 | n/a | 4 mi |
| Villard | city | 236 | $56,000 | $1,097 | 12 mi |
| Farwell | city | 43 | $59,792 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Sedan | city | 40 | $61,042 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Westport | city | 37 | $84,375 | n/a | 16 mi |
Pope County households compared
Degree holders: 24% of adults over 25. About 3% go without health insurance.
| Pope County | Minnesota | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.3 | 38.8 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 23.9% | 39.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 4.3% | 6.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 3.0% | 4.7% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.0% | 6.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 11.7% | 17.6% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 9.4% | 9.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.3% | 4.1% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Pope County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 39.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 33.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.1% |
| 60+ min | 6.8% |
Local borrowing considerations for Pope County
A few patterns in the Pope County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Retirees. At a median age of 45.3, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- Tight rental budgets. With 66% of Pope County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
What a median Pope County budget can carry
How much room does a median Pope County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Median income divided by twelve: $6,352 before taxes
- 14% goes to median rent ($902)
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,829 a month
Two-income households and single earners in Pope County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Minnesota rules that apply in Pope County
Consumer lenders serving Pope 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.
A Pope County borrower's checklist
Steps that save money for Pope County residents:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Pope County.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Verify the Minnesota license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Related local guides
The Minnesota guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Pope County?
$76,220 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $89,062 for Minnesota. It ranks 33rd of 87 in the state.
How much is rent in Pope County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $902 a month; 66% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Which towns does the Pope County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 10 Census places: Glenwood, Starbuck, Brooten, Cyrus, Lowry.
Can Pope 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.
Who regulates personal lenders for Pope 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.