1st Advantage MortgageThe median Roseau County household earns $74,474, and 12% 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
- A quick profile of Roseau County
- Where Roseau County differs from the rest of Minnesota
- Household income in Roseau County
- Where Roseau County households live
- Employment and commuting in Roseau County
- How Roseau County compares with nearby counties
- Roseau County towns compared
- Room for a loan payment in Roseau County
- Age, degrees and coverage in Roseau County
- Borrowing situations common in Roseau County
- Lender oversight for Roseau County
- Four steps for Roseau County borrowers
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Roseau County
Roseau County is home to about 15,302 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 55th most populous of 87 county-level areas in Minnesota. Land area is 1,672 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 9 per square mile. Metro status: none; Roseau County sits outside the 2023 OMB metro areas. Largest place: Roseau, about 2,736 residents (18% of Roseau County); 5 Census places in all.
Where Roseau County differs from the rest of Minnesota
Ranked against the other 86 county-level areas in Minnesota, these are the Roseau County figures furthest from the middle.
- Roseau County ranks 3rd highest of 87 Minnesota counties for the share of mobile homes: 14.5%, against 2.9% statewide. Repairs on manufactured homes are a common loan purpose; get written quotes.
- Few Minnesota counties match Roseau County on the share of renters paying 30% or more of income for rent: 34% here, 48% for the state, ranking 6th lowest of 87. Lower rent burdens mean more renters have slack, but test your own numbers.
- Few Minnesota counties match Roseau County on the share of commutes over 45 minutes: 6% here, 10% for the state, ranking 9th lowest of 87. Less driving means fewer surprise repair bills.
Household income in Roseau County
Median household income in Roseau County: $74,474 (16% below Minnesota, $89,062). Only 40 Minnesota counties post a higher median.
| Household income | Roseau County | vs Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 22.5% | +5.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.9% | +4.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 28.0% | -2.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.6% | -7.2 pts |
The spread is wide: 35% of Roseau County households make $100,000 or more, and 22% make less than $35,000. Census counts 12.2% of Roseau County residents in poverty, against 9.3% across Minnesota. For a borrower in Roseau County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Where Roseau County households live
$880 a month is the median gross rent in Roseau County, 31% below the state. About 3 in 10 Roseau County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $183,700, about 2.5 times the median household income. 79% of Roseau County households own their home and 21% rent. The median year built is 1982. Against the median U.S. county, Roseau County rent is about level with.
| Housing | Roseau County | Minnesota statewide | Roseau County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent-burdened renters | 34% | 48% | -14.3 pts |
| Owners | 79% | 72% | +7.0 pts |
| Median home value | $183,700 | $329,300 | 44% lower |
| Median gross rent | $880/mo | $1,280/mo | 31% lower |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 23% | -2.5 pts |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Employment and commuting in Roseau County
Top Roseau County industry by residents employed: manufacturing, 40%; second, education and health care, 18%. Manufacturing stands out: 40% of workers here, versus 13% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Roseau County averages 3.7% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.1%). Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 6%; under 15 minutes: 51%. 6.1% of households have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Roseau County share | +/- vs Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 39.7% | +26.3 pts |
| Education and health care | 18.0% | -7.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.1% | -3.6 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 6.4% | +4.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 4.9% | -2.2 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 4.3% | -2.8 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
How Roseau County compares with nearby counties
Distances run center to center, from Marshall County at 37 miles out to Beltrami County at 72. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Roseau County; Lake of the Woods County is highest at $77,546 and Beltrami County lowest at $68,975.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roseau County | - | $74,474 | $880/mo | 79% |
| Marshall County, MN | 37 mi | $72,543 | $690/mo | 83% |
| Lake of the Woods County, MN | 42 mi | $77,546 | $955/mo | 82% |
| Kittson County, MN | 44 mi | $76,100 | $757/mo | 83% |
| Pennington County, MN | 49 mi | $77,325 | $862/mo | 72% |
| Red Lake County, MN | 63 mi | $77,188 | $583/mo | 83% |
| Beltrami County, MN | 72 mi | $68,975 | $1,053/mo | 70% |
Roseau County towns compared
Places, by size: the top 5 of 5. Roughly 62% of Roseau County lives outside all of them, in open country or unnamed settlements. Gap between richest and poorest larger place: $9,708, Greenbush over Warroad. This guide covers each of the 5 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roseau | city | 2,736 | $60,217 | $895 | 6 mi |
| Warroad | city | 1,959 | $50,625 | $721 | 25 mi |
| Greenbush | city | 678 | $60,333 | $824 | 17 mi |
| Badger | city | 391 | $64,167 | $1,013 | 9 mi |
| Strathcona | city | 34 | $107,500 | n/a | 21 mi |
Room for a loan payment in Roseau County
How much room does a median Roseau County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Monthly gross at the median, Roseau County: $6,206
- Housing at the median rent of $880 uses 14%
- Under a 40% cap, $2,482 total minus rent leaves $1,602
If your rent is above $880, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Age, degrees and coverage in Roseau County
21% of Roseau County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. Uninsured, Roseau County: 4.1%; Minnesota: 4.7%.
| Roseau County | vs Minnesota | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 21.4% | -18.0 pts | -0.7 pts |
| Work from home | 10.7% | -7.0 pts | +2.0 pts |
| Median age | 41.9 | +3.1 yrs | +0.4 yrs |
| Poverty rate | 12.2% | +2.9 pts | -1.0 pts |
| No vehicle | 6.1% | -0.6 pts | +0.6 pts |
| No health insurance | 4.1% | -0.5 pts | -3.7 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.7% | -0.3 pts | -0.7 pts |
| No high school diploma | 6.3% | +0.2 pts | n/a |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 51.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 31.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.1% |
| 60+ min | 3.2% |
Borrowing situations common in Roseau County
- 14% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Roseau County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
Lender oversight for Roseau County
Consumer lenders serving Roseau County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Minnesota that is the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov.
Four steps for Roseau County borrowers
A short checklist for Roseau County borrowers:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- 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.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Minnesota guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Roseau County earn?
The median is $74,474; 35% earn $100,000 or more and 22% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What is the median rent in Roseau County, MN?
$880 a month, utilities included, or $10,560 a year.
Is home equity cheaper than a personal loan in Roseau County?
Often, because the home secures it. With 79% of Roseau County homes owner-occupied, weigh that lower cost against the risk to the house.
How many towns are in Roseau County?
The Census Bureau counts 5 places mainly in the county, led by Roseau, Warroad, Greenbush, Badger, Strathcona.
Can Roseau 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.