1st Advantage MortgageThe median Stevens County household earns $75,733, and 11% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- Stevens County in brief
- Stevens County income bands
- Where Stevens County households live
- Stevens County at the extremes
- The Stevens County job picture
- Morris and the rest of Stevens County
- Counties near Stevens County
- More Stevens County figures
- $6,311 a month: the Stevens County median budget
- Local borrowing considerations for Stevens County
- Before you sign
- Lender oversight for Stevens County
- More guides for Stevens County
- Frequently asked questions
Stevens County in brief
Roughly 9,739 residents live in Stevens County, Minnesota, 69th by population among the state's 87 counties and county equivalents. Stevens County spans 564 square miles; with 9,739 people, that is 17.3 per square mile. Stevens County is classed as nonmetropolitan in the OMB's July 2023 list. The Census Bureau counts 5 places in the county (5 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Morris, with about 5,128 residents, or 53% of the county. Small populations mean wide margins of error, so read every Stevens County figure on this page as a rough guide.
Stevens County income bands
Stevens County households have a median income of $75,733 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 36th of 87 in Minnesota.
| Band | Stevens County | Compared with Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.3% | +6.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.9% | +2.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.6% | -5.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 10.2% | -3.6 pts |
Six-figure households (36%) outnumber those under $35,000 (23%) in Stevens County. 11.1% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 9.3%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.489 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Stevens County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Where Stevens County households live
Half of Stevens County renters pay more than $951 a month and half pay less; the Minnesota midpoint is $1,280. About 4 in 10 Stevens County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. Home values center on $202,800, or 2.7 years of median income. Owners occupy 63% of homes. Against the median U.S. county, Stevens County rent is 8% above.
| Cost | Stevens County | Minnesota figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burdened owners | 11% | 23% | -12.6 pts |
| Owners | 63% | 72% | -8.8 pts |
| Median home value | $202,800 | $329,300 | 38% lower |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 48% | -3.4 pts |
| Median gross rent | $951/mo | $1,280/mo | 26% lower |
| Vacant units | 7% | 9% | -2.3 pts |
Stevens County at the extremes
The 3 Stevens County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Minnesota, and what each means for a borrower:
- Few Minnesota counties match Stevens County on homeownership: 63% here, 72% for the state, ranking 4th lowest of 87. Many renters means few borrowers have home equity to fall back on.
- On median age, Stevens County sits near the bottom of Minnesota at 33.9, 3rd lowest of 87. A young county means many first-time borrowers; read every fee line.
- The share of commutes over 45 minutes: 5% in Stevens County. Only 2 of 87 Minnesota counties are lower. Short commutes keep vehicle costs down, which can free up room for savings.
The Stevens County job picture
Education and health care (29%), agriculture, forestry and mining (17%) and manufacturing (12%) lead Stevens County's job mix. Compared with Minnesota, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (17% against 2%). Unemployment in Stevens County, ACS five-year: 2.0%; Minnesota: 4.1%. 5% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 8% work from home.
| Industry | Share of Stevens County workers | vs Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 28.9% | +3.1 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 16.7% | +14.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.8% | -1.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.0% | +0.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 6.7% | -4.0 pts |
| Construction | 6.2% | -0.2 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Morris and the rest of Stevens County
5 Census places fall mainly inside Stevens County; the 5 biggest are below. They account for 6,749 residents, leaving about 31% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. None of the 5 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morris | city | 5,128 | $67,727 | $950 | 4 mi |
| Hancock | city | 859 | $70,481 | $792 | 12 mi |
| Chokio | city | 392 | $47,000 | $779 | 9 mi |
| Donnelly | city | 277 | $70,313 | $1,300 | 7 mi |
| Alberta | city | 93 | $95,000 | n/a | 3 mi |
Counties near Stevens County
Big Stone County is closest, 23 miles from center to center; the sixth, Douglas County, is 35 miles off. Income ranges from $60,412 in Swift County to $79,043 in Douglas County; 2 of these neighbors top Stevens County's median.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stevens County | - | $75,733 | $951/mo | 63% |
| Big Stone County, MN | 23 mi | $70,400 | $745/mo | 80% |
| Grant County, MN | 23 mi | $73,917 | $797/mo | 79% |
| Traverse County, MN | 26 mi | $62,989 | $615/mo | 82% |
| Pope County, MN | 26 mi | $76,220 | $902/mo | 84% |
| Swift County, MN | 26 mi | $60,412 | $920/mo | 72% |
| Douglas County, MN | 35 mi | $79,043 | $927/mo | 76% |
More Stevens County figures
Bachelor's degree or higher: 31% of Stevens County adults. Uninsured, Stevens County: 5.7%; Minnesota: 4.7%.
| Measure | Stevens County | Gap to Minnesota | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work from home | 7.6% | -10.0 pts | -1.1 pts |
| Bachelor's or higher | 31.2% | -8.3 pts | +9.0 pts |
| Median age | 33.9 | -4.9 yrs | -7.6 yrs |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.0% | -2.1 pts | -2.5 pts |
| Poverty rate | 11.1% | +1.8 pts | -2.0 pts |
| No vehicle | 5.0% | -1.7 pts | -0.4 pts |
| No high school diploma | 7.5% | +1.5 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.7% | +1.0 pts | -2.1 pts |
| Minutes to work | Stevens County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 63.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 23.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 7.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 1.3% |
| 60+ min | 3.4% |
$6,311 a month: the Stevens County median budget
Stevens County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Monthly gross at the median, Stevens County: $6,311
- Median rent: $951, or 15 cents of every gross dollar
- 35% debt-to-income limit: $1,258 left for all other debt payments
- Under a 45% cap, $2,840 total minus rent leaves $1,889
A household below the $75,733 median has less room than this, often none.
Local borrowing considerations for Stevens County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Stevens County borrowers.
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Stevens County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
Before you sign
Steps that save money for Stevens County residents:
- Price the Stevens County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Stevens County-area credit union.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Minnesota borrowers.
- Ask a Stevens County credit union about member loans.
Lender oversight for Stevens County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Stevens County, check the Minnesota Department of Commerce. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. The Minnesota page has statewide figures to set beside Stevens County's.
More guides for Stevens County
Next step up from Stevens County:
Frequently asked questions
Is $75,733 a good income in Stevens County?
It is the county median, so half of Stevens County households earn more and half less; 36% earn $100,000 or more.
How does Stevens County rent compare with Minnesota?
$951 locally versus $1,280 for the state, 26% below.
What are the biggest places in Stevens County?
By population: Morris, Hancock, Chokio, Donnelly, Alberta. The county has 5 Census places in all.
Are Stevens County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Where can someone in Stevens County check a lender's license?
With the Minnesota Department of Commerce. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.