1st Advantage MortgageIn Wilkin County, Minnesota, the typical household earns $71,410 a year and the typical rent is $564. 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
- Wilkin County by the numbers
- Renting and owning in Wilkin County
- How much Wilkin County households make
- Employment and commuting in Wilkin County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Places inside Wilkin County
- Debt-to-income at Wilkin County's medians
- Borrowing situations common in Wilkin County
- Who lives in Wilkin County, in numbers
- A Wilkin County borrower's checklist
- Minnesota rules that apply in Wilkin County
- More guides for Wilkin County
- Frequently asked questions
Wilkin County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Wilkin County's population at 6,371; only 76 of Minnesota's 87 county-level areas are larger. It covers 751 square miles of land, or about 8 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Wilkin County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 8 Census places inside Wilkin County, Breckenridge leads by population with about 3,349; 8 of the 8 are incorporated. With so few households sampled, Wilkin County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Renting and owning in Wilkin County
A typical Wilkin County rental runs $564 a month including utilities, which is 56% below Minnesota. By the Census definition, 42% of Wilkin County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $182,200, about 2.6 times the median household income. 80% of Wilkin County households own their home and 20% rent. Median construction year: 1969.
| Cost | Wilkin County | Minnesota figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $564/mo | $1,280/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $182,200 | $329,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 80% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 42% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 18% | 23% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 11% | 9% | n/a |
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).
How much Wilkin County households make
The median household income in Wilkin County is $71,410; statewide it is $89,062, so Wilkin County runs 20% below Minnesota as a whole. In the state ranking that is 60th of 87.
| Household income | Wilkin County | vs Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 22.1% | +4.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.7% | +6.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 28.9% | -1.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.3% | -9.5 pts |
Some 22% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 33% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 14.1%, 5 points higher than the state's 9.3%. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Employment and commuting in Wilkin County
The biggest employer of Wilkin County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 22% of workers, followed by manufacturing (14%). Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 12% of workers here, versus 2% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Wilkin County averages 4.8% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.1%). About 78% drive to work alone and 13% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 6.7% of households have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | Wilkin County | Difference from Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.5% | -4.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 13.9% | +0.6 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 12.5% | +10.4 pts |
| Construction | 9.0% | +2.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.3% | -2.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.9% | -2.8 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Distances run center to center, from Richland County at 23 miles out to Becker County at 53. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Wilkin County; Clay County is highest at $81,172 and Traverse County lowest at $62,989. The list crosses into North Dakota, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilkin County | - | $71,410 | $564/mo | 80% |
| Richland County, ND | 23 mi | $75,432 | $740/mo | 68% |
| Otter Tail County, MN | 36 mi | $72,255 | $868/mo | 79% |
| Clay County, MN | 37 mi | $81,172 | $1,019/mo | 66% |
| Grant County, MN | 37 mi | $73,917 | $797/mo | 79% |
| Traverse County, MN | 41 mi | $62,989 | $615/mo | 82% |
| Becker County, MN | 53 mi | $71,388 | $920/mo | 77% |
Places inside Wilkin County
Here are the 8 most populous of the county's 8 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 69% of Wilkin County residents live in one of the 8. None of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breckenridge | city | 3,349 | $58,963 | $515 | 8 mi |
| Rothsay | city | 454 | $86,250 | $775 | 12 mi |
| Campbell | city | 245 | $79,313 | $778 | 19 mi |
| Wolverton | city | 145 | $68,125 | $475 | 19 mi |
| Foxhome | city | 110 | $78,125 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Kent | city | 70 | $39,286 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Nashua | city | 21 | $11,250 | n/a | 24 mi |
| Doran | city | 12 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
Debt-to-income at Wilkin County's medians
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Wilkin County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $5,951 a month: gross income for a household at the Wilkin County median
- Housing at the median rent of $564 uses 9%
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $1,578 left for all other debt payments
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,995 left for all other debt payments
If your rent is above $564, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Borrowing situations common in Wilkin County
Where the Wilkin County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Consolidating cards in Wilkin County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
Who lives in Wilkin County, in numbers
23% of Wilkin County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 4% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Wilkin County | Minnesota | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.2 | 38.8 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 23.0% | 39.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.6% | 6.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.0% | 4.7% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.7% | 6.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.4% | 17.6% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.1% | 9.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.8% | 4.1% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Wilkin County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 44.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 31.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 11.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.9% |
| 60+ min | 6.3% |
A Wilkin County borrower's checklist
A short checklist for Wilkin County borrowers:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Minnesota borrowers.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Minnesota rules that apply in Wilkin County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Wilkin County resident can confirm its license with the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: Minnesota guide.
More guides for Wilkin County
The Minnesota guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wilkin County a high-income county?
Its $71,410 median ranks 60th of 87 Minnesota counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Wilkin County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $564 a month; 42% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
What are the biggest places in Wilkin County?
By population: Breckenridge, Rothsay, Campbell, Wolverton, Foxhome. The county has 8 Census places in all.
Does living in Wilkin County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Wilkin County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Is there a Wilkin County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Minnesota it is the Minnesota Department of Commerce.