Meeker County

As of the 2020 Census, Meeker County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 23,400. The racial makeup is predominantly White at about 96%, with Hispanic or Latino residents around 2%, and smaller percentages of African American, Asian, and other races. The median household income is roughly $61,000, with a poverty rate near 9%. The county has a median age of 42 years, with 22% under 18, and 20% aged 65 or older. The population density is approximately 34 people per square mile.

As of the latest data, Meeker County, MN has a median home value of approximately $223,000. The median rent is around $800 per month. Homeownership rate stands at 76.4%, while rental occupancy is 23.6%. The county has about 10,000 housing units, with a vacancy rate near 10%. Housing stock primarily consists of single-family homes. Affordability is generally good, with low mortgage rates and various housing assistance programs available.

As of the most recent local elections, Meeker County, MN, held elections for various positions including county commissioners, sheriff, auditor-treasurer, attorney, and local judges. In 2022, the county had approximately 16,000 registered voters. Key races included:

1. County Commissioner (District 1):

   • Dale Fenrich: 2,134 votes
   • Shannon Christians: 1,897 votes

2. Sheriff:

   • Brian Cruze: 9,245 votes
   • Undisclosed write-in votes

3. Auditor-Treasurer:

   • DeeAnn Friederich: 8,679 votes

4. County Attorney:

   • Brandi Schiefelbein: 7,432 votes

Ensure to verify these numbers as they vary in each election cycle. Specific candidates and results can be found on the official Meeker County or Minnesota Secretary of State websites.

As of the latest available data, Meeker County, MN has varied educational attainment levels. Approximately 91% of residents have a high school diploma or higher, slightly below the national average of 92%. Around 18% hold a bachelor's degree or higher, which is also below Minnesota's state average of about 36% and the national average of 33%. This indicates that while high school completion rates are fairly comparable, higher education attainment lags behind both the state and national averages. Education programs and community initiatives might be necessary to bridge this gap and encourage more residents to pursue higher education degrees.

As of the latest data, Meeker County, MN has an employment rate closely aligned with broader state and national trends. The county's labor force participation rate is about 63%, slightly below the Minnesota average of 68% but comparable to the national rate of around 61%. The unemployment rate in Meeker County hovers around 3.5%, which is in line with Minnesota’s 3.4% and better than the national rate of approximately 4%.

Top industries in Meeker County include manufacturing, healthcare and social assistance, retail trade, and educational services. Manufacturing stands out with about 23% of local employment, significantly higher than the national average of 8.5% and the Minnesota average of 11%. Healthcare and social assistance employ about 14%, comparable to state and national figures. Retail trade accounts for approximately 11% of the workforce, similar to state and national proportions.

These industries reflect the county's economic environment, which leans more towards manufacturing compared to state and national trends.

As of the latest available data, the median household income in Meeker County, Minnesota, is approximately $61,500. Comparatively, the median household income for the state of Minnesota is around $75,000, while the national median household income stands at approximately $68,700. Below is a concise table highlighting these statistics:

Meeker County's median income is notably lower than both the state and national figures.

As of recent data, Meeker County, MN, exhibits a relatively low crime rate compared to national averages. Here's a breakdown:

• Violent Crime Rate: Approximately 1.5 incidents per 1,000 residents.
• Property Crime Rate: Around 14.8 incidents per 1,000 residents.

Here is a detailed table of crime statistics per 1,000 residents:

These statistics provide a snapshot of the crime situation in Meeker County, aiding residents and authorities in understanding local crime dynamics.