RANK #662 / 1001 NAT · #14 / 18 MN · POP 69,871
1YR FORECAST: +2.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +20%
Blue Earth County, Minnesota, stands out for its namesake, the Blue Earth River, known for its distinctive blue-green clay that once drew French explorers. Located in south-central Minnesota, with Mankato as its county seat, the area is about an hour and a half drive south of Minneapolis. The community offers a blend of agricultural landscapes and natural beauty, including numerous rivers, over 30 lakes, and wooded bluffs, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation like hiking and camping. Commutes within the county are generally manageable, with several transit options available, including a dial-a-ride service connecting its various towns.
Life in Blue Earth County offers a quieter pace, appealing to families and those seeking a close-knit community. Public schools in the county are generally well-regarded. The economy is diverse, with agriculture remaining a core industry, particularly in hog, corn, and soybean production. Beyond agriculture, the county serves as a regional center for education, healthcare, and manufacturing. Recent economic developments include investments in energy efficiency across county facilities and broader initiatives to support local businesses and housing.
Blue Earth County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +2.6% YoY, population +0.7%, wages +4.3%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 7.6x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Wilmarth - Fieldon 345.0kV Solar Project
None
|
$299M | Planned |
|
AAIM Minnesota 1 Data Center Expansion
AAIM Data Centers
|
$150M | Under Construction |
|
SunStar Solar Project (Verona Township)
Invenergy Solar
|
$150M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 33/100, Blue Earth County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $74,477 combined with job growth of +0.5% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Blue Earth County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $266,700 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.28, with rents averaging $1,123/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Blue Earth County's population is growing — up +0.7% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.5%). Home values shifted +2.6% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
In significant numbers — 7.29% of Blue Earth County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.