RANK #279 / 996 · POP 56,927 · MN
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.7%
Chisago County, Minnesota, distinguishes itself with its "Fair and Lovely Lakes," a name derived from the Ojibwe "Ki-Chi-Saga." Located northeast of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, the county offers a blend of small-town atmosphere and natural scenery, with numerous lakes and the St. Croix River Valley. Towns like Lindstrom celebrate a rich Swedish heritage, evident in landmarks such as its Swedish coffee pot-shaped water tower. Commuting to the Twin Cities is common, with an average travel time of about 31 minutes. The community values its outdoor recreation, including extensive trails for hiking and biking, water activities on its 24 lakes, and state parks like Wild River State Park.
Life in Chisago County often involves a balance between rural charm and access to urban opportunities. Many residents commute for work, though there's a growing local job market. The county's economy is diverse, with manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism playing significant roles. Recent economic developments focus on supporting local small businesses through grant and loan programs, and there's an emphasis on enhancing infrastructure, including broadband services, to attract further investment and job growth. The public school systems in Chisago County are generally well-regarded.
Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Prices detached from rents
Housing looks overvalued at 9.9x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Cielo Chisago Data Center
Cielo Digital Infrastructure
|
$1,500M | Planned |
|
Chisago County 115kV Substation Battery Project
Unknown
|
$200M | Planned |
|
CHISAGO COUNTY Battery Project
Unknown
|
$150M | Planned |
|
North Star Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Project
North Star Energy Storage, LLC (affiliate of North Star Solar PV LLC)
|
$100M | Under Construction |
|
North Star Solar Project
North Star Solar PV LLC (D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments)
|
$100M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Chisago County has a Boom Town Index score of 72/100, ranking #279 among 996 U.S. counties. With a median household income of $97,446, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Chisago County is $299,800 with median rent at $1,095/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.325, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.1% year-over-year. Job growth: 0.0%. Home values changed +2.0% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 5.57% of Chisago County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.