RANK #602 / 996 · POP 162,307 · MN
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.4%
Olmsted County, in southeastern Minnesota, is distinctive for being one of only four counties in the state without any natural lakes, though it does feature several reservoirs and rivers like the Zumbro, Whitewater, and Root. The county seat, Rochester, is Minnesota's third-largest city and sits in the Zumbro River valley. Commuting within Rochester is facilitated by public transit, including fixed routes and express services, with plans for Bus Rapid Transit. For those traveling from outside the city, regional commuter bus services connect Rochester to about 40 surrounding communities. The county offers various outdoor recreation opportunities across its parks and trails, including Chester Woods Park and Oxbow Park, which features the Zollman Zoo.
Life in Olmsted County is characterized by a mix of urban and rural settings, with Rochester as a central hub surrounded by farmland and smaller agricultural towns. The public schools in the county are highly rated, with several districts serving the area, including Rochester Public School District. Residents value the natural environment and recreational opportunities. The economy is largely driven by the healthcare sector, with significant employment in health diagnosing and treating practitioners. Recent economic developments include investments in waste diversion and resource recovery, aiming to enhance recycling and support sustainable practices. The county is also working on infrastructure improvements, such as road upgrades.
Above national median
Harsh climate or flat terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.6x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Crane and Sandhill Battery Energy Storage Projects
Crane Energy Storage LLC and Sandhill Energy Storage LLC
|
$800M | Proposed |
|
Snowshoe Energy Storage Project
Snowshoe BESS LLC (Spearmint Energy)
|
$255M | Under Construction |
|
Lemon Hill Solar Project
Lemon Hill Solar, LLC (Ranger Power)
|
$180M | Proposed |
|
CSAH 44 and TH 14 Interchange Project
Olmsted County
|
$55M | Under Construction |
|
Community Solar Portfolio (Multiple Projects)
Various (e.g., Westside Solar, Cenergy Power, People's Energy Cooperative)
|
$50M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Olmsted County has a Boom Town Index score of 40/100, ranking #602 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.8% and a median household income of $90,420, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Olmsted County is $285,600 with median rent at $1,193/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3166, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.9% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.8%. Home values changed +3.5% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.21% of Olmsted County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.