Rochester
RANK #393 / 996 NAT · #9 / 18 MN · POP 162,307
1YR FORECAST: +1.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +26%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
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 →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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.
With a Boom Town Index score of 60/100, Olmsted County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +1.8%, and median household income stands at $90,420 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in MN.
Housing in Olmsted County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $285,600 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.32, with rents averaging $1,193/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Olmsted County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +0.9% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.8% clip — and home values reflect that momentum, rising +3.5% over the past 12 months.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.21% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Olmsted County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.