RANK #505 / 1001 NAT · #12 / 18 MN · POP 60,475
1YR FORECAST: +6.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +23%
Otter Tail County, Minnesota, distinguishes itself with over 1,000 lakes, more than any other county in the United States, defining its landscape and lifestyle. Located in west-central Minnesota, roughly three hours northwest of the Twin Cities and 45 minutes from Fargo, North Dakota, the area offers a relaxed, lakeside community feel. Towns like Fergus Falls, Pelican Rapids, and Battle Lake serve as hubs for residents and visitors. Commuting within the county is generally efficient, with an average travel time of around 20.7 minutes, and public transit, Otter Express, offers door-to-door service in several communities. The county's natural scenery includes rolling hills, prairies, and forests, with ample opportunities for outdoor recreation in its numerous lakes, two state parks—Glendalough and Maplewood—and extensive trail systems.
Life in Otter Tail County is characterized by a strong sense of community and a focus on outdoor activities. The public school system is rated above average, with several top-ranked elementary and high schools. The economy is supported by sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, and retail trade. Recent economic developments include initiatives to address housing shortages and expand childcare options, reflecting efforts to attract new residents and support families. The county also focuses on business development and retention, offering resources for start-up and expanding businesses, including those in housing development and agriculture.
Otter Tail County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +6.0% YoY, population +0.3%, wages +4.4%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Speculative pricing
Housing looks overvalued at 13.5x — 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: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Otter Tail County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
The Big Build Housing Initiative
Otter Tail County Community Development Agency (CDA)
|
$94M | Ongoing |
|
Hoot Lake Battery Storage Project
Otter Tail Corporation (Otter Tail Power Company)
|
$75M | Planned |
|
Hoot Lake Solar
Otter Tail Power Company
|
$62M | Operating |
|
Solway Solar
Otter Tail Power Company
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
2025 Road and Bridge Construction Projects
Otter Tail County
|
$25M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Otter Tail County scores 49/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#505). Median household income is $72,255 and job growth is running at -1.4%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Otter Tail County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $273,000 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.26, with rents averaging $868/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Otter Tail County's job market is contracting (-1.4% YoY) while population is roughly stable (+0.3% change). Home values are +6.0% over the past 12 months. Hiring headwinds without an offsetting exodus — residents are staying, but local employers are shedding payroll.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.05% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Otter Tail County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +6.0% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Otter Tail County is now valued at $273,000. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.