Elk River
RANK #199 / 996 NAT · #2 / 18 MN · POP 97,820
1YR FORECAST: +1.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +32%
Sherburne County, Minnesota, distinguishes itself with the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge and the Sand Dunes State Forest, offering extensive natural landscapes for outdoor enthusiasts. Located in central Minnesota, the county sits between the Minneapolis-St. Paul and St. Cloud metropolitan areas. Commute options include major highways like U.S. 10 and 169, providing four-lane access, and a commuter bus service (replacing the Northstar Line in January 2025) connecting towns like Elk River and Big Lake to downtown Minneapolis. The community feel varies from rural to suburban, with cities like Elk River serving as the county seat.
Life in Sherburne County often involves a balance of suburban and rural living, attracting families and individuals seeking good schools and access to natural amenities. The county is home to multiple school districts, including Independent School District 728 and Becker Public School District. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with numerous county and city parks, lakes, and trails for hiking, biking, and water sports. Economically, the county has experienced growth, with a labor force projected to expand. Local economic development efforts focus on supporting entrepreneurship and existing businesses.
Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 8.1x — 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.
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 →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Sherburne County ranks #199 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 80/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +1.7% and a median household income of $99,431 point to a county with active economic momentum.
Housing in Sherburne County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $306,000 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.32, with rents averaging $1,166/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Sherburne County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.6% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.7% clip. Home values shifted +2.2% in the past year.
In significant numbers — 7.0% of Sherburne 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.