Education, Employment and Housing

McLeod County, MN, has 16 public schools serving K-12 students, including 4 high schools. The high school graduation rate is 92%, and approximately 23% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Average standardized test scores are close to the state average, with many schools rated 6/10 to 8/10. The county offers adult education and workforce programs through Hutchinson Community Education. School safety measures include SROs and emergency response drills. Extracurricular and vocational programs are available, promoting college and career readiness.

As of 2022, McLeod County, MN has an employment rate of approximately 66%. The leading industries are manufacturing (26%), health care and social assistance (15%), and retail trade (10%). Most common occupations include production (16%), office/administrative support (11%), and sales (9%). About 79% of workers commute by car; the average commute time is 22 minutes. Roughly 60% of employed residents work within McLeod County, while others commute primarily to Wright, Carver, or Hennepin counties for employment.

McLeod County, MN, has a homeownership rate of about 78%, with median home values around $234,000 as of 2023. The median gross rent is approximately $950 per month. Housing types primarily include single-family homes and some multi-unit complexes, with neighborhoods like Hutchinson and Glencoe being popular. Recent market trends show steady value appreciation of 4-6% annually. Property taxes average 1.1% of assessed value, meaning about $2,574 per year on a median-priced home. The market remains affordable compared to state averages, attracting both families and retirees.

Elections

McLeod County, MN, had 23,000 registered voters in 2022. Voters participate in primary, general, and special elections, including local, state, and federal races. Major parties are Republican and Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL); in 2020, 67% voted Republican, 31% DFL. Results are overseen by the county auditor’s office. There are 22 polling locations across cities and townships. Issues of focus include rural broadband, agriculture, and school funding. Early and absentee voting are available. Election administration follows Minnesota law, and detailed information is provided on the county’s official website.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, McLeod County, MN had a population of 36,771. The median age was 42.2 years. Females made up about 50.4% and males 49.6% of residents. The county was predominantly White (92.4%), with Hispanic/Latino at 4.7%, Asian at 0.7%, Black or African American at 0.8%, and Native American at 0.4%. Other races and those identifying as two or more races comprised about 1%.

County Crime & Safety

McLeod County, MN, maintains relatively low crime rates compared to national averages. In 2022, the county reported approximately 350 total crimes, with 35 violent crimes and 315 property crimes, according to FBI data. The violent crime rate was about 1.3 incidents per 1,000 residents, while the property crime rate stood around 11.8 per 1,000. The McLeod County Sheriff’s Office regularly publishes public safety updates and encourages community reporting, contributing to its high clearance rates and fostering a safer environment for its population of roughly 27,000.