Special Interest
Housing in Stearns County
Both Census and HUD figures represent gross rent — contract rent plus estimated utility costs for electricity, heat, water, and sewer.
Rent in Stearns County averages $1,068/month for a 2‑bedroom in 2024, compared to the Minnesota median of $1,280 and the national median of $1,413. Local renters spend approximately 30% of household income on rent, below the national average of 32%.
HUD 2026 50th Percentile Rent Estimates for Stearns County FMR Area are $942 for a studio, $990 for 1‑bedroom, $1,299 for 2‑bedroom, $1,728 for 3‑bedroom, and $2,017 for 4‑bedroom.
HUD 2026 Rent Estimates reflect market movement since 2024 Census data — a $231 increase for a 2-bedroom in Stearns County shows a 22% rise over that period.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics annual unemployment rate for Stearns County was 3.0% in 2024, compared to Minnesota at 3.0% and the national rate of 4.0%.
