RANK #504 / 996 · POP 97,820 · MN
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.7%
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.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Sherburne County has a Boom Town Index score of 49/100, ranking #504 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.7% and a median household income of $99,431, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Sherburne County is $306,000 with median rent at $1,166/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3249, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.6% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.7%. Home values changed +2.2% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 7.0% of Sherburne County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.