Balaton, MN

Minnesota

Balaton is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 544. Residents earn $54,091 per year, which is 28% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
544 Population 375/sq mi density
$54,091 Median Income $32,702 per capita
$85,000 Home Value $89,013 Zillow
$1,081 Median Rent 27.1% income on rent
45°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$54,091 median income, 4.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$85,000 home value, $1,081/mo rent
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
18.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $54,091
28% lower than US avg
Home Value $85,000
70% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 18.1%
46% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,081
7% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.6%
17% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.4%
22% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.1%
19% lower than US avg

How Balaton Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population544
Median Age46.7 yrs
Density375/mi²
Male / Female54% / 46%
Largest GroupWhite 93%

Economy

B+
Median Income$54,091
Per Capita$32,702
Unemployment4.4%
Poverty10.1%
County GDP$2,100M
Commute25 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$85,000
Rent$1,081
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$89,013
Rent Burden27.1%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity37.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.1%
Heart Disease5.0%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain29.2 in/yr
Elevation1,534 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+18.1%
High School+98.3%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 65% / D 33%
Commute25 min
Libraries5

Is Balaton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Balaton receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Balaton offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Balaton is $54,091, 28% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.4%, indicating a healthy job market. 10.1% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Balaton is $85,000, 70% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,081 per month. At just 1.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

18.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 98.3% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Balaton has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 29.2 inches, including 49.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Balaton has a population of 544 with a density of 375 people per square mile. The median age is 46.7 years, 20% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93.4%), with 5.5% Hispanic.

Population

544
Total Population
375
People / sq mi
46.7yrs
Median Age
20% above US avg
1.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 54.2%
Female 45.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Balaton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.6%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.4%
90% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Balaton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Balaton is $54,091, which is 28% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.4% (above the 3.6% US average). 10.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Balaton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$54,091
28% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,702
Avg Weekly Wage$1,017
IRS Avg AGI$74,952

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.4%
22% above US avg
Poverty Rate10.1%
19% below US avg
Establishments (County)859
County GDP$2,100M

Business (County)

Restaurants65
Healthcare130
Retail119
Manufacturing28

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,674
5% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.32%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.7 min
Work from Home8.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Balaton is $85,000, 70% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,081 (7% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $89,013.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$85,000
70% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$89,013

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$23
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio100.0%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory2

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,081
7% below US avg
Rent Burden27.1%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$809
1 Bedroom$899
2 Bedrooms$1,125
3 Bedrooms$1,483
4 Bedrooms$1,698

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied76.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,674
5% above US avg
Effective Rate4.32%
In Balaton, 37.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.1% report depression. 22.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Balaton vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.6%
17% above US avg
Diabetes8.5%
Heart Disease5.0%
High Blood Pressure27.2%
Asthma10.0%
COPD5.0%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.2%
Physical Inactivity22.0%
Depression24.1%
Mental Distress16.4%
Physical Distress11.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.4%
Checkup Rate72.1%
Premature Death6,490/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access81.6%
Healthcare Facilities130

Crime Rates: Balaton vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Balaton has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 29.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

14°F Jan (-10°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average44.6°F
17% below US avg
January Average14°F (-10°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall29.2 inches
23% below US avg
Snowfall49.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,534 ft (468 m)
Area1.5 sq mi (3.8 km²)
Population Density375/sq mi
Coordinates44.2329°N, 95.8711°W
County FIPS27083
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 18.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (46% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 31.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 64.9%
D 33.1%

Winner: Republican by 31.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+18.1%
46% below US avg
High School+98.3%
School Test Score6.08
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density375/sq mi
Total Area1.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities130
Restaurants65
Retail Stores119

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.7 min
Work from Home8.1%

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