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Battle Lake, MN

Minnesota

Battle Lake is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 794. Residents earn $58,125 per year, which is 23% below the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
794 Population 551/sq mi density
$58,125 Median Income $36,139 per capita
$221,000 Home Value $412,541 Zillow
$920 Median Rent 32.0% income on rent
41°F Avg Temperature 276 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$58,125 median income, 3.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.5 / 5.0
$221,000 home value, $920/mo rent
B
Education
3.0 / 5.0
25.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $58,125
23% lower than US avg
Home Value $221,000
22% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 25.4%
25% lower than US avg
Median Rent $920
21% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 32.7%
2% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.5%
3% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.2%
82% lower than US avg

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

People

Population794
Median Age55.8 yrs
Density551/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 91%
Veterans11.3%

Economy

B+
Median Income$58,125
Per Capita$36,139
Unemployment3.5%
Poverty2.2%
County GDP$3,285M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$221,000
Rent$920
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$412,541
Housing Units449
Rent Burden32.0%

Health

Obesity32.7%
Uninsured6.6%
Smoking14.1%
Depression25.7%
Heart Disease4.7%

Climate

Avg Temp41°F (5°C)
AQI36 (Good)
Rain28.2 in/yr
Sunny Days276/yr
Elevation1,383 ft (422 m)

Education

B
Bachelor's+25.4%
High School+96.0%
Graduate+9.2%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 66% / D 32%
Commute20 min
Broadband76.7%
EV Stations1
Libraries5

Is Battle Lake a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Battle Lake receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Battle Lake offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Battle Lake is $58,125, 23% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.5%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 2.2% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Battle Lake is $221,000, 22% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $920 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.8x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

25.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 96.0% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Battle Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F. Winters average 8°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. With 276 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 28.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Battle Lake has a population of 794 with a density of 551 people per square mile. The median age is 55.8 years, 43% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.7%).

Population

794
Total Population
551
People / sq mi
55.8yrs
Median Age
43% above US avg
1.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.4%
Female 50.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Battle Lake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.2%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.8%
87% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Battle Lake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Battle Lake is $58,125, which is 23% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Battle Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$58,125
23% below US avg
Per Capita Income$36,139
Avg Weekly Wage$1,000
IRS Avg AGI$71,755

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.5%
3% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.2%
82% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,908
County GDP$3,285M

Business (County)

Restaurants165
Healthcare181
Retail250
Manufacturing89

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,298
23% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.94%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.3 min
Drive Alone88.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Battle Lake is $221,000, 22% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $920 (21% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $412,541.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$221,000
22% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$412,541

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$920
21% below US avg
Rent Burden32.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied62.5%
Housing Units449
Median Year Built1974

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,298
23% above US avg
Effective Rate1.94%
In Battle Lake, 32.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 6.6% of residents lack health insurance. 14.1% are current smokers. 25.7% report depression. 21.1% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Battle Lake vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity32.7%
2% above US avg
Diabetes7.7%
Heart Disease4.7%
High Blood Pressure23.9%
Asthma10.3%
COPD4.7%
Cancer7.6%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking14.1%
1% above US avg
Binge Drinking21.0%
Physical Inactivity21.1%
Depression25.7%
Mental Distress16.7%
Physical Distress10.7%
Short Sleep32.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.1%
Uninsured6.6%
23% below US avg
Checkup Rate71.6%
Dental Visits68.4%
Premature Death6,919/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.7/10
Exercise Access50.9%
Healthcare Facilities181
Battle Lake has an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 8°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation is 28.2 inches. The area enjoys 276 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

8°F Jan (-14°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average40.9°F
24% below US avg
January Average8°F (-14°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days276 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall28.2 inches
26% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,383 ft (422 m)
Area1.4 sq mi (3.7 km²)
Population Density551/sq mi
Coordinates46.2849°N, 95.7187°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS27111
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 25.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (25% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 34.2-point margin. 76.7% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 66.3%
D 32.1%

Winner: Republican by 34.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+25.4%
25% below US avg
High School+96.0%
Graduate Degree+9.2%
School Test Score6.08
B Education Grade (3.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density551/sq mi
Total Area1.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access76.7%
EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities181
Restaurants165
Retail Stores250

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.3 min
Drive Alone88.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.0%

Nearby Cities

Fergus Falls, MN 14,138 pop · 17.1 mi Parkers Prairie, MN 1,089 pop · 20.8 mi Perham, MN 3,577 pop · 22.8 mi New York Mills, MN 1,319 pop · 23.1 mi Pelican Rapids, MN 2,589 pop · 26.4 mi Wadena, MN 4,361 pop · 30.4 mi Frazee, MN 1,595 pop · 30.7 mi Alexandria, MN 14,579 pop · 32.6 mi Detroit Lakes, MN 10,002 pop · 36.6 mi Osakis, MN 1,667 pop · 39.7 mi Breckenridge, MN 3,369 pop · 41.4 mi Barnesville, MN 2,757 pop · 41.7 mi Wahpeton, ND 7,996 pop · 42.7 mi Staples, MN 2,359 pop · 43.5 mi
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