Baxter, MN

Minnesota

Baxter is a small city in Minnesota with a population of 8,804. Residents earn $71,272 per year, which is 5% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
8,804 Population 467/sq mi density
$71,272 Median Income $41,962 per capita
$298,400 Home Value $356,269 Zillow
$1,123 Median Rent
41°F Avg Temperature
77 Violent Crime/100K 5,003 property/100K
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$71,272 median income, 1.3% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.3 / 5.0
$298,400 home value, $1,123/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
77 violent crimes/100K (80% below avg)
A
Education
4.0 / 5.0
37.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $71,272
5% lower than US avg
Home Value $298,400
6% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 77/100K
80% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 37.7%
12% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,123
3% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.0%
15% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.3%
64% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.5%
31% lower than US avg

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

People

Population8,804
Median Age42.9 yrs
Density467/mi²
Male / Female49% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 96%

Economy

A
Median Income$71,272
Per Capita$41,962
Unemployment1.3%
Poverty8.5%
County GDP$4,044M
Commute20 min

Housing

A
Home Value$298,400
Rent$1,123
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$356,269

Crime

F
Violent77/100K
Property5,003/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault51/100K
Burglary102/100K

Health

Obesity37.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.9%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp41°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain30.6 in/yr
Elevation1,190 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+37.7%
High School+96.9%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 65% / D 34%
Commute20 min
EV Stations4
Libraries3

Is Baxter a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Baxter receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Baxter offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Baxter is $71,272, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.3%. 8.5% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Baxter is $298,400, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,123 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 4.2x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Baxter is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 77 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 5,003 per 100,000, 155% above the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 37.7% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 96.9% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Baxter has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F. Winters average 9°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 30.6 inches, including 48.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Baxter has a population of 8,804 with a density of 467 people per square mile. The median age is 42.9 years, 10% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.8%), with 1.1% Hispanic.

Population

8,804
Total Population
467
People / sq mi
42.9yrs
Median Age
10% above US avg
18.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.5%
Female 51.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Baxter vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.1%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.9%
86% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Baxter vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Baxter is $71,272, which is 5% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 8.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Baxter vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$71,272
5% below US avg
Per Capita Income$41,962
Avg Weekly Wage$1,020
IRS Avg AGI$74,335

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.3%
64% below US avg
Poverty Rate8.5%
31% below US avg
Establishments (County)2,376
County GDP$4,044M

Business (County)

Restaurants219
Healthcare256
Retail381
Manufacturing112

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,830
38% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.62%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.4 min
Work from Home16.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Baxter is $298,400, 6% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,123 (3% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $356,269.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$298,400
6% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$356,269
Median List Price$379,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$379,900
$/Sq Ft$225
Homes Sold9
Sale-to-List Ratio98.2%
Price Drops12.9%
Inventory31

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,123
3% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied62.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,830
38% above US avg
Effective Rate1.62%
In Baxter, 37.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.9% report depression. 21.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.0%
15% above US avg
Diabetes8.5%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure28.2%
Asthma10.5%
COPD5.1%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.2%
Physical Inactivity21.6%
Depression24.9%
Mental Distress16.2%
Physical Distress10.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.6%
Checkup Rate72.4%
Premature Death7,321/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.7/10
Exercise Access80.6%
Healthcare Facilities256
Baxter has a violent crime rate of 77 per 100,000 residents, 80% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 5,003 per 100,000 (155% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent76.8/100K
80% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape25.6/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault51.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property5,003.2/100K
155% above US avg
Burglary102.4/100K
Theft4,849.7/100K
Vehicle Theft51.2/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Baxter has an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 9°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation is 30.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

9°F Jan (-13°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average41.1°F
24% below US avg
January Average9°F (-13°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall30.6 inches
19% below US avg
Snowfall48.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,190 ft (363 m)
Area18.9 sq mi (48.8 km²)
Population Density467/sq mi
Coordinates46.3439°N, 94.2760°W
County FIPS27035
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 37.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (12% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 31.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 65%
D 33.6%

Winner: Republican by 31.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+37.7%
12% above US avg
High School+96.9%
School Test Score6.08
A Education Grade (4.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density467/sq mi
Total Area18.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations4
Alt Fuel Stations7
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities256
Restaurants219
Retail Stores381

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.4 min
Work from Home16.6%

Nearby Cities

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