Minnesota
Bena is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 59. Residents earn $60,417 per year, which is 20% below the national average.
Based on current data, Bena receives an overall livability score of 3.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include a high uninsured rate, high obesity rates. Bena offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
The median household income in Bena is $60,417, 20% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. The poverty rate of 15.4% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.
The median home value in Bena is $112,500, 60% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $632 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.
26.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 81.0% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.
Bena 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 26.6 inches, including 48.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.
| English Only | 78.8% |
| 0% below US avg | |
| Spanish | 21.2% |
| 58% above US avg |
| Median HH Income | $60,417 |
| 20% below US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $18,078 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $894 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $68,529 |
| Unemployment | 0.0% |
| 100% below US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% |
| 24% above US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 684 |
| County GDP | $968M |
| Restaurants | 82 |
| Healthcare | 56 |
| Retail | 109 |
| Manufacturing | 29 |
| Property Tax (IRS) | $4,149 |
| 19% above US avg | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 3.69% |
| Commute Time | 25.7 min |
| Drive Alone | 55.6% |
| Public Transit | 0.0% |
| Work from Home | 16.7% |
| Census Median | $112,500 |
| 60% below US avg |
| Census Median Rent | $632 |
| 46% below US avg | |
| Rent Burden | 31.8% |
| Studio | $809 |
| 1 Bedroom | $899 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,125 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,483 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,698 |
| Owner-Occupied | 76.2% |
| Housing Units | 42 |
| Median Year Built | 1978 |
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $4,149 |
| 19% above US avg | |
| Effective Rate | 3.69% |
| Obesity | 44.9% |
| 40% above US avg | |
| Diabetes | 16.8% |
| Heart Disease | 8.4% |
| High Blood Pressure | 36.4% |
| Asthma | 14.1% |
| COPD | 9.4% |
| Cancer | 6.4% |
| Stroke | 5.1% |
| Smoking | 30.3% |
| 116% above US avg | |
| Binge Drinking | 17.6% |
| Physical Inactivity | 36.1% |
| Depression | 26.8% |
| Mental Distress | 23.1% |
| Physical Distress | 19.1% |
| Short Sleep | 47.4% |
| Insurance Rate | 95.2% |
| Uninsured | 12.2% |
| 42% above US avg | |
| Checkup Rate | 72.2% |
| Dental Visits | 43.3% |
| Premature Death | 6,268/100K |
| Food Environment | 8.4/10 |
| Exercise Access | 56.6% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 56 |
| Annual Average | 40.7°F |
| 25% below US avg | |
| January Average | 8°F (-14°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
| Annual Rainfall | 26.6 inches |
| 30% below US avg | |
| Snowfall | 48.2 inches/yr |
| AQI Median | 36.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Elevation | 1,313 ft (400 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 116/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 47.3410°N, 94.2064°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County FIPS | 27057 |
Winner: Republican by 31.5 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.2% |
| 22% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 81.0% |
| Graduate Degree+ | 2.9% |
| School Test Score | 6.08 |
| RUCC Code 9 | Nonmetro — Rural |
| Population Density | 116/sq mi |
| Total Area | 0.5 sq mi |
| Broadband Access | 21.0% |
| Public Libraries | 1 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 56 |
| Restaurants | 82 |
| Retail Stores | 109 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 1 |
| Avg Commute | 25.7 min |
| Drive Alone | 55.6% |
| Public Transit | 0.0% |
| Work from Home | 16.7% |