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Big Falls, MN

Minnesota

Big Falls is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 157. Residents earn $26,071 per year, which is 65% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
157 Population 26/sq mi density
$26,071 Median Income $29,245 per capita
$48,500 Home Value
$550 Median Rent 27.5% income on rent
38°F Avg Temperature 269 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$26,071 median income, 3.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$48,500 home value, $550/mo rent
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $26,071
65% lower than US avg
Home Value $48,500
83% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.3%
66% lower than US avg
Median Rent $550
53% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.2%
16% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.9%
8% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.0%
68% lower than US avg

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

People

Population157
Median Age63.0 yrs
Density26/mi²
Male / Female42% / 58%
Largest GroupWhite 95%
Veterans6.0%

Economy

B
Median Income$26,071
Per Capita$29,245
Unemployment3.9%
Poverty4.0%
County GDP$643M
Commute25 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$48,500
Rent$550
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units154
Rent Burden27.5%

Health

Obesity37.2%
Uninsured8.0%
Smoking17.1%
Depression27.1%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp38°F (3°C)
AQI36 (Good)
Rain27.3 in/yr
Sunny Days269/yr
Elevation1,222 ft (372 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.3%
High School+96.0%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 62% / D 36%
Commute25 min
Broadband79.3%
Libraries1

Is Big Falls a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Big Falls receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Big Falls offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Big Falls is $26,071, 65% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.9%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 4.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Big Falls is $48,500, 83% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $550 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.

Education

11.3% 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

Big Falls has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 38°F. Winters average 5°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. With 269 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 27.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Big Falls has a population of 157 with a density of 26 people per square mile. The median age is 63.0 years, 62% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.9%), with 1.3% Hispanic.

Population

157
Total Population
26
People / sq mi
63.0yrs
Median Age
62% above US avg
6.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 42%
Female 58%

Race & Ethnicity

Big Falls vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.3%
26% above US avg
Spanish0.7%
95% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Big Falls vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Big Falls is $26,071, which is 65% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.9% (above the 3.6% US average). 4.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Big Falls vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$26,071
65% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,245
Avg Weekly Wage$1,093
IRS Avg AGI$62,473

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.9%
8% above US avg
Poverty Rate4.0%
68% below US avg
Establishments (County)428
County GDP$643M

Business (County)

Restaurants42
Healthcare51
Retail74
Manufacturing8

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,029
13% below US avg
Cost of Living98.60 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate6.25%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.3 min
Drive Alone65.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home27.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Big Falls is $48,500, 83% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $550 (53% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$48,500
83% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$550
53% below US avg
Rent Burden27.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied79.2%
Housing Units154
Median Year Built1973

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,029
13% below US avg
Effective Rate6.25%
In Big Falls, 37.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 8.0% of residents lack health insurance. 17.1% are current smokers. 27.1% report depression. 25.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Big Falls vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.2%
16% above US avg
Diabetes9.2%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure29.1%
Asthma10.7%
COPD5.9%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking17.1%
22% above US avg
Binge Drinking20.7%
Physical Inactivity25.8%
Depression27.1%
Mental Distress18.1%
Physical Distress12.3%
Short Sleep31.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.8%
Uninsured8.0%
7% below US avg
Checkup Rate71.6%
Dental Visits66.3%
Premature Death8,809/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.4/10
Exercise Access77.1%
Healthcare Facilities51
Big Falls has an average annual temperature of 38°F (3°C). Winters average 5°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. Annual precipitation is 27.3 inches. The area enjoys 269 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

5°F Jan (-15°C) 65°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average37.5°F
31% below US avg
January Average5°F (-15°C)
July Average65°F (18°C)
Sunny Days269 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall27.3 inches
28% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,222 ft (372 m)
Area6.0 sq mi (15.6 km²)
Population Density26/sq mi
Coordinates48.1796°N, 93.8092°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS27071
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 11.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (66% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 25.7-point margin. 79.3% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 62%
D 36.4%

Winner: Republican by 25.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.3%
66% below US avg
High School+96.0%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score6.08
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density26/sq mi
Total Area6.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access79.3%
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities51
Restaurants42
Retail Stores74

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.3 min
Drive Alone65.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home27.4%

Nearby Cities

Emo, ON 1,204 pop · 31.4 mi International Falls, MN 5,728 pop · 33.6 mi Fort Frances, ON 7,466 pop · 35.6 mi Baudette, MN 1,117 pop · 51.4 mi Redby, MN 1,175 pop · 54.9 mi Red Lake, MN 1,506 pop · 59.3 mi Nashwauk, MN 1,035 pop · 62.8 mi Little Rock, MN 1,075 pop · 63.5 mi Keewatin, MN 1,229 pop · 63.6 mi Chisholm, MN 4,731 pop · 64.4 mi Cohasset, MN 2,700 pop · 65.1 mi Coleraine, MN 1,888 pop · 65.7 mi Grand Rapids, MN 11,186 pop · 66.3 mi Buhl, MN 1,013 pop · 67.0 mi
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