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Bigelow, MN

Minnesota

Bigelow is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 269. Residents earn $75,625 per year, which is 1% above the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
269 Population 690/sq mi density
$75,625 Median Income $33,616 per capita
$95,000 Home Value
$1,550 Median Rent 9.0% income on rent
44°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$75,625 median income, 7.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$95,000 home value, $1,550/mo rent
D
Education
1.6 / 5.0
7.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $75,625
1% higher than US avg
Home Value $95,000
66% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 7.5%
78% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,550
33% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.1%
19% higher than US avg
Unemployment 7.4%
106% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.7%
38% lower than US avg

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

People

Population269
Median Age36.8 yrs
Density690/mi²
Male / Female62% / 38%
Largest GroupWhite 46%
Veterans0.5%

Economy

B+
Median Income$75,625
Per Capita$33,616
Unemployment7.4%
Poverty7.7%
County GDP$602M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$95,000
Rent$1,550
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units112
Rent Burden9.0%

Health

Obesity38.1%
Uninsured13.7%
Smoking14.7%
Depression22.0%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp44°F (7°C)
AQI36 (Good)
Rain30.5 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation1,646 ft (502 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+7.5%
High School+79.3%
Graduate+4.7%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 81% / D 17%
Commute20 min
Broadband95.0%
Libraries4

Is Bigelow a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bigelow 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, strong internet connectivity. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, a high uninsured rate. Bigelow offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bigelow is $75,625, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 7.4% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 7.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bigelow is $95,000, 66% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,550 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. At just 1.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

7.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 79.3% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Bigelow has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F. Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 30.5 inches, including 45.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Bigelow has a population of 269 with a density of 690 people per square mile. The median age is 36.8 years, 5% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (46.1%).

Population

269
Total Population
690
People / sq mi
36.8yrs
Median Age
5% below US avg
0.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 62.1%
Female 37.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Bigelow vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only57.3%
27% below US avg
Spanish42.7%
219% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Bigelow vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bigelow is $75,625, which is 1% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 7.4% (above the 3.6% US average). 7.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Bigelow vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$75,625
1% above US avg
Per Capita Income$33,616
Avg Weekly Wage$959
IRS Avg AGI$70,321

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment7.4%
106% above US avg
Poverty Rate7.7%
38% below US avg
Establishments (County)272
County GDP$602M

Business (County)

Restaurants8
Healthcare16
Retail28
Manufacturing13

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,900
17% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.05%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.9 min
Drive Alone72.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Bigelow is $95,000, 66% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,550 (33% above US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$95,000
66% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,550
33% above US avg
Rent Burden9.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied65.4%
Housing Units112
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,900
17% below US avg
Effective Rate3.05%
In Bigelow, 38.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 13.7% of residents lack health insurance. 14.7% are current smokers. 22.0% report depression. 27.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.1%
19% above US avg
Diabetes10.3%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure27.3%
Asthma9.1%
COPD5.0%
Cancer6.6%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking14.7%
5% above US avg
Binge Drinking19.6%
Physical Inactivity27.8%
Depression22.0%
Mental Distress15.9%
Physical Distress11.9%
Short Sleep29.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate87.4%
Uninsured13.7%
59% above US avg
Checkup Rate70.8%
Dental Visits65.4%
Premature Death8,292/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.3/10
Exercise Access54.3%
Healthcare Facilities16
Bigelow has an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 30.5 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

14°F Jan (-10°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average44.4°F
18% below US avg
January Average14°F (-10°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall30.5 inches
20% below US avg
Snowfall45.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,646 ft (502 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²)
Population Density690/sq mi
Coordinates43.5053°N, 95.6892°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19143
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 7.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (78% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 64.2-point margin. 95.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 81.5%
D 17.2%

Winner: Republican by 64.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+7.5%
78% below US avg
High School+79.3%
Graduate Degree+4.7%
School Test Score6.08
D Education Grade (1.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density690/sq mi
Total Area0.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access95.0%
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities16
Restaurants8
Retail Stores28

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.9 min
Drive Alone72.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.4%

Nearby Cities

Sibley, IA 2,821 pop · 7.7 mi Worthington, MN 13,792 pop · 9.6 mi Adrian, MN 1,288 pop · 15.1 mi Lake Park, IA 1,191 pop · 18.7 mi George, IA 1,049 pop · 19.4 mi Sanborn, IA 1,510 pop · 22.4 mi Sheldon, IA 5,386 pop · 23.8 mi Rock Rapids, IA 2,653 pop · 24.5 mi Hartley, IA 1,588 pop · 24.9 mi Fulda, MN 1,348 pop · 25.4 mi Luverne, MN 4,907 pop · 28.2 mi Lakefield, MN 1,652 pop · 28.6 mi Milford, IA 3,315 pop · 29.5 mi Spirit Lake, IA 5,469 pop · 29.5 mi
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