Brainerd, MN
Full City Profile · Minnesota · Crow Wing County County
2.8
/5.0
C+
Fair
14,474
Population
1,193/sq mi density
$53,705
Median Income
$29,935 per capita
$178,600
Home Value
$315,174 Zillow
$848
Median Rent
27.0% income on rent
42°F
Avg Temperature
431
Violent Crime/100K
1,786 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$53,705 median income, 8.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$178,600 home value, $848/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
431 violent crimes/100K (13% above avg)
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
19.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Brainerd has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 24.5 inches. The area receives 48.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.
Temperature
11°F Jan (-12°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 42.2°F |
| 22% below US avg | |
| January Average | 11°F (-12°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,211 ft (369 m) |
| Area | 12.1 sq mi (31.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,193/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 46.3553°N, 94.1984°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Crow Wing County County |
| Nearest Airport | Brainerd Lakes Regional (BRD) 5 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 81.4% |
| Unhealthy Days | 1 |
Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)
| Ozone (O₃) | 0.0429 ppm |
| PM2.5 (Fine Particles) | 7.3 μg/m³ |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 77.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 35.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 97.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 11°F (-12°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 16°F (-9°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| March | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.0 in | |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 1.6 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 3.3 in | |
| June | 65°F (18°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 4.4 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 67°F (20°C) | 3.1 in | |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 2.6 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 2.4 in | |
| November | 31°F (-1°C) | 0.9 in | |
| December | 17°F (-8°C) | 0.6 in |
Brainerd has a seasonal temperature swing of 59°F / from 11°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 24.5 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.4") and February the driest (0.4").