Brookston, MN

Minnesota · Metropolitan Area

Brookston is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 69. Residents earn $45,833 per year, which is 39% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
69 Population 125/sq mi density
$45,833 Median Income $26,406 per capita
$120,800 Home Value $194,313 Zillow
$625 Median Rent 25.0% income on rent
40°F Avg Temperature 249 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.6 / 5.0
$45,833 median income, 10.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$120,800 home value, $625/mo rent
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
10.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $45,833
39% lower than US avg
Home Value $120,800
57% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 10.3%
69% lower than US avg
Median Rent $625
46% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.8%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 10.2%
183% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.7%
38% lower than US avg

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

People

Population69
Median Age51.3 yrs
Density125/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 75%
Veterans58.0%

Economy

C+
Median Income$45,833
Per Capita$26,406
Unemployment10.2%
Poverty7.7%
County GDP$1,907M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$120,800
Rent$625
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$194,313
Housing Units46
Rent Burden25.0%

Health

Obesity39.8%
Uninsured9.7%
Smoking22.3%
Depression26.3%
Heart Disease7.0%

Climate

Avg Temp40°F (4°C)
AQI36 (Good)
Rain32.7 in/yr
Sunny Days249/yr
Elevation1,245 ft (379 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+10.3%
High School+94.8%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 50% / D 48%
Commute24 min
Broadband28.0%
Libraries3

Is Brookston a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Brookston receives an overall livability score of 3.1 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 above-average unemployment, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Brookston offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Brookston is $45,833, 39% below the national average of $75,149. At 10.2%, unemployment is notably high. Only 7.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Brookston is $120,800, 57% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $625 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

10.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.8% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Brookston has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 40°F. Winters average 10°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. The area gets 249 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 32.7 inches, including 71.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Brookston has a population of 69 with a density of 125 people per square mile. The median age is 51.3 years, 32% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (75.4%), with 24.6% Hispanic.

Population

69
Total Population
125
People / sq mi
51.3yrs
Median Age
32% above US avg
0.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.7%
Female 49.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Brookston vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Brookston vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Brookston is $45,833, which is 39% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 10.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 7.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Brookston vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$45,833
39% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,406
Avg Weekly Wage$1,117
IRS Avg AGI$67,169

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment10.2%
183% above US avg
Poverty Rate7.7%
38% below US avg
Establishments (County)816
County GDP$1,907M

Business (County)

Restaurants54
Healthcare102
Retail99
Manufacturing27

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,404
26% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.65%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.4 min
Drive Alone85.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home15.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Brookston is $120,800, 57% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $625 (46% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $194,313.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$120,800
57% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$194,313

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$625
46% below US avg
Rent Burden25.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied85.7%
Housing Units46
Median Year Built1973

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,404
26% above US avg
Effective Rate3.65%
In Brookston, 39.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 9.7% of residents lack health insurance. 22.3% are current smokers. 26.3% report depression. 27.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.8%
24% above US avg
Diabetes11.9%
Heart Disease7.0%
High Blood Pressure31.5%
Asthma11.5%
COPD7.0%
Cancer6.9%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking22.3%
59% above US avg
Binge Drinking20.7%
Physical Inactivity27.5%
Depression26.3%
Mental Distress20.0%
Physical Distress14.8%
Short Sleep38.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.3%
Uninsured9.7%
13% above US avg
Checkup Rate71.0%
Dental Visits55.5%
Premature Death7,923/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access62.7%
Healthcare Facilities102
Brookston has an average annual temperature of 40°F (4°C). Winters average 10°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. Annual precipitation is 32.7 inches. The area enjoys 249 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

10°F Jan (-12°C) 66°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average39.7°F
26% below US avg
January Average10°F (-12°C)
July Average66°F (19°C)
Sunny Days249 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall32.7 inches
14% below US avg
Snowfall71.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,245 ft (379 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.4 km²)
Population Density125/sq mi
Coordinates46.8651°N, 92.6017°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS27017
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 10.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (69% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 2.6-point margin. 28.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 50.3%
D 47.7%

Winner: Republican by 2.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+10.3%
69% below US avg
High School+94.8%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score6.08
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density125/sq mi
Total Area0.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access28.0%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities102
Restaurants54
Retail Stores99

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.4 min
Drive Alone85.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home15.0%

Nearby Cities

Compare Brookston with another city: