Browns Valley, MN

Minnesota

Browns Valley is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 453. Residents earn $53,056 per year, which is 29% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
453 Population 573/sq mi density
$53,056 Median Income $27,128 per capita
$76,500 Home Value $124,448 Zillow
$850 Median Rent 23.8% income on rent
43°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.9 / 5.0
$53,056 median income, 5.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$76,500 home value, $850/mo rent
F
Education
1.5 / 5.0
5.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $53,056
29% lower than US avg
Home Value $76,500
73% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 5.7%
83% lower than US avg
Median Rent $850
27% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.5%
26% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.2%
44% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 18.3%
48% higher than US avg

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

People

Population453
Median Age47.0 yrs
Density573/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 57%
Veterans13.7%

Economy

C+
Median Income$53,056
Per Capita$27,128
Unemployment5.2%
Poverty18.3%
County GDP$563M
Commute13 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$76,500
Rent$850
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$124,448
Rent Burden23.8%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity40.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.2%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp43°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain25.4 in/yr
Elevation984 ft

Education

F
Bachelor's+5.7%
High School+87.4%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 61% / D 38%
Commute13 min
Broadband75.6%
Libraries3

Is Browns Valley a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Browns Valley receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Browns Valley offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Browns Valley is $53,056, 29% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.2% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 18.3% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 13 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Browns Valley is $76,500, 73% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $850 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

5.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.4% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Browns Valley has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F. Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 25.4 inches, including 44.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Browns Valley has a population of 453 with a density of 573 people per square mile. The median age is 47.0 years, 21% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (56.7%), with 43.3% Hispanic.

Population

453
Total Population
573
People / sq mi
47.0yrs
Median Age
21% above US avg
0.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.4%
Female 53.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Browns Valley vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only89.0%
13% above US avg
Spanish11.0%
18% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Browns Valley vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Browns Valley is $53,056, which is 29% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 18.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 13 minutes.

Income: Browns Valley vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$53,056
29% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,128
Avg Weekly Wage$871
IRS Avg AGI$70,590

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.2%
44% above US avg
Poverty Rate18.3%
48% above US avg
Establishments (County)315
County GDP$563M

Business (County)

Restaurants21
Healthcare18
Retail40
Manufacturing11

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,300
23% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.62%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time13.1 min
Drive Alone62.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home24.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Browns Valley is $76,500, 73% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $850 (27% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $124,448.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$76,500
73% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$124,448

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$850
27% below US avg
Rent Burden23.8%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied63.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,300
23% above US avg
Effective Rate5.62%
In Browns Valley, 40.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.2% report depression. 26.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Browns Valley vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.5%
26% above US avg
Diabetes10.3%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure29.4%
Asthma11.6%
COPD5.7%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.7%
Physical Inactivity26.0%
Depression26.2%
Mental Distress18.7%
Physical Distress13.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.9%
Checkup Rate72.3%
Premature Death15,878/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.3/10
Exercise Access8.8%
Healthcare Facilities18

Crime Rates: Browns Valley vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Browns Valley has an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 25.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

11°F Jan (-11°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average43.0°F
20% below US avg
January Average11°F (-11°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall25.4 inches
33% below US avg
Snowfall44.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation984 ft (300 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²)
Population Density573/sq mi
Coordinates45.5947°N, 96.8327°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS46109
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 5.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (83% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 23-point margin. 75.6% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 60.6%
D 37.6%

Winner: Republican by 23 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+5.7%
83% below US avg
High School+87.4%
School Test Score6.08
F Education Grade (1.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density573/sq mi
Total Area0.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access75.6%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities18
Restaurants21
Retail Stores40

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute13.1 min
Drive Alone62.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home24.3%

Nearby Cities

Compare Browns Valley with another city: