Brownton, MN

Minnesota

Brownton is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 530. Residents earn $77,159 per year, which is 3% above the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
530 Population 1,325/sq mi density
$77,159 Median Income $35,481 per capita
$148,500 Home Value $284,964 Zillow
$833 Median Rent
44°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$77,159 median income, 2.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$148,500 home value, $833/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
10.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $77,159
3% higher than US avg
Home Value $148,500
47% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 10.3%
69% lower than US avg
Median Rent $833
28% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.2%
31% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.8%
22% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.8%
61% lower than US avg

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

People

Population530
Median Age46.2 yrs
Density1,325/mi²
Male / Female54% / 46%
Largest GroupWhite 90%

Economy

A
Median Income$77,159
Per Capita$35,481
Unemployment2.8%
Poverty4.8%
County GDP$2,397M
Commute34 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$148,500
Rent$833
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$284,964

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property541/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary271/100K

Health

Obesity42.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.1%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp44°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain31.7 in/yr
Elevation1,028 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+10.3%
High School+87.4%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 68% / D 30%
Commute34 min
Libraries4

Is Brownton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Brownton receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Brownton offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Brownton is $77,159, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.8%. Only 4.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 34 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Brownton is $148,500, 47% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $833 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.

Safety & Crime

Brownton is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 541 per 100,000, 72% below the national average.

Education

10.3% 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

Brownton has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F. Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 31.7 inches, including 50.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Brownton has a population of 530 with a density of 1,325 people per square mile. The median age is 46.2 years, 19% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.4%).

Population

530
Total Population
1,325
People / sq mi
46.2yrs
Median Age
19% above US avg
0.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 53.8%
Female 46.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Brownton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Brownton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Brownton is $77,159, which is 3% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 34 minutes.

Income: Brownton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$77,159
3% above US avg
Per Capita Income$35,481
Avg Weekly Wage$1,096
IRS Avg AGI$72,945

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.8%
22% below US avg
Poverty Rate4.8%
61% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,049
County GDP$2,397M

Business (County)

Restaurants68
Healthcare124
Retail133
Manufacturing69

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,970
13% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.67%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time34.3 min
Work from Home12.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Brownton is $148,500, 47% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $833 (28% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $284,964.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$148,500
47% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$284,964
Median List Price$229,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$229,900
$/Sq Ft$150
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio98.8%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory1

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$833
28% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied87.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,970
13% above US avg
Effective Rate2.67%
In Brownton, 42.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.1% report depression. 24.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.2%
31% above US avg
Diabetes9.3%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure28.5%
Asthma10.1%
COPD5.4%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.3%
Physical Inactivity24.7%
Depression25.1%
Mental Distress17.3%
Physical Distress11.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.9%
Checkup Rate70.6%
Premature Death5,843/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.2/10
Exercise Access74.3%
Healthcare Facilities124
Brownton has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 541 per 100,000 (72% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property541.3/100K
72% below US avg
Burglary270.6/100K
Theft0.0/100K
Vehicle Theft270.6/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
Brownton has an average annual temperature of 44°F (6°C). Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 31.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

12°F Jan (-11°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average43.6°F
19% below US avg
January Average12°F (-11°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall31.7 inches
17% below US avg
Snowfall50.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,028 ft (313 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²)
Population Density1,325/sq mi
Coordinates44.7325°N, 94.3509°W
County FIPS27085
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 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 38-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 68.1%
D 30.2%

Winner: Republican by 38 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+10.3%
69% below US avg
High School+87.4%
School Test Score6.08
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density1,325/sq mi
Total Area0.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities124
Restaurants68
Retail Stores133

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4
C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute34.3 min
Work from Home12.4%

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