Cottonwood, MN

Minnesota

Cottonwood is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 1,120. Residents earn $90,750 per year, which is 21% above the national average.

4.3 /5.0
A Great
1,120 Population 1,120/sq mi density
$90,750 Median Income $44,540 per capita
$180,200 Home Value $240,666 Zillow
$914 Median Rent
45°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.3 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.7 / 5.0
$90,750 median income, 2.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$180,200 home value, $914/mo rent
B
Education
3.2 / 5.0
27.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $90,750
21% higher than US avg
Home Value $180,200
36% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 27.1%
20% lower than US avg
Median Rent $914
21% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.1%
19% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.6%
28% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.7%
78% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,120
Median Age37.0 yrs
Density1,120/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 95%

Economy

A+
Median Income$90,750
Per Capita$44,540
Unemployment2.6%
Poverty2.7%
County GDP$784M
Commute15 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$180,200
Rent$914
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$240,666

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity38.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.8%
Heart Disease5.1%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain28.6 in/yr
Elevation1,071 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+27.1%
High School+98.0%
School Score5.99

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 29%
Commute15 min
Libraries3

Is Cottonwood a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Cottonwood receives an overall livability score of 4.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Cottonwood stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Cottonwood is $90,750, 21% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.6%. Only 2.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Cottonwood is $180,200, 36% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $914 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

27.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 98.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 6/10.

Climate & Weather

Cottonwood has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 28.6 inches, including 51.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Cottonwood has a population of 1,120 with a density of 1,120 people per square mile. The median age is 37.0 years, 5% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.3%).

Population

1,120
Total Population
1,120
People / sq mi
37.0yrs
Median Age
5% below US avg
1.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.4%
Female 47.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Cottonwood vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only93.8%
19% above US avg
Spanish6.2%
54% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Cottonwood vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Cottonwood is $90,750, which is 21% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes.

Income: Cottonwood vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$90,750
21% above US avg
Per Capita Income$44,540
Avg Weekly Wage$954
IRS Avg AGI$74,153

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.6%
28% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.7%
78% below US avg
Establishments (County)388
County GDP$784M

Business (County)

Restaurants24
Healthcare31
Retail46
Manufacturing17

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,238
7% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.80%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time15.0 min
Work from Home8.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Cottonwood is $180,200, 36% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $914 (21% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $240,666.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$180,200
36% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$240,666
Median List Price$127,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$127,500
$/Sq Ft$89
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio93.9%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory1

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$914
21% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$671
1 Bedroom$766
2 Bedrooms$973
3 Bedrooms$1,353
4 Bedrooms$1,415

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied78.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,238
7% below US avg
Effective Rate1.80%
In Cottonwood, 38.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.8% report depression. 22.2% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.1%
19% above US avg
Diabetes8.7%
Heart Disease5.1%
High Blood Pressure27.5%
Asthma10.4%
COPD5.1%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.4%
Physical Inactivity22.2%
Depression24.8%
Mental Distress16.8%
Physical Distress11.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.3%
Checkup Rate72.7%
Premature Death8,670/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access45.1%
Healthcare Facilities31

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Cottonwood has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 28.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

13°F Jan (-10°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average44.7°F
17% below US avg
January Average13°F (-10°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall28.6 inches
25% below US avg
Snowfall51.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,071 ft (326 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²)
Population Density1,120/sq mi
Coordinates44.6110°N, 95.6719°W
County FIPS27173
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 27.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (20% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 40.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 69.3%
D 28.7%

Winner: Republican by 40.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+27.1%
20% below US avg
High School+98.0%
School Test Score5.99
B Education Grade (3.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density1,120/sq mi
Total Area1.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities31
Restaurants24
Retail Stores46

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute15.0 min
Work from Home8.1%

Nearby Cities

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