Deer River, MN

Minnesota

Deer River is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 887. Residents earn $38,029 per year, which is 49% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
887 Population 584/sq mi density
$38,029 Median Income $24,995 per capita
$100,000 Home Value $243,568 Zillow
$680 Median Rent 31.1% income on rent
40°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.6 / 5.0
$38,029 median income, 0.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$100,000 home value, $680/mo rent
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
14.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $38,029
49% lower than US avg
Home Value $100,000
65% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.9%
56% lower than US avg
Median Rent $680
42% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.3%
22% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.6%
83% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 29.6%
139% higher than US avg

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

People

Population887
Median Age32.8 yrs
Density584/mi²
Male / Female51% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 78%
Veterans9.8%

Economy

C+
Median Income$38,029
Per Capita$24,995
Unemployment0.6%
Poverty29.6%
County GDP$2,579M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$100,000
Rent$680
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$243,568
Rent Burden31.1%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity39.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.1%
Heart Disease6.6%

Climate

Avg Temp40°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain27.7 in/yr
Elevation1,280 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.9%
High School+88.6%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 59% / D 39%
Commute26 min
Broadband73.2%
EV Stations1
Libraries6

Is Deer River a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Deer River receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Deer River offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Deer River is $38,029, 49% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.6%. The poverty rate of 29.6% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Deer River is $100,000, 65% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $680 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

14.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.6% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Deer River has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 40°F. Winters average 8°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 27.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Deer River has a population of 887 with a density of 584 people per square mile. The median age is 32.8 years, 16% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (78.4%), with 21% Hispanic.

Population

887
Total Population
584
People / sq mi
32.8yrs
Median Age
16% below US avg
1.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.5%
Female 49.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Deer River vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.3%
21% above US avg
Spanish4.7%
65% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Deer River vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Deer River is $38,029, which is 49% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 29.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Deer River vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$38,029
49% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,995
Avg Weekly Wage$1,040
IRS Avg AGI$70,727

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.6%
83% below US avg
Poverty Rate29.6%
139% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,352
County GDP$2,579M

Business (County)

Restaurants107
Healthcare170
Retail178
Manufacturing36

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,534
30% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.53%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.2 min
Drive Alone75.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home2.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Deer River is $100,000, 65% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $680 (42% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $243,568.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$100,000
65% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$243,568
Median List Price$139,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$139,900
$/Sq Ft$42
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio74.0%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory2

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$680
42% below US avg
Rent Burden31.1%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied64.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,534
30% above US avg
Effective Rate4.53%
In Deer River, 39.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.1% report depression. 27.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Deer River vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.3%
22% above US avg
Diabetes12.1%
Heart Disease6.6%
High Blood Pressure32.5%
Asthma11.5%
COPD7.2%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.6%
Physical Inactivity27.8%
Depression27.1%
Mental Distress19.4%
Physical Distress14.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate84.1%
Checkup Rate71.8%
Premature Death9,838/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.9/10
Exercise Access65.9%
Healthcare Facilities170

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Safety Score

Deer River has an average annual temperature of 40°F (4°C). Winters average 8°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation is 27.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

8°F Jan (-14°C) 67°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average39.6°F
27% below US avg
January Average8°F (-14°C)
July Average67°F (20°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall27.7 inches
27% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,280 ft (390 m)
Area1.5 sq mi (3.9 km²)
Population Density584/sq mi
Coordinates47.3391°N, 93.7928°W
County FIPS27061
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 14.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (56% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 20.2-point margin. 73.2% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 59.3%
D 39.1%

Winner: Republican by 20.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.9%
56% below US avg
High School+88.6%
School Test Score6.08
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density584/sq mi
Total Area1.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access73.2%
EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities170
Restaurants107
Retail Stores178

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.2 min
Drive Alone75.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home2.2%

Nearby Cities

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