Fergus Falls, MN

Minnesota

Fergus Falls is a small city in Minnesota with a population of 14,138. Residents earn $50,865 per year, which is 32% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
14,138 Population 982/sq mi density
$50,865 Median Income $33,280 per capita
$173,300 Home Value $193,374 Zillow
$839 Median Rent
42°F Avg Temperature
321 Violent Crime/100K 3,543 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$50,865 median income, 4.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$173,300 home value, $839/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
321 violent crimes/100K (16% below avg)
B
Education
3.2 / 5.0
27.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $50,865
32% lower than US avg
Home Value $173,300
39% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 321/100K
16% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 27.8%
18% lower than US avg
Median Rent $839
28% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.7%
11% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.6%
28% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.1%
59% lower than US avg

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

People

Population14,138
Median Age42.0 yrs
Density982/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 91%

Economy

B+
Median Income$50,865
Per Capita$33,280
Unemployment4.6%
Poverty5.1%
County GDP$386M
Commute13 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$173,300
Rent$839
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$193,374

Crime

F
Violent321/100K
Property3,543/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault254/100K
Burglary544/100K

Health

Obesity35.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.4%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp42°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain26.9 in/yr
Elevation1,195 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+27.8%
High School+95.5%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 29%
Commute13 min
EV Stations4
Libraries1

Is Fergus Falls a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Fergus Falls receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Fergus Falls offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Fergus Falls is $50,865, 32% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.6%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 5.1% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 13 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Fergus Falls is $173,300, 39% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $839 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Fergus Falls is below the national average at 321 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,543 per 100,000, 81% above the national average.

Education

27.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 95.5% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Fergus Falls has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F. Winters average 9°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 26.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Fergus Falls has a population of 14,138 with a density of 982 people per square mile. The median age is 42.0 years, 8% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91.1%), with 1.2% Black.

Population

14,138
Total Population
982
People / sq mi
42.0yrs
Median Age
8% above US avg
14.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47%
Female 53%

Race & Ethnicity

Fergus Falls vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.5%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.5%
89% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Fergus Falls vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Fergus Falls is $50,865, which is 32% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.6% (above the 3.6% US average). 5.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 13 minutes.

Income: Fergus Falls vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$50,865
32% below US avg
Per Capita Income$33,280
Avg Weekly Wage$1,077
IRS Avg AGI$71,164

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.6%
28% above US avg
Poverty Rate5.1%
59% below US avg
Establishments (County)208
County GDP$386M

Business (County)

Restaurants7
Healthcare20
Retail20
Manufacturing4

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,733
7% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.15%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time12.8 min
Work from Home10.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Fergus Falls is $173,300, 39% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $839 (28% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $193,374.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$173,300
39% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$193,374
Median List Price$244,450

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$244,450
$/Sq Ft$113
Homes Sold8
Sale-to-List Ratio99.6%
Price Drops27.8%
Inventory18

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$839
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-Occupied63.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,733
7% above US avg
Effective Rate2.15%
In Fergus Falls, 35.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.4% report depression. 24.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Fergus Falls vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.7%
11% above US avg
Diabetes9.3%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure26.6%
Asthma10.6%
COPD6.0%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.9%
Physical Inactivity24.9%
Depression26.4%
Mental Distress17.9%
Physical Distress12.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.4%
Checkup Rate71.5%
Premature Death9,030/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access56.8%
Healthcare Facilities20
Fergus Falls has a violent crime rate of 321 per 100,000 residents, 16% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,543 per 100,000 (81% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent320.7/100K
16% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape22.4/100K
Robbery44.8/100K
Assault253.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,542.7/100K
81% above US avg
Burglary544.5/100K
Theft2,960.9/100K
Vehicle Theft37.3/100K
Arson14.9/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Fergus Falls has an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 9°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 26.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

9°F Jan (-13°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average41.9°F
22% below US avg
January Average9°F (-13°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall26.9 inches
29% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,195 ft (364 m)
Area14.4 sq mi (37.3 km²)
Population Density982/sq mi
Coordinates46.2850°N, 96.0761°W
County FIPS27167
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 27.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (18% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 39-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 68.5%
D 29.5%

Winner: Republican by 39 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+27.8%
18% below US avg
High School+95.5%
School Test Score6.08
B Education Grade (3.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density982/sq mi
Total Area14.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations4
Alt Fuel Stations6
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities20
Restaurants7
Retail Stores20

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute12.8 min
Work from Home10.2%

Nearby Cities

Compare Fergus Falls with another city: