Fosston, MN

Minnesota

Fosston is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 1,283. Residents earn $50,694 per year, which is 33% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
1,283 Population 638/sq mi density
$50,694 Median Income $27,531 per capita
$126,500 Home Value $214,844 Zillow
$846 Median Rent
39°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$50,694 median income, 5.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$126,500 home value, $846/mo rent
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
22.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $50,694
33% lower than US avg
Home Value $126,500
55% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 22.1%
34% lower than US avg
Median Rent $846
27% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.3%
26% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.6%
56% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 15.2%
23% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,283
Median Age45.7 yrs
Density638/mi²
Male / Female43% / 57%
Largest GroupWhite 93%

Economy

B
Median Income$50,694
Per Capita$27,531
Unemployment5.6%
Poverty15.2%
County GDP$393M
Commute14 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$126,500
Rent$846
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$214,844

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity40.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.3%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp39°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain26.6 in/yr
Elevation1,291 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+22.1%
High School+82.0%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 74% / D 24%
Commute14 min
EV Stations1
Libraries1

Is Fosston a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Fosston receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Fosston offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Fosston is $50,694, 33% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.6% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 15.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Fosston is $126,500, 55% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $846 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

22.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 82.0% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Fosston has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 39°F. Winters average 5°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 26.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Fosston has a population of 1,283 with a density of 638 people per square mile. The median age is 45.7 years, 17% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93.1%), with 2.8% Hispanic.

Population

1,283
Total Population
638
People / sq mi
45.7yrs
Median Age
17% above US avg
2.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 42.9%
Female 57.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Fosston vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.4%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.6%
88% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Fosston vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Fosston is $50,694, which is 33% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.6% (above the 3.6% US average). 15.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes.

Income: Fosston vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$50,694
33% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,531
Avg Weekly Wage$1,116
IRS Avg AGI$60,554

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.6%
56% above US avg
Poverty Rate15.2%
23% above US avg
Establishments (County)231
County GDP$393M

Business (County)

Restaurants20
Healthcare17
Retail37
Manufacturing11

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,300
34% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.82%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time14.3 min
Work from Home7.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Fosston is $126,500, 55% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $846 (27% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $214,844.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$126,500
55% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$214,844

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$846
27% 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-Occupied56.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,300
34% below US avg
Effective Rate1.82%
In Fosston, 40.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.3% report depression. 26.2% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.3%
26% above US avg
Diabetes9.6%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure28.0%
Asthma10.9%
COPD6.4%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.5%
Physical Inactivity26.2%
Depression27.3%
Mental Distress18.1%
Physical Distress12.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.2%
Checkup Rate71.5%
Premature Death9,847/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.1/10
Exercise Access59.4%
Healthcare Facilities17

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Fosston has an average annual temperature of 39°F (4°C). Winters average 5°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation is 26.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

5°F Jan (-15°C) 67°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average38.8°F
28% below US avg
January Average5°F (-15°C)
July Average67°F (19°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall26.6 inches
30% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,291 ft (393 m)
Area2.0 sq mi (5.2 km²)
Population Density638/sq mi
Coordinates47.5851°N, 95.7527°W
County FIPS27029
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 22.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (34% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 50.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 74.4%
D 24.3%

Winner: Republican by 50.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+22.1%
34% below US avg
High School+82.0%
School Test Score6.08
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density638/sq mi
Total Area2.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities17
Restaurants20
Retail Stores37

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute14.3 min
Work from Home7.7%

Nearby Cities

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