Gem Lake, MN

Minnesota · Metropolitan Area

Gem Lake is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 521. Residents earn $146,250 per year, which is 95% above the national average.

4.9 /5.0
A+ Excellent
521 Population 496/sq mi density
$146,250 Median Income $71,195 per capita
$536,600 Home Value $600,544 Zillow
$1,750 Median Rent 51.0% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature
A+
Overall
4.9 / 5.0
Excellent overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$146,250 median income, 0.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.6 / 5.0
$536,600 home value, $1,750/mo rent
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
52.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $146,250
95% higher than US avg
Home Value $536,600
90% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 52.6%
56% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,750
50% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 29.7%
7% lower than US avg
Unemployment 0.3%
92% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.0%
84% lower than US avg

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

People

Population521
Median Age41.2 yrs
Density496/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 93%
Veterans6.7%

Economy

A+
Median Income$146,250
Per Capita$71,195
Unemployment0.3%
Poverty2.0%
County GDP$56,256M
Commute21 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$536,600
Rent$1,750
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$600,544
Rent Burden51.0%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity29.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.9%
Heart Disease4.4%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain33.1 in/yr
Elevation961 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+52.6%
High School+99.7%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 27% / D 71%
Commute21 min
Broadband94.9%
Libraries21

Is Gem Lake a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Gem Lake receives an overall livability score of 4.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Gem Lake stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Gem Lake is $146,250, which is significantly higher than the national average — 95% above $75,149. This places Gem Lake among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.3%. Only 2.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Gem Lake is $536,600, making it a premium housing market at 90% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,750 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. A price-to-income ratio of 3.7x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

Gem Lake is a highly educated community — 52.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 99.7% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Gem Lake experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 33.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Gem Lake has a population of 521 with a density of 496 people per square mile. The median age is 41.2 years, 6% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93.1%).

Population

521
Total Population
496
People / sq mi
41.2yrs
Median Age
6% above US avg
1.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52%
Female 48%

Race & Ethnicity

Gem Lake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.1%
26% above US avg
Spanish0.9%
93% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Gem Lake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Gem Lake is $146,250, which is 95% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Gem Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$146,250
95% above US avg
Per Capita Income$71,195
Avg Weekly Wage$1,498
IRS Avg AGI$85,420

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.3%
92% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.0%
84% below US avg
Establishments (County)15,457
County GDP$56,256M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,243
Healthcare2,303
Retail1,460
Manufacturing532

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,331
81% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.18%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.3 min
Drive Alone73.0%
Public Transit0.4%
Work from Home21.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Gem Lake is $536,600, 90% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,750 (50% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $600,544.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$536,600
90% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$600,544

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,750
50% above US avg
Rent Burden51.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied90.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,331
81% above US avg
Effective Rate1.18%
In Gem Lake, 29.7% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 27.9% report depression. 14.2% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Gem Lake vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity29.7%
7% below US avg
Diabetes7.3%
Heart Disease4.4%
High Blood Pressure24.9%
Asthma10.0%
COPD3.8%
Stroke2.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.1%
Physical Inactivity14.2%
Depression27.9%
Mental Distress15.6%
Physical Distress9.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate100.0%
Checkup Rate72.7%
Premature Death7,827/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.7/10
Exercise Access99.9%
Healthcare Facilities2,303

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)29

Safety Score

Gem Lake has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 33.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-9°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average46.9°F
13% below US avg
January Average17°F (-9°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall33.1 inches
13% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation961 ft (293 m)
Area1.1 sq mi (2.7 km²)
Population Density496/sq mi
Coordinates45.0611°N, 93.0381°W
County FIPS27123
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 52.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (56% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 43.3-point margin. 94.9% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 27.2%
D 70.5%

Winner: Democrat by 43.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+52.6%
56% above US avg
High School+99.7%
School Test Score6.08
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density496/sq mi
Total Area1.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access94.9%
Public Libraries21
Healthcare Facilities2,303
Restaurants1,243
Retail Stores1,460

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)29

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.3 min
Drive Alone73.0%
Public Transit0.4%
Work from Home21.3%

Nearby Cities

Compare Gem Lake with another city: