Grand Marais, MN

Minnesota

Grand Marais is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 1,700. Residents earn $73,846 per year, which is 2% below the national average.

4.4 /5.0
A Great
1,700 Population 584/sq mi density
$73,846 Median Income $38,063 per capita
$283,700 Home Value $396,853 Zillow
$1,013 Median Rent 26.2% income on rent
40°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.4 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$73,846 median income, 0.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.5 / 5.0
$283,700 home value, $1,013/mo rent
A
Education
4.5 / 5.0
43.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $73,846
2% lower than US avg
Home Value $283,700
1% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 43.5%
29% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,013
13% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.7%
5% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.4%
89% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.7%
38% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,700
Median Age45.3 yrs
Density584/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 87%
Veterans8.5%

Economy

A
Median Income$73,846
Per Capita$38,063
Unemployment0.4%
Poverty7.7%
County GDP$388M
Commute10 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$283,700
Rent$1,013
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$396,853
Rent Burden26.2%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity33.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.4%
Heart Disease4.5%

Climate

Avg Temp40°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain25.9 in/yr
Elevation873 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+43.5%
High School+96.3%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 31% / D 66%
Commute10 min
Broadband91.7%
EV Stations4
Libraries1

Is Grand Marais a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Grand Marais receives an overall livability score of 4.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Grand Marais stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Grand Marais is $73,846, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.4%. Only 7.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 10 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Grand Marais is $283,700, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,013 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.8x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 43.5% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 96.3% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Grand Marais has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 40°F. Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 60°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 25.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Grand Marais has a population of 1,700 with a density of 584 people per square mile. The median age is 45.3 years, 16% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (87%), with 9.4% Hispanic.

Population

1,700
Total Population
584
People / sq mi
45.3yrs
Median Age
16% above US avg
2.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.4%
Female 49.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Grand Marais vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Grand Marais vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Grand Marais is $73,846, which is 2% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 7.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 10 minutes.

Income: Grand Marais vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$73,846
2% below US avg
Per Capita Income$38,063
Avg Weekly Wage$870
IRS Avg AGI$71,624

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.4%
89% below US avg
Poverty Rate7.7%
38% below US avg
Establishments (County)333
County GDP$388M

Business (County)

Restaurants68
Healthcare10
Retail50
Manufacturing6

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,269
51% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.86%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time10.0 min
Drive Alone51.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home14.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Grand Marais is $283,700, 1% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,013 (13% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $396,853.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$283,700
1% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$396,853

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,013
13% below US avg
Rent Burden26.2%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied69.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,269
51% above US avg
Effective Rate1.86%
In Grand Marais, 33.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.4% report depression. 19.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Grand Marais vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.7%
5% above US avg
Diabetes8.0%
Heart Disease4.5%
High Blood Pressure26.0%
Asthma10.1%
COPD4.2%
Stroke2.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.3%
Physical Inactivity19.6%
Depression25.4%
Mental Distress15.7%
Physical Distress10.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.7%
Checkup Rate72.9%
Premature Death4,570/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access88.5%
Healthcare Facilities10

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Grand Marais has an average annual temperature of 40°F (4°C). Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 60°F in July. Annual precipitation is 25.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

15°F Jan (-9°C) 60°F Jul (16°C)
Annual Average39.5°F
27% below US avg
January Average15°F (-9°C)
July Average60°F (16°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall25.9 inches
32% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation873 ft (266 m)
Area2.9 sq mi (7.5 km²)
Population Density584/sq mi
Coordinates47.7586°N, 90.3443°W
County FIPS27031
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 43.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (29% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 35-point margin. 91.7% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 31.4%
D 66.4%

Winner: Democrat by 35 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+43.5%
29% above US avg
High School+96.3%
School Test Score6.08
A Education Grade (4.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density584/sq mi
Total Area2.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access91.7%
EV Charging Stations4
Alt Fuel Stations4
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities10
Restaurants68
Retail Stores50

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute10.0 min
Drive Alone51.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home14.8%

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