Granite Falls, MN

Minnesota

Granite Falls is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 2,612. Residents earn $59,402 per year, which is 21% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
2,612 Population 736/sq mi density
$59,402 Median Income $37,972 per capita
$139,700 Home Value $145,554 Zillow
$818 Median Rent
45°F Avg Temperature
72 Violent Crime/100K 1,760 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$59,402 median income, 3.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$139,700 home value, $818/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
72 violent crimes/100K (81% below avg)
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
23.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $59,402
21% lower than US avg
Home Value $139,700
50% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 72/100K
81% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 23.4%
31% lower than US avg
Median Rent $818
30% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.9%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.0%
17% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.3%
81% lower than US avg

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

People

Population2,612
Median Age41.4 yrs
Density736/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 80%

Economy

A
Median Income$59,402
Per Capita$37,972
Unemployment3.0%
Poverty2.3%
County GDP$784M
Commute16 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$139,700
Rent$818
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$145,554

Crime

F
Violent72/100K
Property1,760/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault72/100K
Burglary108/100K

Health

Obesity39.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.4%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain28.6 in/yr
Elevation903 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+23.4%
High School+87.5%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 29%
Commute16 min
EV Stations1
Libraries3

Is Granite Falls a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Granite Falls receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Granite Falls offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Granite Falls is $59,402, 21% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.0%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 2.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Granite Falls is $139,700, 50% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $818 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Granite Falls is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 72 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,760 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

23.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.5% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Granite Falls has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 28.6 inches, including 51.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Granite Falls has a population of 2,612 with a density of 736 people per square mile. The median age is 41.4 years, 6% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (79.7%), with 11.9% Hispanic, 1.9% Black.

Population

2,612
Total Population
736
People / sq mi
41.4yrs
Median Age
6% above US avg
3.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.3%
Female 48.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Granite Falls vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.0%
25% above US avg
Spanish2.0%
85% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Granite Falls vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Granite Falls is $59,402, which is 21% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes.

Income: Granite Falls vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$59,402
21% below US avg
Per Capita Income$37,972
Avg Weekly Wage$954
IRS Avg AGI$74,153

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.0%
17% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.3%
81% below US avg
Establishments (County)388
County GDP$784M

Business (County)

Restaurants24
Healthcare31
Retail46
Manufacturing17

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,238
7% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.32%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time15.6 min
Work from Home5.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Granite Falls is $139,700, 50% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $818 (30% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $145,554.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$139,700
50% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$145,554

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$818
30% 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-Occupied77.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,238
7% below US avg
Effective Rate2.32%
In Granite Falls, 39.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.4% report depression. 25.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.9%
24% above US avg
Diabetes9.9%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure29.1%
Asthma10.8%
COPD6.0%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.6%
Physical Inactivity25.8%
Depression26.4%
Mental Distress17.9%
Physical Distress12.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.4%
Checkup Rate72.1%
Premature Death8,670/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access45.1%
Healthcare Facilities31
Granite Falls has a violent crime rate of 72 per 100,000 residents, 81% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,760 per 100,000 (10% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent71.8/100K
81% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault71.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,760.1/100K
10% below US avg
Burglary107.8/100K
Theft1,580.5/100K
Vehicle Theft71.8/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Granite Falls has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 28.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

13°F Jan (-10°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average44.7°F
17% below US avg
January Average13°F (-10°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall28.6 inches
25% below US avg
Snowfall51.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation903 ft (275 m)
Area3.6 sq mi (9.2 km²)
Population Density736/sq mi
Coordinates44.8073°N, 95.5423°W
County FIPS27173
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 23.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (31% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 40.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 69.3%
D 28.7%

Winner: Republican by 40.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+23.4%
31% below US avg
High School+87.5%
School Test Score6.08
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density736/sq mi
Total Area3.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities31
Restaurants24
Retail Stores46

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute15.6 min
Work from Home5.0%

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