Hill City, MN

Minnesota

Hill City is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 543. Residents earn $39,583 per year, which is 47% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
543 Population 489/sq mi density
$39,583 Median Income $21,648 per capita
$102,900 Home Value $179,426 Zillow
$878 Median Rent 38.1% income on rent
41°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
D
Economy
1.9 / 5.0
$39,583 median income, 9.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$102,900 home value, $878/mo rent
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
15.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $39,583
47% lower than US avg
Home Value $102,900
63% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.5%
54% lower than US avg
Median Rent $878
25% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 34.1%
6% higher than US avg
Unemployment 9.2%
156% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 21.8%
76% higher than US avg

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

People

Population543
Median Age38.4 yrs
Density489/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 96%
Veterans16.3%

Economy

D
Median Income$39,583
Per Capita$21,648
Unemployment9.2%
Poverty21.8%
County GDP$674M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$102,900
Rent$878
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$179,426
Rent Burden38.1%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity34.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.6%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp41°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain31.9 in/yr
Elevation1,275 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.5%
High School+93.1%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 65% / D 34%
Commute26 min
Broadband82.4%
Libraries2

Is Hill City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Hill City receives an overall livability score of 3.0 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, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Hill City offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Hill City is $39,583, 47% below the national average of $75,149. At 9.2%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 21.8% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Hill City is $102,900, 63% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $878 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

15.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.1% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Hill City has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F. Winters average 10°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 31.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Hill City has a population of 543 with a density of 489 people per square mile. The median age is 38.4 years, 1% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.6%), with 2.9% Hispanic, 1.1% Black.

Population

543
Total Population
489
People / sq mi
38.4yrs
Median Age
1% below US avg
1.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.6%
Female 49.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Hill City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.6%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.4%
97% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Hill City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Hill City is $39,583, which is 47% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 9.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 21.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Hill City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$39,583
47% below US avg
Per Capita Income$21,648
Avg Weekly Wage$917
IRS Avg AGI$67,457

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment9.2%
156% above US avg
Poverty Rate21.8%
76% above US avg
Establishments (County)476
County GDP$674M

Business (County)

Restaurants55
Healthcare39
Retail65
Manufacturing21

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,500
0% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.40%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.4 min
Drive Alone92.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home2.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Hill City is $102,900, 63% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $878 (25% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $179,426.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$102,900
63% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$179,426

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$878
25% below US avg
Rent Burden38.1%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied65.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,500
0% below US avg
Effective Rate3.40%
In Hill City, 34.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 28.6% report depression. 26.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Hill City vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity34.1%
6% above US avg
Diabetes9.8%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure29.4%
Asthma11.3%
COPD6.7%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.2%
Physical Inactivity26.3%
Depression28.6%
Mental Distress19.1%
Physical Distress13.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.1%
Checkup Rate72.1%
Premature Death8,648/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.5/10
Exercise Access48.6%
Healthcare Facilities39

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Hill City has an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 10°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation is 31.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

10°F Jan (-13°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average40.6°F
25% below US avg
January Average10°F (-13°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall31.9 inches
16% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,275 ft (389 m)
Area1.1 sq mi (2.9 km²)
Population Density489/sq mi
Coordinates46.9852°N, 93.5950°W
County FIPS27001
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 15.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (54% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 30.9-point margin. 82.4% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 64.7%
D 33.8%

Winner: Republican by 30.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.5%
54% below US avg
High School+93.1%
School Test Score6.08
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density489/sq mi
Total Area1.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access82.4%
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities39
Restaurants55
Retail Stores65

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.4 min
Drive Alone92.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home2.6%

Nearby Cities

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