Houston, MN

Minnesota · Metropolitan Area

Houston is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 883. Residents earn $50,667 per year, which is 33% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
883 Population 718/sq mi density
$50,667 Median Income $28,828 per capita
$152,100 Home Value $342,265 Zillow
$815 Median Rent
46°F Avg Temperature
206 Violent Crime/100K 722 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$50,667 median income, 4.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$152,100 home value, $815/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
206 violent crimes/100K (46% below avg)
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $50,667
33% lower than US avg
Home Value $152,100
46% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 206/100K
46% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.5%
48% lower than US avg
Median Rent $815
30% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 34.9%
9% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.8%
33% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 14.4%
16% higher than US avg

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

People

Population883
Median Age40.2 yrs
Density718/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 95%

Economy

B
Median Income$50,667
Per Capita$28,828
Unemployment4.8%
Poverty14.4%
County GDP$810M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$152,100
Rent$815
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$342,265

Crime

F
Violent206/100K
Property722/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault206/100K
Burglary206/100K

Health

Obesity34.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.4%
Heart Disease5.1%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain38.3 in/yr
Elevation744 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.5%
High School+94.8%
School Score6.21

Community

2024 VoteR 57% / D 41%
Commute26 min
EV Stations1
Libraries5

Is Houston a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Houston receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Houston has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Houston is $50,667, 33% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.8%, indicating a healthy job market. 14.4% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Houston is $152,100, 46% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $815 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Houston is below the national average at 206 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 722 per 100,000, 63% below the national average.

Education

17.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.8% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.2/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Houston experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.3 inches, including 44.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Houston has a population of 883 with a density of 718 people per square mile. The median age is 40.2 years, 3% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.7%), with 1.8% Black.

Population

883
Total Population
718
People / sq mi
40.2yrs
Median Age
3% above US avg
1.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.6%
Female 48.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Houston vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.7%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.3%
90% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Houston vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Houston is $50,667, which is 33% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 14.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Houston vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$50,667
33% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,828
Avg Weekly Wage$913
IRS Avg AGI$74,487

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.8%
33% above US avg
Poverty Rate14.4%
16% above US avg
Establishments (County)471
County GDP$810M

Business (County)

Restaurants29
Healthcare50
Retail52
Manufacturing26

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,147
18% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.73%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.8 min
Work from Home7.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Houston is $152,100, 46% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $815 (30% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $342,265.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$152,100
46% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$342,265
Median List Price$229,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$229,900
$/Sq Ft$200
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio98.6%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory1

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$815
30% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$804
1 Bedroom$889
2 Bedrooms$1,166
3 Bedrooms$1,515
4 Bedrooms$1,903

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied71.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,147
18% above US avg
Effective Rate2.73%
In Houston, 34.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.4% report depression. 24.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity34.9%
9% above US avg
Diabetes8.7%
Heart Disease5.1%
High Blood Pressure26.7%
Asthma10.6%
COPD5.3%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.9%
Physical Inactivity24.5%
Depression25.4%
Mental Distress16.8%
Physical Distress11.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.6%
Checkup Rate71.7%
Premature Death6,148/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.4/10
Exercise Access96.6%
Healthcare Facilities50
Houston has a violent crime rate of 206 per 100,000 residents, 46% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 722 per 100,000 (63% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent206.4/100K
46% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault206.4/100K

Property Crime

Total Property722.4/100K
63% below US avg
Burglary206.4/100K
Theft516.0/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Houston has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

16°F Jan (-9°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average45.5°F
16% below US avg
January Average16°F (-9°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.3 inches
1% above US avg
Snowfall44.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation744 ft (227 m)
Area1.2 sq mi (3.2 km²)
Population Density718/sq mi
Coordinates43.7566°N, 91.5727°W
County FIPS27055
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 17.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (48% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 16.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 57.5%
D 41%

Winner: Republican by 16.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+17.5%
48% below US avg
High School+94.8%
School Test Score6.21
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density718/sq mi
Total Area1.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities50
Restaurants29
Retail Stores52

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.8 min
Work from Home7.4%

Nearby Cities

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