Howard Lake, MN

Minnesota

Howard Lake is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 1,864. Residents earn $99,464 per year, which is 32% above the national average.

4.3 /5.0
A Great
1,864 Population 1,008/sq mi density
$99,464 Median Income $42,777 per capita
$239,100 Home Value $335,761 Zillow
$930 Median Rent
44°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.3 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$99,464 median income, 0.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$239,100 home value, $930/mo rent
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
22.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $99,464
32% higher than US avg
Home Value $239,100
15% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 22.0%
35% lower than US avg
Median Rent $930
20% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.1%
12% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.5%
86% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.6%
55% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,864
Median Age45.4 yrs
Density1,008/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 97%

Economy

A+
Median Income$99,464
Per Capita$42,777
Unemployment0.5%
Poverty5.6%
County GDP$1,586M
Commute33 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$239,100
Rent$930
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$335,761

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity36.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.9%
Heart Disease4.9%

Climate

Avg Temp44°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain28.7 in/yr
Elevation1,002 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+22.0%
High School+93.4%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 71% / D 28%
Commute33 min
Libraries4

Is Howard Lake a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Howard Lake receives an overall livability score of 4.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Howard 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 Howard Lake is $99,464, which is significantly higher than the national average — 32% above $75,149. This places Howard Lake among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.5%. Only 5.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Howard Lake is $239,100, 15% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $930 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.

Education

22.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.4% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Howard Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F. Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 28.7 inches, including 41.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Howard Lake has a population of 1,864 with a density of 1,008 people per square mile. The median age is 45.4 years, 17% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.7%), with 1.7% Hispanic.

Population

1,864
Total Population
1,008
People / sq mi
45.4yrs
Median Age
17% above US avg
1.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.4%
Female 52.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Howard Lake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.4%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.6%
73% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Howard Lake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Howard Lake is $99,464, which is 32% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 5.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Income: Howard Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$99,464
32% above US avg
Per Capita Income$42,777
Avg Weekly Wage$1,036
IRS Avg AGI$75,478

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.5%
86% below US avg
Poverty Rate5.6%
55% below US avg
Establishments (County)708
County GDP$1,586M

Business (County)

Restaurants34
Healthcare60
Retail68
Manufacturing52

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,973
14% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.66%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time32.6 min
Work from Home18.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Howard Lake is $239,100, 15% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $930 (20% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $335,761.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$239,100
15% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$335,761

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$930
20% 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-Occupied76.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,973
14% above US avg
Effective Rate1.66%
In Howard Lake, 36.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.9% report depression. 21.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.1%
12% above US avg
Diabetes8.6%
Heart Disease4.9%
High Blood Pressure29.1%
Asthma10.4%
COPD5.0%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.7%
Physical Inactivity21.7%
Depression25.9%
Mental Distress16.9%
Physical Distress11.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.1%
Checkup Rate72.9%
Premature Death5,812/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.7/10
Exercise Access40.3%
Healthcare Facilities60

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Howard Lake has an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 28.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

12°F Jan (-11°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average44.1°F
18% below US avg
January Average12°F (-11°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall28.7 inches
25% below US avg
Snowfall41.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,002 ft (305 m)
Area1.9 sq mi (4.8 km²)
Population Density1,008/sq mi
Coordinates45.0540°N, 94.0610°W
County FIPS27093
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 22.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (35% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 42.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 70.7%
D 27.9%

Winner: Republican by 42.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+22.0%
35% below US avg
High School+93.4%
School Test Score6.08
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density1,008/sq mi
Total Area1.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities60
Restaurants34
Retail Stores68

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute32.6 min
Work from Home18.2%

Nearby Cities

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