Karlstad, MN

Minnesota

Karlstad is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 622. Residents earn $61,324 per year, which is 18% below the national average.

4.4 /5.0
A Great
622 Population 415/sq mi density
$61,324 Median Income $32,006 per capita
$120,300 Home Value $167,638 Zillow
$650 Median Rent 20.0% income on rent
39°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.4 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$61,324 median income, 0.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$120,300 home value, $650/mo rent
B+
Education
3.9 / 5.0
36.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $61,324
18% lower than US avg
Home Value $120,300
57% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 36.7%
9% higher than US avg
Median Rent $650
44% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.0%
9% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.4%
89% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.7%
78% lower than US avg

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

People

Population622
Median Age49.7 yrs
Density415/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 98%
Veterans5.9%

Economy

A
Median Income$61,324
Per Capita$32,006
Unemployment0.4%
Poverty2.7%
County GDP$439M
Commute25 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$120,300
Rent$650
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$167,638
Rent Burden20.0%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity35.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.5%
Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp39°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain22.3 in/yr
Elevation1,047 ft

Education

B+
Bachelor's+36.7%
High School+98.7%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 23%
Commute25 min
Broadband83.3%
Libraries1

Is Karlstad a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Karlstad is $61,324, 18% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.4%. Only 2.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Karlstad is $120,300, 57% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $650 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 36.7% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 98.7% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Karlstad has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 39°F. Winters average 5°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 22.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Karlstad has a population of 622 with a density of 415 people per square mile. The median age is 49.7 years, 28% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (97.7%), with 1.1% Hispanic.

Population

622
Total Population
415
People / sq mi
49.7yrs
Median Age
28% above US avg
1.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.6%
Female 53.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Karlstad vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.8%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.2%
99% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Karlstad vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Karlstad is $61,324, which is 18% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Karlstad vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$61,324
18% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,006
Avg Weekly Wage$1,089
IRS Avg AGI$78,876

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.4%
89% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.7%
78% below US avg
Establishments (County)348
County GDP$439M

Business (County)

Restaurants22
Healthcare18
Retail29
Manufacturing15

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,310
5% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.75%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.2 min
Drive Alone65.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Karlstad is $120,300, 57% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $650 (44% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $167,638.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$120,300
57% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$167,638

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$650
44% below US avg
Rent Burden20.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied69.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,310
5% below US avg
Effective Rate2.75%
In Karlstad, 35.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.5% report depression. 24.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.0%
9% above US avg
Diabetes9.0%
Heart Disease5.3%
High Blood Pressure28.5%
Asthma10.6%
COPD5.5%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.4%
Physical Inactivity24.1%
Depression26.5%
Mental Distress17.7%
Physical Distress11.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.2%
Checkup Rate72.2%
Premature Death5,947/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.8/10
Exercise Access33.6%
Healthcare Facilities18

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Karlstad has an average annual temperature of 39°F (4°C). Winters average 5°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation is 22.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

5°F Jan (-15°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average39.1°F
28% below US avg
January Average5°F (-15°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall22.3 inches
41% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,047 ft (319 m)
Area1.5 sq mi (3.9 km²)
Population Density415/sq mi
Coordinates48.5780°N, 96.5161°W
County FIPS27089
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 36.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (9% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 51.7-point margin. 83.3% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 75.1%
D 23.4%

Winner: Republican by 51.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+36.7%
9% above US avg
High School+98.7%
School Test Score6.08
B+ Education Grade (3.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density415/sq mi
Total Area1.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access83.3%
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities18
Restaurants22
Retail Stores29

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.2 min
Drive Alone65.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.6%

Nearby Cities

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