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Kettle River, MN

Minnesota · Metropolitan Area

Kettle River is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 133. Residents earn $63,125 per year, which is 16% below the national average.

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
133 Population 341/sq mi density
$63,125 Median Income $35,511 per capita
$129,200 Home Value $229,669 Zillow
$767 Median Rent 27.9% income on rent
41°F Avg Temperature 249 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$63,125 median income, 1.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$129,200 home value, $767/mo rent
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
20.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $63,125
16% lower than US avg
Home Value $129,200
54% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 20.2%
40% lower than US avg
Median Rent $767
34% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.5%
17% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.7%
53% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.5%
39% lower than US avg

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

People

Population133
Median Age56.5 yrs
Density341/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 87%
Veterans97.0%

Economy

A
Median Income$63,125
Per Capita$35,511
Unemployment1.7%
Poverty7.5%
County GDP$1,907M
Commute34 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$129,200
Rent$767
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$229,669
Housing Units58
Rent Burden27.9%

Health

Obesity37.5%
Uninsured7.8%
Smoking15.8%
Depression28.7%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp41°F (5°C)
AQI36 (Good)
Rain31.5 in/yr
Sunny Days249/yr
Elevation1,178 ft (359 m)

Education

C+
Bachelor's+20.2%
High School+87.5%
Graduate+2.3%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 50% / D 48%
Commute34 min
Broadband61.0%
Libraries3

Is Kettle River a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Kettle River receives an overall livability score of 3.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Kettle River offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Kettle River is $63,125, 16% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.7%. Only 7.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 34 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Kettle River is $129,200, 54% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $767 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

20.2% 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

Kettle River has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F. Winters average 10°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. The area gets 249 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 31.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Kettle River has a population of 133 with a density of 341 people per square mile. The median age is 56.5 years, 45% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (87.2%), with 4.5% Hispanic.

Population

133
Total Population
341
People / sq mi
56.5yrs
Median Age
45% above US avg
0.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.6%
Female 50.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Kettle River vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Kettle River vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Kettle River is $63,125, which is 16% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 7.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 34 minutes.

Income: Kettle River vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$63,125
16% below US avg
Per Capita Income$35,511
Avg Weekly Wage$1,117
IRS Avg AGI$67,169

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.7%
53% below US avg
Poverty Rate7.5%
39% below US avg
Establishments (County)816
County GDP$1,907M

Business (County)

Restaurants54
Healthcare102
Retail99
Manufacturing27

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,404
26% above US avg
Cost of Living98.60 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate3.41%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time33.6 min
Drive Alone83.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home6.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Kettle River is $129,200, 54% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $767 (34% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $229,669.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$129,200
54% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$229,669

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$767
34% below US avg
Rent Burden27.9%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied88.5%
Housing Units58
Median Year Built1967

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,404
26% above US avg
Effective Rate3.41%
In Kettle River, 37.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.8% of residents lack health insurance. 15.8% are current smokers. 28.7% report depression. 24.2% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Kettle River vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.5%
17% above US avg
Diabetes9.3%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure27.9%
Asthma11.0%
COPD5.4%
Cancer7.3%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking15.8%
13% above US avg
Binge Drinking21.7%
Physical Inactivity24.2%
Depression28.7%
Mental Distress17.5%
Physical Distress11.8%
Short Sleep35.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.0%
Uninsured7.8%
9% below US avg
Checkup Rate70.4%
Dental Visits65.9%
Premature Death7,923/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access62.7%
Healthcare Facilities102
Kettle River has an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 10°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation is 31.5 inches. The area enjoys 249 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

10°F Jan (-12°C) 69°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average41.4°F
23% below US avg
January Average10°F (-12°C)
July Average69°F (20°C)
Sunny Days249 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall31.5 inches
17% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,178 ft (359 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²)
Population Density341/sq mi
Coordinates46.4862°N, 92.8776°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS27017
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 20.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (40% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 2.6-point margin. 61.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 50.3%
D 47.7%

Winner: Republican by 2.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+20.2%
40% below US avg
High School+87.5%
Graduate Degree+2.3%
School Test Score6.08
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density341/sq mi
Total Area0.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access61.0%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities102
Restaurants54
Retail Stores99

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute33.6 min
Drive Alone83.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home6.5%

Nearby Cities

Moose Lake, MN 3,297 pop · 6.1 mi Big Lake, MN 12,115 pop · 19.2 mi Cloquet, MN 12,582 pop · 24.3 mi Sandstone, MN 2,538 pop · 24.7 mi Scanlon, MN 1,087 pop · 26.2 mi Esko, MN 2,063 pop · 28.6 mi Hinckley, MN 1,665 pop · 32.7 mi Proctor, MN 3,102 pop · 35.5 mi Hermantown, MN 10,192 pop · 37.3 mi Aitkin, MN 2,217 pop · 39.4 mi Duluth, MN 86,863 pop · 40.5 mi Pine City, MN 3,339 pop · 44.8 mi Mora, MN 3,708 pop · 46.5 mi Grantsburg, WI 1,359 pop · 49.5 mi
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