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Knife River, MN

Minnesota · Metropolitan Area

Knife River is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 98. Residents earn $76,106 per year, which is 1% above the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
98 Population 146/sq mi density
$76,106 Median Income $35,323 per capita
$650,000 Home Value $378,146 Zillow
41°F Avg Temperature 249 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$76,106 median income, 4.1% unemployment
D
Affordability
1.8 / 5.0
$650,000 home value
A
Education
4.1 / 5.0
38.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $76,106
1% higher than US avg
Home Value $650,000
131% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 38.8%
15% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.2%
3% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.1%
14% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.2%
10% lower than US avg

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

People

Population98
Median Age87.8 yrs
Density146/mi²
Male / Female55% / 45%
Largest GroupWhite 100%
Veterans98.0%

Economy

B+
Median Income$76,106
Per Capita$35,323
Unemployment4.1%
Poverty11.2%
County GDP$2,402M

Housing

D
Home Value$650,000
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$378,146
Housing Units133
Rent Burden27.3%

Health

Obesity33.2%
Uninsured6.7%
Smoking13.8%
Depression25.0%
Heart Disease4.8%

Climate

Avg Temp41°F (5°C)
AQI36 (Good)
Rain33.4 in/yr
Sunny Days249/yr
Elevation628 ft (191 m)

Education

A
Bachelor's+38.8%
High School+100.0%
Graduate+26.3%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 47% / D 52%
CommuteN/A
Broadband61.0%
Libraries3

Is Knife River a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Knife River receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include a highly educated population, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Knife River offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Knife River is $76,106, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.1%, indicating a healthy job market. 11.2% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Knife River is $650,000, making it a premium housing market at 131% above the U.S. median of $281,900. With a home price-to-income ratio of 8.5x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 38.8% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 100.0% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Knife River has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F. Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. The area gets 249 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 33.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Knife River has a population of 98 with a density of 146 people per square mile. The median age is 87.8 years, 126% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (100%).

Population

98
Total Population
146
People / sq mi
87.8yrs
Median Age
126% above US avg
0.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 55.1%
Female 44.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Knife River vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Knife River vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Knife River is $76,106, which is 1% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 11.2% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income: Knife River vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$76,106
1% above US avg
Per Capita Income$35,323
Avg Weekly Wage$1,016
IRS Avg AGI$67,532

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.1%
14% above US avg
Poverty Rate11.2%
10% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,215
County GDP$2,402M

Business (County)

Restaurants156
Healthcare119
Retail151
Manufacturing54

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,924
41% above US avg
Cost of Living98.60 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate0.76%

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

The median home value in Knife River is $650,000, 131% above the national average. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $378,146.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$650,000
131% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$378,146

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Rent Burden27.3%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied100.0%
Housing Units133
Median Year Built1989

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,924
41% above US avg
Effective Rate0.76%
In Knife River, 33.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 6.7% of residents lack health insurance. 13.8% are current smokers. 25.0% report depression. 20.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.2%
3% above US avg
Diabetes7.6%
Heart Disease4.8%
High Blood Pressure24.8%
Asthma9.9%
COPD4.6%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking13.8%
1% below US avg
Binge Drinking22.0%
Physical Inactivity20.5%
Depression25.0%
Mental Distress16.5%
Physical Distress10.5%
Short Sleep28.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate100.0%
Uninsured6.7%
22% below US avg
Checkup Rate70.5%
Dental Visits65.0%
Premature Death8,763/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.9/10
Exercise Access81.0%
Healthcare Facilities119
Knife River has an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation is 33.4 inches. The area enjoys 249 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

11°F Jan (-12°C) 67°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average40.6°F
25% below US avg
January Average11°F (-12°C)
July Average67°F (19°C)
Sunny Days249 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall33.4 inches
12% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation628 ft (191 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.7 km²)
Population Density146/sq mi
Coordinates46.9489°N, 91.7842°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS55031
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 38.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (15% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 5.3-point margin. 61.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 46.6%
D 52%

Winner: Democrat by 5.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+38.8%
15% above US avg
High School+100.0%
Graduate Degree+26.3%
School Test Score6.08
A Education Grade (4.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density146/sq mi
Total Area0.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access61.0%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities119
Restaurants156
Retail Stores151

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Commute & Transportation

Nearby Cities

Two Harbors, MN 3,598 pop · 7.6 mi Duluth, MN 86,863 pop · 20.5 mi Hermantown, MN 10,192 pop · 23.8 mi Proctor, MN 3,102 pop · 25.4 mi Esko, MN 2,063 pop · 32.3 mi Silver Bay, MN 1,790 pop · 33.7 mi Scanlon, MN 1,087 pop · 34.8 mi Cloquet, MN 12,582 pop · 37.3 mi Big Lake, MN 12,115 pop · 43.1 mi Aurora, MN 1,897 pop · 45.6 mi Hoyt Lakes, MN 2,074 pop · 45.6 mi Washburn, WI 1,858 pop · 45.8 mi Babbitt, MN 1,420 pop · 48.4 mi Gilbert, MN 1,693 pop · 49.0 mi
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