Knife River, MN

Full City Profile · Minnesota · Douglas County County

4.1 /5.0
A Great
98 Population 146/sq mi density
$76,106 Median Income $35,323 per capita
41°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Strong
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$76,106 median income, unemployment
A
Education
4.1 / 5.0
38.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Knife River has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 31.7 inches. The area receives 61.0 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

16°F Jan (-9°C) 65°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average41.3°F
24% below US avg
January Average16°F (-9°C)
July Average65°F (18°C)

Geography

Elevation628 ft (191 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²)
Population Density146/sq mi
Coordinates46.9489°N, 91.7842°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyDouglas County County
Nearest AirportDuluth International (DLH)
21 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 31.7"
17% below US avg
Snowfall 61.0"
Wettest Month (Jun) 4.23"
Driest Month (Jan) 1.04"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score62.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability25.6 / 100
Community Resilience44.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Relatively Low
Heat Wave Relatively Low
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm Very Low
Drought Very Low
Cold Wave Relatively High
Landslide Very Low
Coastal Flood Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Tornado History

52 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF3. Total: 2 fatalities, 30 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Aug 6, 1969 EF3 30 km 2
Aug 6, 1969 EF3 91 km 0
Jul 1, 2011 EF2 71 km 0
Sep 3, 1980 EF2 42 km 0
Jul 7, 1970 EF2 98 km 0
Aug 6, 1969 EF2 95 km 0
Aug 6, 1969 EF2 98 km 0
Jun 30, 1968 EF2 78 km 0
Sep 19, 2024 EF1 55 km 0
Jul 11, 2022 EF1 81 km 0
Aug 14, 2020 EF1 100 km 0
Jul 18, 2020 EF1 39 km 0
Jul 18, 2020 EF1 87 km 0
Jul 18, 2019 EF1 73 km 0
Jun 19, 2016 EF1 80 km 0
Jun 27, 1994 EF1 89 km 0
Jun 27, 1994 EF1 83 km 0
Aug 9, 1992 EF1 93 km 0
Aug 13, 1988 EF1 78 km 0
Sep 5, 1987 EF1 48 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: GREENWOOD (28,255 ac, 2021).

Year Name Acres Distance
2021 GREENWOOD 28,255 73 km
2013 GERMANN ROAD FIRE 6,751 70 km
1992 UNNAMED 4,053 97 km
2019 NW SANDS UNITS I/F/C/A 3,386 53 km
2016 UNNAMED 2,682 52 km
2013 UNNAMED 2,240 52 km
2014 UNNAMED 2,116 56 km
2015 UNNAMED 1,407 55 km
2015 UNNAMED 1,361 52 km
2021 NW SANDS - BLOCK E RX 1,361 55 km
2007 PIONEER FIRE 1,072 91 km
2018 UNNAMED 961 54 km
1998 UNNAMED 958 70 km
2024 NW SANDS BLOCK J RX 911 50 km
2024 NW SANDS BLOCK B RX 844 54 km
2018 NW SANDS BLOCK C 771 56 km
2016 SKIBO 763 64 km
2022 BRINKS 8C - SOUTH RX 725 58 km
2007 WOODBURY 673 92 km
1988 UNNAMED 621 59 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 16°F (-9°C) 1.0 in Coldest, Driest
February 19°F (-7°C) 1.2 in
March 29°F (-2°C) 1.5 in
April 39°F (4°C) 2.7 in
May 48°F (9°C) 3.3 in
June 56°F (14°C) 4.2 in Wettest
July 65°F (18°C) 4.1 in
August 65°F (19°C) 3.5 in Warmest
September 58°F (14°C) 3.5 in
October 46°F (8°C) 3.0 in
November 33°F (1°C) 2.2 in
December 21°F (-6°C) 1.6 in

Knife River has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 16°F in January to 65°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 31.7 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.2") and January the driest (1.0").

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