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Lake Benton, MN

Minnesota

Lake Benton is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 698. Residents earn $52,000 per year, which is 31% below the national average.

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
698 Population 217/sq mi density
$52,000 Median Income $31,527 per capita
$91,900 Home Value $198,256 Zillow
$550 Median Rent 35.9% income on rent
44°F Avg Temperature 276 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$52,000 median income, 2.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$91,900 home value, $550/mo rent
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $52,000
31% lower than US avg
Home Value $91,900
67% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.7%
36% lower than US avg
Median Rent $550
53% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.8%
15% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.1%
42% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.7%
70% lower than US avg

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

People

Population698
Median Age45.1 yrs
Density217/mi²
Male / Female41% / 59%
Largest GroupWhite 93%
Veterans11.3%

Economy

A
Median Income$52,000
Per Capita$31,527
Unemployment2.1%
Poverty3.7%
County GDP$588M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$91,900
Rent$550
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$198,256
Housing Units387
Rent Burden35.9%

Health

Obesity36.8%
Uninsured8.0%
Smoking15.6%
Depression26.0%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp44°F (7°C)
AQI36 (Good)
Rain28.6 in/yr
Sunny Days276/yr
Elevation1,770 ft (539 m)

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.7%
High School+94.7%
Graduate+3.9%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 68% / D 30%
Commute26 min
Broadband91.1%
EV Stations1
Libraries4

Is Lake Benton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Lake Benton 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. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Lake Benton offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lake Benton is $52,000, 31% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.1%. Only 3.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Lake Benton is $91,900, 67% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $550 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

21.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.7% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Lake Benton has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F. Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. With 276 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 28.6 inches, including 39.6 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Lake Benton has a population of 698 with a density of 217 people per square mile. The median age is 45.1 years, 16% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.7%), with 1.4% Hispanic.

Population

698
Total Population
217
People / sq mi
45.1yrs
Median Age
16% above US avg
3.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 40.7%
Female 59.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Lake Benton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.6%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.4%
82% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Lake Benton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lake Benton is $52,000, which is 31% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Lake Benton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$52,000
31% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,527
Avg Weekly Wage$872
IRS Avg AGI$72,484

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.1%
42% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.7%
70% below US avg
Establishments (County)226
County GDP$588M

Business (County)

Restaurants10
Healthcare21
Retail30
Manufacturing6

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,614
25% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.84%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.3 min
Drive Alone76.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home11.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Lake Benton is $91,900, 67% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $550 (53% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $198,256.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$91,900
67% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$198,256

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$550
53% below US avg
Rent Burden35.9%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied77.4%
Housing Units387
Median Year Built1965

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,614
25% below US avg
Effective Rate2.84%
In Lake Benton, 36.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 8.0% of residents lack health insurance. 15.6% are current smokers. 26.0% report depression. 23.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.8%
15% above US avg
Diabetes8.8%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure27.9%
Asthma10.4%
COPD5.5%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking15.6%
11% above US avg
Binge Drinking20.3%
Physical Inactivity23.6%
Depression26.0%
Mental Distress17.3%
Physical Distress11.8%
Short Sleep30.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.5%
Uninsured8.0%
7% below US avg
Checkup Rate72.9%
Dental Visits65.5%
Premature Death6,358/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.1/10
Exercise Access25.4%
Healthcare Facilities21
Lake Benton has an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 28.6 inches. The area enjoys 276 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

14°F Jan (-10°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average44.4°F
18% below US avg
January Average14°F (-10°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days276 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall28.6 inches
25% below US avg
Snowfall39.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,770 ft (539 m)
Area3.2 sq mi (8.3 km²)
Population Density217/sq mi
Coordinates44.2622°N, 96.2993°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS27081
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 21.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (36% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 37.8-point margin. 91.1% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 67.9%
D 30.1%

Winner: Republican by 37.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.7%
36% below US avg
High School+94.7%
Graduate Degree+3.9%
School Test Score6.08
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density217/sq mi
Total Area3.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access91.1%
EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities21
Restaurants10
Retail Stores30

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.3 min
Drive Alone76.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home11.8%

Nearby Cities

Tyler, MN 1,019 pop · 8.1 mi Pipestone, MN 4,165 pop · 18.4 mi Aurora, SD 1,407 pop · 19.0 mi Flandreau, SD 2,291 pop · 21.2 mi Brookings, SD 23,710 pop · 24.3 mi Minneota, MN 1,531 pop · 26.0 mi Edgerton, MN 1,207 pop · 28.0 mi Marshall, MN 13,880 pop · 28.3 mi Volga, SD 2,246 pop · 31.1 mi Canby, MN 1,563 pop · 31.4 mi Colman, SD 1,011 pop · 32.0 mi Slayton, MN 2,089 pop · 32.8 mi Tracy, MN 1,869 pop · 33.6 mi Dell Rapids, SD 3,947 pop · 36.6 mi
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