Lake City, MN

Minnesota · Metropolitan Area

Lake City is a small city in Minnesota with a population of 5,021. Residents earn $76,125 per year, which is 1% above the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
5,021 Population 1,118/sq mi density
$76,125 Median Income $42,584 per capita
$234,100 Home Value $311,239 Zillow
$1,022 Median Rent
45°F Avg Temperature
101 Violent Crime/100K 1,411 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.5 / 5.0
$76,125 median income, 0.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$234,100 home value, $1,022/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
101 violent crimes/100K (73% below avg)
B+
Education
3.6 / 5.0
32.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $76,125
1% higher than US avg
Home Value $234,100
17% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 101/100K
73% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 32.0%
5% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,022
12% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.4%
13% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.2%
94% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.4%
73% lower than US avg

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

People

Population5,021
Median Age48.4 yrs
Density1,118/mi²
Male / Female46% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 93%

Economy

A+
Median Income$76,125
Per Capita$42,584
Unemployment0.2%
Poverty3.4%
County GDP$1,094M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$234,100
Rent$1,022
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$311,239

Crime

F
Violent101/100K
Property1,411/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault40/100K
Burglary81/100K

Health

Obesity36.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.3%
Heart Disease4.7%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F
AQI32 (Good)
Rain35.5 in/yr
Elevation712 ft

Education

B+
Bachelor's+32.0%
High School+95.8%
School Score6.03

Community

2024 VoteR 63% / D 35%
Commute22 min
EV Stations2
Libraries3

Is Lake City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Lake City receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Lake City offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lake City is $76,125, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.2%. Only 3.4% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Lake City is $234,100, 17% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,022 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.1x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Lake City is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 101 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,411 per 100,000, 28% below the national average.

Education

32.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 95.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 6/10.

Climate & Weather

Lake City has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 35.5 inches, including 48.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Lake City has a population of 5,021 with a density of 1,118 people per square mile. The median age is 48.4 years, 24% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93.4%).

Population

5,021
Total Population
1,118
People / sq mi
48.4yrs
Median Age
24% above US avg
4.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.5%
Female 54.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Lake City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.4%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.6%
81% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Lake City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lake City is $76,125, which is 1% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Lake City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$76,125
1% above US avg
Per Capita Income$42,584
Avg Weekly Wage$916
IRS Avg AGI$74,149

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.2%
94% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.4%
73% below US avg
Establishments (County)608
County GDP$1,094M

Business (County)

Restaurants58
Healthcare58
Retail70
Manufacturing25

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,056
16% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.73%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.7 min
Work from Home10.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Lake City is $234,100, 17% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,022 (12% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $311,239.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$234,100
17% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$311,239
Median List Price$349,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$349,900
$/Sq Ft$187
Homes Sold5
Sale-to-List Ratio96.3%
Price Drops6.7%
Inventory15

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,022
12% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$880
1 Bedroom$973
2 Bedrooms$1,277
3 Bedrooms$1,531
4 Bedrooms$1,869

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied78.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,056
16% above US avg
Effective Rate1.73%
In Lake City, 36.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.3% report depression. 20.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.4%
13% above US avg
Diabetes8.0%
Heart Disease4.7%
High Blood Pressure25.7%
Asthma10.1%
COPD4.6%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.6%
Physical Inactivity20.7%
Depression24.3%
Mental Distress16.3%
Physical Distress10.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.7%
Checkup Rate72.5%
Premature Death6,282/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.3/10
Exercise Access89.9%
Healthcare Facilities58
Lake City has a violent crime rate of 101 per 100,000 residents, 73% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,411 per 100,000 (28% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent100.8/100K
73% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape40.3/100K
Robbery20.2/100K
Assault40.3/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,411.0/100K
28% below US avg
Burglary80.6/100K
Theft1,290.1/100K
Vehicle Theft40.3/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Lake City has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 35.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Temperature

14°F Jan (-10°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average45.0°F
17% below US avg
January Average14°F (-10°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall35.5 inches
7% below US avg
Snowfall48.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median32.0
RatingGood
Good Days %90.2%
Unhealthy Days1

Geography

Elevation712 ft (217 m)
Area4.5 sq mi (11.6 km²)
Population Density1,118/sq mi
Coordinates44.4457°N, 92.2809°W
County FIPS27157
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 32.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (5% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 28.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 63.2%
D 35%

Winner: Republican by 28.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+32.0%
5% below US avg
High School+95.8%
School Test Score6.03
B+ Education Grade (3.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density1,118/sq mi
Total Area4.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations4
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities58
Restaurants58
Retail Stores70

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.7 min
Work from Home10.8%

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