Lakefield, MN

Minnesota

Lakefield is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 1,652. Residents earn $62,656 per year, which is 17% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
1,652 Population 1,233/sq mi density
$62,656 Median Income $31,865 per capita
$115,900 Home Value $199,622 Zillow
$867 Median Rent
44°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$62,656 median income, 0.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$115,900 home value, $867/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $62,656
17% lower than US avg
Home Value $115,900
59% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.1%
49% lower than US avg
Median Rent $867
25% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.0%
15% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.3%
92% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.7%
86% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,652
Median Age43.9 yrs
Density1,233/mi²
Male / Female46% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 94%

Economy

A
Median Income$62,656
Per Capita$31,865
Unemployment0.3%
Poverty1.7%
County GDP$881M
Commute17 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$115,900
Rent$867
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$199,622

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property833/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary297/100K

Health

Obesity37.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.7%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp44°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain30.5 in/yr
Elevation1,481 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.1%
High School+90.9%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 70% / D 28%
Commute17 min
Libraries3

Is Lakefield a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Lakefield 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. Lakefield offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lakefield is $62,656, 17% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.3%. Only 1.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Lakefield is $115,900, 59% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $867 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.

Safety & Crime

Lakefield is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 833 per 100,000, 58% below the national average.

Education

17.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.9% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Lakefield has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F. Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 30.5 inches, including 48.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Lakefield has a population of 1,652 with a density of 1,233 people per square mile. The median age is 43.9 years, 13% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.4%).

Population

1,652
Total Population
1,233
People / sq mi
43.9yrs
Median Age
13% above US avg
1.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.5%
Female 54.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Lakefield vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.5%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.5%
66% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Lakefield vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lakefield is $62,656, which is 17% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Lakefield vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$62,656
17% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,865
Avg Weekly Wage$998
IRS Avg AGI$72,550

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.3%
92% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.7%
86% below US avg
Establishments (County)366
County GDP$881M

Business (County)

Restaurants22
Healthcare27
Retail40
Manufacturing13

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,615
25% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.26%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time16.9 min
Work from Home10.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Lakefield is $115,900, 59% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $867 (25% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $199,622.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$115,900
59% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$199,622

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$867
25% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied87.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,615
25% below US avg
Effective Rate2.26%
In Lakefield, 37.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.7% report depression. 24.5% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Lakefield vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.0%
15% above US avg
Diabetes9.1%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure28.8%
Asthma10.5%
COPD5.7%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.1%
Physical Inactivity24.5%
Depression25.7%
Mental Distress17.6%
Physical Distress12.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.7%
Checkup Rate71.5%
Premature Death7,473/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.9/10
Exercise Access61.7%
Healthcare Facilities27
Lakefield has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 833 per 100,000 (58% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property832.8/100K
58% below US avg
Burglary297.4/100K
Theft535.4/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
Lakefield has an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 30.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

13°F Jan (-10°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average44.0°F
19% below US avg
January Average13°F (-10°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall30.5 inches
20% below US avg
Snowfall48.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,481 ft (451 m)
Area1.3 sq mi (3.5 km²)
Population Density1,233/sq mi
Coordinates43.6780°N, 95.1695°W
County FIPS27063
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 17.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (49% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 42.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 70.2%
D 28.1%

Winner: Republican by 42.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+17.1%
49% below US avg
High School+90.9%
School Test Score6.08
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density1,233/sq mi
Total Area1.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities27
Restaurants22
Retail Stores40

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute16.9 min
Work from Home10.4%

Nearby Cities

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