Lester Prairie, MN

Minnesota

Lester Prairie is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 1,848. Residents earn $87,188 per year, which is 16% above the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
1,848 Population 1,848/sq mi density
$87,188 Median Income $38,575 per capita
$217,000 Home Value $313,014 Zillow
$735 Median Rent
45°F Avg Temperature
119 Violent Crime/100K 1,785 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.7 / 5.0
$87,188 median income, 0.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$217,000 home value, $735/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
119 violent crimes/100K (69% below avg)
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
15.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $87,188
16% higher than US avg
Home Value $217,000
23% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 119/100K
69% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.8%
53% lower than US avg
Median Rent $735
37% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.1%
31% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.2%
94% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.7%
54% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,848
Median Age36.1 yrs
Density1,848/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 87%

Economy

A+
Median Income$87,188
Per Capita$38,575
Unemployment0.2%
Poverty5.7%
County GDP$2,397M
Commute31 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$217,000
Rent$735
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$313,014

Crime

F
Violent119/100K
Property1,785/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault59/100K
Burglary59/100K

Health

Obesity42.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.6%
Heart Disease5.0%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain29.8 in/yr
Elevation978 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.8%
High School+90.9%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 68% / D 30%
Commute31 min
Libraries4

Is Lester Prairie a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Lester Prairie receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Lester Prairie offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lester Prairie is $87,188, 16% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.2%. Only 5.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Lester Prairie is $217,000, 23% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $735 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Lester Prairie is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 119 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,785 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

15.8% 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

Lester Prairie has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 29.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Lester Prairie has a population of 1,848 with a density of 1,848 people per square mile. The median age is 36.1 years, 7% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (86.6%).

Population

1,848
Total Population
1,848
People / sq mi
36.1yrs
Median Age
7% below US avg
1.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48%
Female 52%

Race & Ethnicity

Lester Prairie vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only89.5%
14% above US avg
Spanish10.5%
22% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Lester Prairie vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lester Prairie is $87,188, which is 16% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 5.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Income: Lester Prairie vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$87,188
16% above US avg
Per Capita Income$38,575
Avg Weekly Wage$1,096
IRS Avg AGI$72,945

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.2%
94% below US avg
Poverty Rate5.7%
54% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,049
County GDP$2,397M

Business (County)

Restaurants68
Healthcare124
Retail133
Manufacturing69

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,970
13% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.83%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time31.2 min
Work from Home10.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Lester Prairie is $217,000, 23% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $735 (37% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $313,014.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$217,000
23% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$313,014

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$735
37% 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-Occupied85.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,970
13% above US avg
Effective Rate1.83%
In Lester Prairie, 42.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.6% report depression. 24.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Lester Prairie vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.1%
31% above US avg
Diabetes9.2%
Heart Disease5.0%
High Blood Pressure27.9%
Asthma10.0%
COPD5.1%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.0%
Physical Inactivity24.4%
Depression24.6%
Mental Distress16.8%
Physical Distress11.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.0%
Checkup Rate70.9%
Premature Death5,843/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.2/10
Exercise Access74.3%
Healthcare Facilities124
Lester Prairie has a violent crime rate of 119 per 100,000 residents, 69% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,785 per 100,000 (9% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent119.0/100K
69% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape59.5/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault59.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,784.7/100K
9% below US avg
Burglary59.5/100K
Theft1,606.2/100K
Vehicle Theft119.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Lester Prairie has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 29.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

13°F Jan (-10°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average45.2°F
16% below US avg
January Average13°F (-10°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall29.8 inches
22% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation978 ft (298 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²)
Population Density1,848/sq mi
Coordinates44.8833°N, 94.0370°W
County FIPS27085
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 15.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (53% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 38-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 68.1%
D 30.2%

Winner: Republican by 38 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.8%
53% below US avg
High School+90.9%
School Test Score6.08
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density1,848/sq mi
Total Area1.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities124
Restaurants68
Retail Stores133

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute31.2 min
Work from Home10.8%

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