Melrose, MN

Minnesota · Metropolitan Area

Melrose is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 3,608. Residents earn $58,107 per year, which is 23% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
3,608 Population 1,138/sq mi density
$58,107 Median Income $33,750 per capita
$198,300 Home Value $231,400 Zillow
$1,061 Median Rent
42°F Avg Temperature
83 Violent Crime/100K 1,002 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$58,107 median income, 2.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$198,300 home value, $1,061/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
83 violent crimes/100K (78% below avg)
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $58,107
23% lower than US avg
Home Value $198,300
30% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 83/100K
78% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.8%
47% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,061
9% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.2%
19% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.1%
42% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.3%
25% lower than US avg

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

People

Population3,608
Median Age43.4 yrs
Density1,138/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 84%

Economy

B+
Median Income$58,107
Per Capita$33,750
Unemployment2.1%
Poverty9.3%
County GDP$12,618M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$198,300
Rent$1,061
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$231,400

Crime

F
Violent83/100K
Property1,002/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault56/100K
Burglary167/100K

Health

Obesity38.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.2%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp42°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain29.1 in/yr
Elevation1,202 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.8%
High School+91.8%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 62% / D 36%
Commute20 min
Libraries10

Is Melrose a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Melrose receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Melrose offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Melrose is $58,107, 23% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.1%. 9.3% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Melrose is $198,300, 30% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,061 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 3.4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Melrose is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 83 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,002 per 100,000, 49% below the national average.

Education

17.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.8% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Melrose has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F. Winters average 10°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 29.1 inches, including 39.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Melrose has a population of 3,608 with a density of 1,138 people per square mile. The median age is 43.4 years, 12% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (84%), with 2% Hispanic.

Population

3,608
Total Population
1,138
People / sq mi
43.4yrs
Median Age
12% above US avg
3.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.3%
Female 51.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Melrose vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only80.2%
2% above US avg
Spanish19.8%
48% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Melrose vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Melrose is $58,107, which is 23% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 9.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Melrose vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$58,107
23% below US avg
Per Capita Income$33,750
Avg Weekly Wage$1,198
IRS Avg AGI$79,564

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.1%
42% below US avg
Poverty Rate9.3%
25% below US avg
Establishments (County)4,733
County GDP$12,618M

Business (County)

Restaurants391
Healthcare529
Retail642
Manufacturing231

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,101
46% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.57%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.5 min
Work from Home9.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Melrose is $198,300, 30% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,061 (9% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $231,400.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$198,300
30% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$231,400
Median List Price$158,750

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$158,750
$/Sq Ft$147
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio100.1%
Price Drops16.7%
Inventory6

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,061
9% 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-Occupied71.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,101
46% above US avg
Effective Rate2.57%
In Melrose, 38.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.2% report depression. 26.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.2%
19% above US avg
Diabetes9.8%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure27.9%
Asthma9.7%
COPD5.3%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.4%
Physical Inactivity26.0%
Depression24.2%
Mental Distress16.6%
Physical Distress12.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.4%
Checkup Rate72.0%
Premature Death6,211/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access77.6%
Healthcare Facilities529
Melrose has a violent crime rate of 83 per 100,000 residents, 78% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,002 per 100,000 (49% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent83.5/100K
78% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape27.8/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault55.7/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,001.7/100K
49% below US avg
Burglary166.9/100K
Theft806.9/100K
Vehicle Theft27.8/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Melrose has an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 10°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation is 29.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

10°F Jan (-12°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average42.0°F
22% below US avg
January Average10°F (-12°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall29.1 inches
23% below US avg
Snowfall39.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,202 ft (366 m)
Area3.2 sq mi (8.2 km²)
Population Density1,138/sq mi
Coordinates45.6770°N, 94.8148°W
County FIPS27145
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 17.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (47% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 26.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 62.5%
D 35.7%

Winner: Republican by 26.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+17.8%
47% below US avg
High School+91.8%
School Test Score6.08
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density1,138/sq mi
Total Area3.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations4
Public Libraries10
Healthcare Facilities529
Restaurants391
Retail Stores642

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.5 min
Work from Home9.8%

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