Mountain Lake, MN

Minnesota

Mountain Lake is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 1,833. Residents earn $59,115 per year, which is 21% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
1,833 Population 1,125/sq mi density
$59,115 Median Income $27,279 per capita
$118,900 Home Value $157,340 Zillow
$833 Median Rent
45°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$59,115 median income, 3.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$118,900 home value, $833/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
21.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $59,115
21% lower than US avg
Home Value $118,900
58% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.9%
35% lower than US avg
Median Rent $833
28% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.2%
19% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.0%
17% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 14.5%
17% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,833
Median Age33.8 yrs
Density1,125/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 66%

Economy

B+
Median Income$59,115
Per Capita$27,279
Unemployment3.0%
Poverty14.5%
County GDP$611M
Commute13 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$118,900
Rent$833
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$157,340

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property702/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary47/100K

Health

Obesity38.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.0%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain33.1 in/yr
Elevation1,299 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.9%
High School+89.6%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 63% / D 35%
Commute13 min
Libraries5

Is Mountain Lake a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Mountain Lake is $59,115, 21% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.0%, indicating a healthy job market. 14.5% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 13 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Mountain Lake is $118,900, 58% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $833 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Mountain Lake 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 702 per 100,000, 64% below the national average.

Education

21.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.6% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Mountain Lake 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 33.1 inches, including 50.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Mountain Lake has a population of 1,833 with a density of 1,125 people per square mile. The median age is 33.8 years, 13% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (66.2%), with 2% Hispanic.

Population

1,833
Total Population
1,125
People / sq mi
33.8yrs
Median Age
13% below US avg
1.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.2%
Female 48.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Mountain Lake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only80.1%
2% above US avg
Spanish19.9%
49% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Mountain Lake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Mountain Lake is $59,115, which is 21% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 14.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 13 minutes.

Income: Mountain Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$59,115
21% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,279
Avg Weekly Wage$929
IRS Avg AGI$64,714

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.0%
17% below US avg
Poverty Rate14.5%
17% above US avg
Establishments (County)343
County GDP$611M

Business (County)

Restaurants19
Healthcare26
Retail40
Manufacturing16

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,808
20% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.36%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time13.1 min
Work from Home11.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Mountain Lake is $118,900, 58% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $833 (28% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $157,340.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$118,900
58% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$157,340

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$833
28% 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-Occupied73.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,808
20% below US avg
Effective Rate2.36%
In Mountain Lake, 38.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.0% report depression. 29.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.2%
19% above US avg
Diabetes10.5%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure29.8%
Asthma9.8%
COPD5.9%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.2%
Physical Inactivity29.3%
Depression24.0%
Mental Distress16.8%
Physical Distress12.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.8%
Checkup Rate71.7%
Premature Death6,012/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.0/10
Exercise Access71.4%
Healthcare Facilities26
Mountain Lake has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 702 per 100,000 (64% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Mountain Lake 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 Property702.3/100K
64% below US avg
Burglary46.8/100K
Theft608.6/100K
Vehicle Theft46.8/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
Mountain Lake 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 33.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

14°F Jan (-10°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average45.4°F
16% below US avg
January Average14°F (-10°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall33.1 inches
13% below US avg
Snowfall50.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,299 ft (396 m)
Area1.6 sq mi (4.2 km²)
Population Density1,125/sq mi
Coordinates43.9401°N, 94.9277°W
County FIPS27165
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 21.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (35% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 27.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 62.9%
D 35.1%

Winner: Republican by 27.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.9%
35% below US avg
High School+89.6%
School Test Score6.08
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density1,125/sq mi
Total Area1.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities26
Restaurants19
Retail Stores40

Safety & Disasters

C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute13.1 min
Work from Home11.5%

Nearby Cities

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