Ottertail, MN

Minnesota

Ottertail is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 490. Residents earn $83,750 per year, which is 11% above the national average.

4.1 /5.0
A Great
490 Population 114/sq mi density
$83,750 Median Income $56,679 per capita
$262,500 Home Value $342,843 Zillow
$1,047 Median Rent 21.1% income on rent
41°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$83,750 median income, 3.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$262,500 home value, $1,047/mo rent
B
Education
3.0 / 5.0
25.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $83,750
11% higher than US avg
Home Value $262,500
7% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 25.5%
24% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,047
10% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 32.7%
2% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.0%
17% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.1%
42% lower than US avg

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

People

Population490
Median Age58.7 yrs
Density114/mi²
Male / Female54% / 46%
Largest GroupWhite 95%
Veterans7.9%

Economy

A
Median Income$83,750
Per Capita$56,679
Unemployment3.0%
Poverty7.1%
County GDP$3,285M
Commute25 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$262,500
Rent$1,047
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$342,843
Rent Burden21.1%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity32.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.3%
Heart Disease4.9%

Climate

Avg Temp41°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain28.2 in/yr
Elevation1,340 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+25.5%
High School+94.0%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 66% / D 32%
Commute25 min
Broadband91.5%
Libraries5

Is Ottertail a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ottertail receives an overall livability score of 4.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Ottertail stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ottertail is $83,750, 11% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. Unemployment stands at 3.0%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 7.1% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ottertail is $262,500, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,047 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.1x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

25.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.0% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Ottertail has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F. Winters average 8°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 28.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Ottertail has a population of 490 with a density of 114 people per square mile. The median age is 58.7 years, 51% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.5%).

Population

490
Total Population
114
People / sq mi
58.7yrs
Median Age
51% above US avg
4.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 53.9%
Female 46.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Ottertail vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Ottertail vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ottertail is $83,750, which is 11% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 7.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Ottertail vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$83,750
11% above US avg
Per Capita Income$56,679
Avg Weekly Wage$1,000
IRS Avg AGI$71,755

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.0%
17% below US avg
Poverty Rate7.1%
42% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,908
County GDP$3,285M

Business (County)

Restaurants165
Healthcare181
Retail250
Manufacturing89

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,298
23% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.64%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.3 min
Drive Alone75.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home17.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Ottertail is $262,500, 7% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,047 (10% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $342,843.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$262,500
7% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$342,843

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,047
10% below US avg
Rent Burden21.1%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied89.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,298
23% above US avg
Effective Rate1.64%
In Ottertail, 32.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.3% report depression. 20.4% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity32.7%
2% above US avg
Diabetes7.7%
Heart Disease4.9%
High Blood Pressure24.0%
Asthma9.7%
COPD4.4%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.6%
Physical Inactivity20.4%
Depression24.3%
Mental Distress15.8%
Physical Distress10.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.9%
Checkup Rate71.2%
Premature Death6,919/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.7/10
Exercise Access50.9%
Healthcare Facilities181

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9

Safety Score

Ottertail has an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 8°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation is 28.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

8°F Jan (-14°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average40.9°F
24% below US avg
January Average8°F (-14°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall28.2 inches
26% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,340 ft (408 m)
Area4.3 sq mi (11.1 km²)
Population Density114/sq mi
Coordinates46.4316°N, 95.5712°W
County FIPS27111
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 25.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (24% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 34.2-point margin. 91.5% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 66.3%
D 32.1%

Winner: Republican by 34.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+25.5%
24% below US avg
High School+94.0%
School Test Score6.08
B Education Grade (3.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density114/sq mi
Total Area4.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access91.5%
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities181
Restaurants165
Retail Stores250

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.3 min
Drive Alone75.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home17.1%

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