Park Rapids, MN

Minnesota

Park Rapids is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 4,226. Residents earn $45,800 per year, which is 39% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
4,226 Population 572/sq mi density
$45,800 Median Income $34,365 per capita
$218,500 Home Value $307,606 Zillow
$912 Median Rent
40°F Avg Temperature
281 Violent Crime/100K 7,055 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$45,800 median income, 3.9% unemployment
B+
Affordability
4.0 / 5.0
$218,500 home value, $912/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
281 violent crimes/100K (26% below avg)
B
Education
3.0 / 5.0
25.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $45,800
39% lower than US avg
Home Value $218,500
22% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 281/100K
26% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 25.6%
24% lower than US avg
Median Rent $912
22% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.6%
14% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.9%
8% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.8%
61% lower than US avg

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

People

Population4,226
Median Age45.2 yrs
Density572/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 89%

Economy

B+
Median Income$45,800
Per Capita$34,365
Unemployment3.9%
Poverty4.8%
County GDP$2,058M
Commute27 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$218,500
Rent$912
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$307,606

Crime

F
Violent281/100K
Property7,055/100K
Murder25.6/100K
Assault230/100K
Burglary869/100K

Health

Obesity36.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.3%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp40°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain23.9 in/yr
Elevation1,444 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+25.6%
High School+90.8%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 66% / D 33%
Commute27 min
EV Stations2
Libraries1

Is Park Rapids a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Park Rapids receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Park Rapids has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Park Rapids is $45,800, 39% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.9%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 4.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Park Rapids is $218,500, 22% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $912 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.8x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Park Rapids is below the national average at 281 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 7,055 per 100,000, 260% above the national average.

Education

25.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.8% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Park Rapids has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 40°F. Winters average 8°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 23.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Park Rapids has a population of 4,226 with a density of 572 people per square mile. The median age is 45.2 years, 16% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (89.1%), with 3.8% Hispanic.

Population

4,226
Total Population
572
People / sq mi
45.2yrs
Median Age
16% above US avg
7.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.6%
Female 52.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Park Rapids vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.6%
21% above US avg
Spanish5.4%
60% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Park Rapids vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Park Rapids is $45,800, which is 39% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.9% (above the 3.6% US average). 4.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Park Rapids vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$45,800
39% below US avg
Per Capita Income$34,365
Avg Weekly Wage$1,024
IRS Avg AGI$73,290

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.9%
8% above US avg
Poverty Rate4.8%
61% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,140
County GDP$2,058M

Business (County)

Restaurants83
Healthcare95
Retail135
Manufacturing36

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,803
37% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.20%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.0 min
Work from Home10.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Park Rapids is $218,500, 22% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $912 (22% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $307,606.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$218,500
22% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$307,606

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$912
22% 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-Occupied50.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,803
37% above US avg
Effective Rate2.20%
In Park Rapids, 36.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.3% report depression. 24.1% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Park Rapids vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.6%
14% above US avg
Diabetes10.0%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure27.1%
Asthma10.7%
COPD5.9%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.6%
Physical Inactivity24.1%
Depression25.3%
Mental Distress17.6%
Physical Distress12.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.5%
Checkup Rate73.1%
Premature Death7,442/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.8/10
Exercise Access61.7%
Healthcare Facilities95
Park Rapids has a violent crime rate of 281 per 100,000 residents, 26% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 7,055 per 100,000 (260% above US avg). The murder rate is 25.6 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent281.2/100K
26% below US avg
Murder25.6/100K
306% above US avg
Rape25.6/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault230.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property7,055.2/100K
260% above US avg
Burglary869.1/100K
Theft5,956.0/100K
Vehicle Theft230.1/100K
Arson51.1/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Park Rapids has an average annual temperature of 40°F (5°C). Winters average 8°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation is 23.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

8°F Jan (-14°C) 69°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average40.4°F
25% below US avg
January Average8°F (-14°C)
July Average69°F (20°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall23.9 inches
37% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,444 ft (440 m)
Area7.4 sq mi (19.1 km²)
Population Density572/sq mi
Coordinates46.9164°N, 95.0579°W
County FIPS27005
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 25.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (24% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 33.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 65.8%
D 32.7%

Winner: Republican by 33.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+25.6%
24% below US avg
High School+90.8%
School Test Score6.08
B Education Grade (3.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density572/sq mi
Total Area7.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities95
Restaurants83
Retail Stores135

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.0 min
Work from Home10.6%

Nearby Cities

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