Park Rapids, MN

Full City Profile · Minnesota · Becker County County

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
4,226 Population 572/sq mi density
$45,800 Median Income $34,365 per capita
$218,500 Home Value $326,623 Zillow
$912 Median Rent 30.4% income on rent
40°F Avg Temperature
414 Violent Crime/100K 2,162 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$45,800 median income, 6.9% unemployment
B+
Affordability
4.0 / 5.0
$218,500 home value, $912/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
414 violent crimes/100K (9% above avg)
B
Education
3.0 / 5.0
25.6% bachelor's degree or higher

Park Rapids, MN

At a Glance

Median Income
$45,800
39% below
$34,365 per capita
Home Value
$218,500
22% below
Zillow: $326,623
Median Rent
$912/mo
22% below
30.4% of income on rent
Violent Crime
414/100K
9% above
2,162/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
25.6%
24% below
90.8% high school+
Unemployment
6.9%
92% above
4.8% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
36.6%
14% above
16.2% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
40°F

How Park Rapids Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Park Rapids's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
61%
Home Value
78%
Rent
78%
Poverty
39%
Bachelor's
76%
Unemployment
192%
Crime
109%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Park Rapids a Good Place to Live?

C+
2.8 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Park Rapids residents earn a median household income of $45,800 , which is 39% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $34,365. The unemployment rate stands at 6.9% (92% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 4.8% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 1,140 business establishments, including 83 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Park Rapids is $218,500 , 22% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $326,623. Median rent is $912/month, with 30.4% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 98.6 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1978.

Safety & Crime

Park Rapids reports 414 violent crimes per 100,000 residents , which is 9% above the national average of 380/100K. Property crime is 2,162/100K.

Education

25.6% of adults in Park Rapids hold a bachelor's degree or higher (24% below the national average). 90.8% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.2/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

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 totals 23.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Data Overview

People

Population4,226
Median Age45.2 yrs
Density572/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Foreign Born2.1%
Veterans4.5%

Economy

B
Median Income$45,800
Per Capita$34,365
Unemployment6.9%
Poverty4.8%
County GDP$2,058M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,024

Housing

B+
Home Value$218,500
Rent$912
Ownership50.8%
Zillow$326,623
Housing Units1,995
Rent Burden30.4%

Crime

F
Violent414/100K
Property2,162/100K

Health

Obesity36.6%
Diabetes10.0%
Smoking16.2%
Heart Disease5.6%
Premature Death7,442/100K

Climate

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

Education

B
Bachelor's+25.6%
High School+90.8%
Graduate+6.5%
School Score6.2/10

Community

2024 VoteR 66% / D 33%
Commute27 min
Broadband82.9%
Internet Speed125 Mbps
EV Stations2
Libraries1

Did You Know?

Park Rapids was founded in 1890.
The median home in Park Rapids was built in 1978.
The nearest airport is Bemidji Regional (41 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.472 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Very Low" by FEMA.
20.7% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 125 Mbps.
The county recorded 1 fatal vehicle crashes.