Paynesville, MN

Minnesota · Metropolitan Area

Paynesville is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 2,476. Residents earn $72,105 per year, which is 4% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
2,476 Population 1,081/sq mi density
$72,105 Median Income $35,009 per capita
$168,800 Home Value $218,453 Zillow
$791 Median Rent
43°F Avg Temperature
83 Violent Crime/100K 1,900 property/100K
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$72,105 median income, 1.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$168,800 home value, $791/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
83 violent crimes/100K (78% below avg)
B
Education
3.2 / 5.0
27.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $72,105
4% lower than US avg
Home Value $168,800
40% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 83/100K
78% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 27.9%
17% lower than US avg
Median Rent $791
32% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 34.7%
8% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.4%
61% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.0%
100% lower than US avg

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

People

Population2,476
Median Age40.6 yrs
Density1,081/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 90%

Economy

A
Median Income$72,105
Per Capita$35,009
Unemployment1.4%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$12,618M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$168,800
Rent$791
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$218,453

Crime

F
Violent83/100K
Property1,900/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault41/100K
Burglary330/100K

Health

Obesity34.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.6%
Heart Disease4.7%

Climate

Avg Temp43°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain31.4 in/yr
Elevation1,175 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+27.9%
High School+93.1%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 62% / D 36%
Commute22 min
EV Stations1
Libraries10

Is Paynesville a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Paynesville receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Paynesville offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Paynesville is $72,105, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.4%. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Paynesville is $168,800, 40% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $791 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Paynesville 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 1,900 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

27.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.1% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Paynesville has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F. Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 31.4 inches, including 50.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Paynesville has a population of 2,476 with a density of 1,081 people per square mile. The median age is 40.6 years, 4% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (89.7%), with 4.1% Hispanic.

Population

2,476
Total Population
1,081
People / sq mi
40.6yrs
Median Age
4% above US avg
2.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.9%
Female 50.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Paynesville vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.0%
25% above US avg
Spanish2.0%
85% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Paynesville vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Paynesville is $72,105, which is 4% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Paynesville vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$72,105
4% below US avg
Per Capita Income$35,009
Avg Weekly Wage$1,198
IRS Avg AGI$79,564

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.4%
61% below US avg
Poverty Rate0.0%
100% 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 Rate3.02%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.5 min
Work from Home7.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Paynesville is $168,800, 40% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $791 (32% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $218,453.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$168,800
40% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$218,453
Median List Price$195,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$195,000
$/Sq Ft$147
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio99.8%
Price Drops25.0%
Inventory12

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$791
32% 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-Occupied69.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,101
46% above US avg
Effective Rate3.02%
In Paynesville, 34.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.6% report depression. 20.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity34.7%
8% above US avg
Diabetes8.0%
Heart Disease4.7%
High Blood Pressure26.0%
Asthma10.1%
COPD4.6%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.2%
Physical Inactivity20.0%
Depression25.6%
Mental Distress16.3%
Physical Distress10.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.9%
Checkup Rate72.6%
Premature Death6,211/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access77.6%
Healthcare Facilities529
Paynesville has a violent crime rate of 83 per 100,000 residents, 78% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,900 per 100,000 (3% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent82.6/100K
78% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape41.3/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault41.3/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,900.0/100K
3% below US avg
Burglary330.4/100K
Theft1,528.3/100K
Vehicle Theft41.3/100K
Arson41.3/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Paynesville has an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 31.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

11°F Jan (-12°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average43.0°F
20% below US avg
January Average11°F (-12°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall31.4 inches
17% below US avg
Snowfall50.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,175 ft (358 m)
Area2.3 sq mi (5.9 km²)
Population Density1,081/sq mi
Coordinates45.3785°N, 94.7216°W
County FIPS27145
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 27.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (17% 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+27.9%
17% below US avg
High School+93.1%
School Test Score6.08
B Education Grade (3.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density1,081/sq mi
Total Area2.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations5
Public Libraries10
Healthcare Facilities529
Restaurants391
Retail Stores642

Safety & Disasters

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

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.5 min
Work from Home7.8%

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