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Peterson, MN

Minnesota

Peterson is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 256. Residents earn $66,250 per year, which is 12% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
256 Population 533/sq mi density
$66,250 Median Income $30,438 per capita
$112,500 Home Value
$538 Median Rent 23.8% income on rent
45°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$66,250 median income, 0.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$112,500 home value, $538/mo rent
C
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $66,250
12% lower than US avg
Home Value $112,500
60% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 12.9%
62% lower than US avg
Median Rent $538
54% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.9%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.5%
86% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.2%
2% lower than US avg

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

People

Population256
Median Age31.5 yrs
Density533/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 95%
Veterans8.9%

Economy

A
Median Income$66,250
Per Capita$30,438
Unemployment0.5%
Poverty12.2%
County GDP$2,964M
Commute30 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$112,500
Rent$538
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units124
Rent Burden23.8%

Health

Obesity39.9%
Uninsured7.2%
Smoking14.9%
Depression24.9%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F (7°C)
AQI36 (Good)
Rain36.9 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation745 ft (227 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+12.9%
High School+95.9%
Graduate+5.9%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 52% / D 47%
Commute30 min
Broadband98.0%
Libraries2

Is Peterson a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Peterson receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, strong internet connectivity. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Peterson offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Peterson is $66,250, 12% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.5%. 12.2% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Peterson is $112,500, 60% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $538 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

12.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 95.9% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Peterson has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 36.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Peterson has a population of 256 with a density of 533 people per square mile. The median age is 31.5 years, 19% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.3%), with 3.9% Hispanic.

Population

256
Total Population
533
People / sq mi
31.5yrs
Median Age
19% below US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52%
Female 48%

Race & Ethnicity

Peterson vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Peterson vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Peterson is $66,250, which is 12% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 12.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Income: Peterson vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$66,250
12% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,438
Avg Weekly Wage$1,016
IRS Avg AGI$71,301

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.5%
86% below US avg
Poverty Rate12.2%
2% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,256
County GDP$2,964M

Business (County)

Restaurants129
Healthcare135
Retail141
Manufacturing99

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,717
6% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.30%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.9 min
Drive Alone70.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Peterson is $112,500, 60% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $538 (54% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$112,500
60% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$538
54% below US avg
Rent Burden23.8%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied91.8%
Housing Units124
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,717
6% above US avg
Effective Rate3.30%
In Peterson, 39.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.2% of residents lack health insurance. 14.9% are current smokers. 24.9% report depression. 21.4% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.9%
24% above US avg
Diabetes8.5%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure28.9%
Asthma10.0%
COPD5.0%
Cancer7.5%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking14.9%
6% above US avg
Binge Drinking21.6%
Physical Inactivity21.4%
Depression24.9%
Mental Distress16.5%
Physical Distress11.1%
Short Sleep30.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.3%
Uninsured7.2%
16% below US avg
Checkup Rate71.7%
Dental Visits67.2%
Premature Death5,475/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.0/10
Exercise Access92.5%
Healthcare Facilities135
Peterson has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 36.9 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

15°F Jan (-9°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average44.8°F
17% below US avg
January Average15°F (-9°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall36.9 inches
3% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation745 ft (227 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²)
Population Density533/sq mi
Coordinates43.7885°N, 91.8320°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS27169
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 12.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (62% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 4.9-point margin. 98.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 51.5%
D 46.6%

Winner: Republican by 4.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+12.9%
62% below US avg
High School+95.9%
Graduate Degree+5.9%
School Test Score6.08
C Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density533/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access98.0%
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities135
Restaurants129
Retail Stores141

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.9 min
Drive Alone70.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.5%

Nearby Cities

Rushford, MN 1,790 pop · 4.3 mi Lewiston, MN 1,680 pop · 13.5 mi Preston, MN 1,315 pop · 14.9 mi St. Charles, MN 4,021 pop · 16.8 mi Chatfield, MN 2,693 pop · 17.9 mi Harmony, MN 1,089 pop · 18.4 mi Spring Grove, MN 1,223 pop · 18.5 mi Caledonia, MN 2,825 pop · 19.7 mi Winona, MN 25,998 pop · 19.9 mi Goodview, MN 4,104 pop · 20.2 mi Eyota, MN 2,090 pop · 24.2 mi Trempealeau, WI 1,737 pop · 25.0 mi La Crescent, MN 5,266 pop · 26.4 mi Brice Prairie, WI 1,858 pop · 28.1 mi
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