Preston, MN

Minnesota · Metropolitan Area

Preston is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 1,315. Residents earn $60,438 per year, which is 20% below the national average.

4.1 /5.0
A Great
1,315 Population 532/sq mi density
$60,438 Median Income $36,526 per capita
$169,600 Home Value $254,689 Zillow
$649 Median Rent
44°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$60,438 median income, 2.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$169,600 home value, $649/mo rent
B
Education
3.2 / 5.0
27.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $60,438
20% lower than US avg
Home Value $169,600
40% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 27.6%
18% lower than US avg
Median Rent $649
44% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.2%
28% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.3%
36% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.7%
38% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,315
Median Age41.3 yrs
Density532/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 97%

Economy

A
Median Income$60,438
Per Capita$36,526
Unemployment2.3%
Poverty7.7%
County GDP$877M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$169,600
Rent$649
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$254,689

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity41.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.2%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp44°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain36.8 in/yr
Elevation954 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+27.6%
High School+97.4%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 62% / D 36%
Commute22 min
EV Stations3
Libraries7

Is Preston a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Preston receives an overall livability score of 4.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Preston stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Preston is $60,438, 20% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.3%. Only 7.7% 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 Preston is $169,600, 40% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $649 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

27.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 97.4% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Preston has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F. Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 36.8 inches, including 42.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Preston has a population of 1,315 with a density of 532 people per square mile. The median age is 41.3 years, 6% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.7%).

Population

1,315
Total Population
532
People / sq mi
41.3yrs
Median Age
6% above US avg
2.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.1%
Female 47.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Preston vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.7%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.3%
98% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Preston vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Preston is $60,438, which is 20% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 7.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Preston vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$60,438
20% below US avg
Per Capita Income$36,526
Avg Weekly Wage$852
IRS Avg AGI$68,191

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.3%
36% below US avg
Poverty Rate7.7%
38% below US avg
Establishments (County)802
County GDP$877M

Business (County)

Restaurants64
Healthcare46
Retail89
Manufacturing45

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,479
1% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.05%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.7 min
Work from Home11.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Preston is $169,600, 40% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $649 (44% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $254,689.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$169,600
40% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$254,689

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$140
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio86.8%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory1

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$649
44% 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-Occupied72.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,479
1% below US avg
Effective Rate2.05%
In Preston, 41.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.2% report depression. 24.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.2%
28% above US avg
Diabetes9.3%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure29.9%
Asthma10.5%
COPD5.8%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.5%
Physical Inactivity24.1%
Depression26.2%
Mental Distress17.8%
Physical Distress12.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.6%
Checkup Rate71.6%
Premature Death6,032/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.5/10
Exercise Access78.7%
Healthcare Facilities46

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Preston has an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation is 36.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

14°F Jan (-10°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average43.8°F
19% below US avg
January Average14°F (-10°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall36.8 inches
3% below US avg
Snowfall42.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation954 ft (291 m)
Area2.5 sq mi (6.4 km²)
Population Density532/sq mi
Coordinates43.6726°N, 92.0828°W
County FIPS27045
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 27.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (18% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 25.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 61.9%
D 36.4%

Winner: Republican by 25.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+27.6%
18% below US avg
High School+97.4%
School Test Score6.08
B Education Grade (3.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density532/sq mi
Total Area2.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations4
Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities46
Restaurants64
Retail Stores89

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.7 min
Work from Home11.9%

Nearby Cities

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