Princeton, MN

Minnesota · Metropolitan Area

Princeton is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 4,988. Residents earn $52,450 per year, which is 30% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
4,988 Population 1,012/sq mi density
$52,450 Median Income $31,304 per capita
$212,200 Home Value $361,638 Zillow
$953 Median Rent
44°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$52,450 median income, 1.0% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.4 / 5.0
$212,200 home value, $953/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
C
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $52,450
30% lower than US avg
Home Value $212,200
25% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 12.9%
62% lower than US avg
Median Rent $953
18% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.0%
18% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.0%
72% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.7%
86% lower than US avg

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

People

Population4,988
Median Age39.5 yrs
Density1,012/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 95%

Economy

A
Median Income$52,450
Per Capita$31,304
Unemployment1.0%
Poverty1.7%
County GDP$4,897M
Commute24 min

Housing

A
Home Value$212,200
Rent$953
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$361,638

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property3,310/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary256/100K

Health

Obesity38.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.6%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp44°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain30.7 in/yr
Elevation974 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+12.9%
High School+89.9%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 67% / D 32%
Commute24 min
EV Stations3
Libraries3

Is Princeton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Princeton receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Princeton offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Princeton is $52,450, 30% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.0%. Only 1.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Princeton is $212,200, 25% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $953 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Princeton is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,310 per 100,000, 69% above the national average.

Education

12.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.9% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Princeton has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F. Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 30.7 inches, including 49.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Princeton has a population of 4,988 with a density of 1,012 people per square mile. The median age is 39.5 years, 2% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.2%), with 1.5% Hispanic.

Population

4,988
Total Population
1,012
People / sq mi
39.5yrs
Median Age
2% above US avg
4.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.4%
Female 51.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Princeton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.8%
25% above US avg
Spanish2.2%
84% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Princeton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Princeton is $52,450, which is 30% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Princeton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$52,450
30% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,304
Avg Weekly Wage$1,111
IRS Avg AGI$83,466

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.0%
72% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.7%
86% below US avg
Establishments (County)2,490
County GDP$4,897M

Business (County)

Restaurants119
Healthcare198
Retail194
Manufacturing161

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,425
26% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.09%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.5 min
Work from Home4.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Princeton is $212,200, 25% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $953 (18% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $361,638.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$212,200
25% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$361,638

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$953
18% 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-Occupied57.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,425
26% above US avg
Effective Rate2.09%
In Princeton, 38.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.6% report depression. 27.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.0%
18% above US avg
Diabetes9.5%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure30.4%
Asthma10.8%
COPD6.1%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.6%
Physical Inactivity27.1%
Depression26.6%
Mental Distress18.1%
Physical Distress12.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.4%
Checkup Rate70.9%
Premature Death4,934/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.5/10
Exercise Access84.6%
Healthcare Facilities198
Princeton has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,310 per 100,000 (69% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,309.8/100K
69% above US avg
Burglary256.3/100K
Theft2,904.1/100K
Vehicle Theft149.5/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
Princeton has an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation is 30.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

13°F Jan (-11°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average43.7°F
19% below US avg
January Average13°F (-11°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall30.7 inches
19% below US avg
Snowfall49.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation974 ft (297 m)
Area4.9 sq mi (12.8 km²)
Population Density1,012/sq mi
Coordinates45.5682°N, 93.5903°W
County FIPS27141
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 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 34.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 66.6%
D 31.7%

Winner: Republican by 34.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+12.9%
62% below US avg
High School+89.9%
School Test Score6.08
C Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density1,012/sq mi
Total Area4.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations8
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities198
Restaurants119
Retail Stores194

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7
C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.5 min
Work from Home4.7%

Nearby Cities

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