Minnesota · Metropolitan Area
Prior Lake is a small city in Minnesota with a population of 27,832. Residents earn $130,278 per year, which is 73% above the national average.
Based on current data, Prior Lake receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Prior Lake stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.
The median household income in Prior Lake is $130,278, which is significantly higher than the national average — 73% above $75,149. This places Prior Lake among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.9%. Only 1.4% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.
The median home value in Prior Lake is $429,900, making it a premium housing market at 53% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,548 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. A price-to-income ratio of 3.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.
Prior Lake is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 93 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,497 per 100,000, 24% below the national average.
Prior Lake is a highly educated community — 51.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 96.5% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.
Prior Lake experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 30.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.
| English Only | 91.9% |
| 17% above US avg | |
| Spanish | 8.1% |
| 40% below US avg |
| Median HH Income | $130,278 |
| 73% above US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $63,391 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $1,195 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $110,807 |
| Unemployment | 0.9% |
| 75% below US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 1.4% |
| 89% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 3,996 |
| County GDP | $10,952M |
| Restaurants | 254 |
| Healthcare | 327 |
| Retail | 322 |
| Manufacturing | 172 |
| Property Tax (IRS) | $5,631 |
| 61% above US avg | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 1.31% |
| Commute Time | 24.7 min |
| Work from Home | 22.0% |
| Census Median | $429,900 |
| 53% above US avg | |
| Zillow ZHVI | $515,927 |
| Median List Price | $517,500 |
| Median List Price | $517,500 |
| $/Sq Ft | $203 |
| Homes Sold | 16 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 97.3% |
| Price Drops | 12.1% |
| Inventory | 66 |
| Census Median Rent | $1,548 |
| 33% above US avg | |
| Zillow Rent (ZORI) | $1,859 |
| Studio | $809 |
| 1 Bedroom | $899 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,125 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,483 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,698 |
| Owner-Occupied | 85.6% |
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $5,631 |
| 61% above US avg | |
| Effective Rate | 1.31% |
| Obesity | 30.5% |
| 5% below US avg | |
| Diabetes | 7.8% |
| Heart Disease | 4.2% |
| High Blood Pressure | 27.1% |
| Asthma | 9.6% |
| COPD | 3.7% |
| Stroke | 2.2% |
| Binge Drinking | 20.9% |
| Physical Inactivity | 20.0% |
| Depression | 23.3% |
| Mental Distress | 14.6% |
| Physical Distress | 9.5% |
| Insurance Rate | 97.0% |
| Checkup Rate | 73.1% |
| Premature Death | 4,774/100K |
| Food Environment | 9.7/10 |
| Exercise Access | 95.3% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 327 |
| Total Violent | 92.8/100K |
| 76% below US avg | |
| Murder | 0.0/100K |
| 100% below US avg | |
| Rape | 40.4/100K |
| Robbery | 4.0/100K |
| Assault | 48.4/100K |
| Total Property | 1,497.2/100K |
| 24% below US avg | |
| Burglary | 133.2/100K |
| Theft | 1,319.7/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 44.4/100K |
| Arson | 0.0/100K |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 12 |
| Safety Grade | F |
| Safety Score | 1.0 / 5.0 |
| Annual Average | 46.7°F |
| 14% below US avg | |
| January Average | 16°F (-9°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Annual Rainfall | 30.6 inches |
| 19% below US avg |
| AQI Median | 36.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Elevation | 940 ft (287 m) |
| Area | 16.3 sq mi (42.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,709/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.7256°N, 93.4409°W |
| County FIPS | 27139 |
Winner: Republican by 8.5 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.5% |
| 53% above US avg | |
| High School+ | 96.5% |
| School Test Score | 6.08 |
| RUCC Code 1 | Metro — 1 million+ |
| Population Density | 1,709/sq mi |
| Total Area | 16.3 sq mi |
| EV Charging Stations | 10 |
| Alt Fuel Stations | 12 |
| Public Libraries | 8 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 327 |
| Restaurants | 254 |
| Retail Stores | 322 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 12 |
| Avg Commute | 24.7 min |
| Work from Home | 22.0% |