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Ruthton, MN

Minnesota

Ruthton is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 180. Residents earn $40,000 per year, which is 47% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
180 Population 310/sq mi density
$40,000 Median Income $26,652 per capita
$54,100 Home Value
$775 Median Rent 23.3% income on rent
44°F Avg Temperature 276 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$40,000 median income, 2.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$54,100 home value, $775/mo rent
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $40,000
47% lower than US avg
Home Value $54,100
81% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.2%
67% lower than US avg
Median Rent $775
33% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.5%
23% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.0%
44% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.0%
44% lower than US avg

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

People

Population180
Median Age46.8 yrs
Density310/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 84%
Veterans7.3%

Economy

B+
Median Income$40,000
Per Capita$26,652
Unemployment2.0%
Poverty7.0%
County GDP$988M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$54,100
Rent$775
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units123
Rent Burden23.3%

Health

Obesity39.5%
Uninsured10.7%
Smoking17.5%
Depression25.4%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp44°F (7°C)
AQI36 (Good)
Rain28.6 in/yr
Sunny Days276/yr
Elevation1,729 ft (527 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.2%
High School+89.6%
Graduate+2.9%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 73% / D 25%
Commute23 min
Broadband89.2%
Libraries2

Is Ruthton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ruthton receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Ruthton offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ruthton is $40,000, 47% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.0%. Only 7.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ruthton is $54,100, 81% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $775 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

11.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.6% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Ruthton has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F. Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. With 276 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 28.6 inches, including 39.6 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Ruthton has a population of 180 with a density of 310 people per square mile. The median age is 46.8 years, 20% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (83.9%), with 1.7% Hispanic.

Population

180
Total Population
310
People / sq mi
46.8yrs
Median Age
20% above US avg
0.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.4%
Female 50.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Ruthton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only93.3%
19% above US avg
Spanish6.7%
50% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Ruthton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ruthton is $40,000, which is 47% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 7.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Ruthton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$40,000
47% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,652
Avg Weekly Wage$979
IRS Avg AGI$72,655

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.0%
44% below US avg
Poverty Rate7.0%
44% below US avg
Establishments (County)399
County GDP$988M

Business (County)

Restaurants17
Healthcare25
Retail52
Manufacturing13

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,720
22% below US avg
Cost of Living98.60 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate5.03%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.5 min
Drive Alone70.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home7.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Ruthton is $54,100, 81% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $775 (33% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$54,100
81% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$775
33% below US avg
Rent Burden23.3%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied83.3%
Housing Units123
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,720
22% below US avg
Effective Rate5.03%
In Ruthton, 39.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 10.7% of residents lack health insurance. 17.5% are current smokers. 25.4% report depression. 26.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.5%
23% above US avg
Diabetes10.2%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure30.0%
Asthma10.2%
COPD6.0%
Cancer7.1%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking17.5%
25% above US avg
Binge Drinking19.8%
Physical Inactivity26.6%
Depression25.4%
Mental Distress17.6%
Physical Distress12.8%
Short Sleep32.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.5%
Uninsured10.7%
24% above US avg
Primary Care1:1,863
Dentists1:2,339
Mental Health1:770
Checkup Rate71.7%
Dental Visits59.5%
Premature Death7,687/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.2/10
Exercise Access50.9%
Healthcare Facilities25
Ruthton has an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 28.6 inches. The area enjoys 276 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

14°F Jan (-10°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average44.4°F
18% below US avg
January Average14°F (-10°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days276 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall28.6 inches
25% below US avg
Snowfall39.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,729 ft (527 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²)
Population Density310/sq mi
Coordinates44.1775°N, 96.1034°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS27117
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 11.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (67% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 48.1-point margin. 89.2% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 73.3%
D 25.2%

Winner: Republican by 48.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.2%
67% below US avg
High School+89.6%
Graduate Degree+2.9%
School Test Score6.08
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density310/sq mi
Total Area0.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access89.2%
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities25
Restaurants17
Retail Stores52

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.5 min
Drive Alone70.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home7.9%

Nearby Cities

Tyler, MN 1,019 pop · 7.1 mi Pipestone, MN 4,165 pop · 16.2 mi Edgerton, MN 1,207 pop · 20.9 mi Slayton, MN 2,089 pop · 21.5 mi Tracy, MN 1,869 pop · 24.3 mi Marshall, MN 13,880 pop · 24.4 mi Flandreau, SD 2,291 pop · 26.4 mi Minneota, MN 1,531 pop · 27.3 mi Aurora, SD 1,407 pop · 29.6 mi Fulda, MN 1,348 pop · 32.7 mi Brookings, SD 23,710 pop · 35.0 mi Luverne, MN 4,907 pop · 36.6 mi Cottonwood, MN 1,120 pop · 36.8 mi Garretson, SD 1,166 pop · 37.7 mi
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