Sauk Centre, MN

Minnesota · Metropolitan Area

Sauk Centre is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 4,589. Residents earn $65,763 per year, which is 12% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
4,589 Population 1,119/sq mi density
$65,763 Median Income $34,823 per capita
$196,000 Home Value $313,993 Zillow
$778 Median Rent
42°F Avg Temperature
232 Violent Crime/100K 2,641 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$65,763 median income, 5.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$196,000 home value, $778/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
232 violent crimes/100K (39% below avg)
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
19.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $65,763
12% lower than US avg
Home Value $196,000
30% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 232/100K
39% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.9%
41% lower than US avg
Median Rent $778
33% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.5%
17% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.5%
53% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.9%
36% lower than US avg

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

People

Population4,589
Median Age39.3 yrs
Density1,119/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 92%

Economy

B+
Median Income$65,763
Per Capita$34,823
Unemployment5.5%
Poverty7.9%
County GDP$12,618M
Commute29 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$196,000
Rent$778
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$313,993

Crime

F
Violent232/100K
Property2,641/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault162/100K
Burglary301/100K

Health

Obesity37.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.3%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp42°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain29.1 in/yr
Elevation1,253 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.9%
High School+92.0%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 62% / D 36%
Commute29 min
EV Stations1
Libraries10

Is Sauk Centre a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Sauk Centre receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment. Sauk Centre offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Sauk Centre is $65,763, 12% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.5% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 7.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Sauk Centre is $196,000, 30% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $778 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Sauk Centre is below the national average at 232 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,641 per 100,000, 35% above the national average.

Education

19.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.0% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Sauk Centre has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F. Winters average 10°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 29.1 inches, including 39.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Sauk Centre has a population of 4,589 with a density of 1,119 people per square mile. The median age is 39.3 years, 1% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91.6%), with 1.4% Hispanic.

Population

4,589
Total Population
1,119
People / sq mi
39.3yrs
Median Age
1% above US avg
4.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.8%
Female 53.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Sauk Centre vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only92.1%
17% above US avg
Spanish7.9%
41% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Sauk Centre vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Sauk Centre is $65,763, which is 12% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.5% (above the 3.6% US average). 7.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: Sauk Centre vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$65,763
12% below US avg
Per Capita Income$34,823
Avg Weekly Wage$1,198
IRS Avg AGI$79,564

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.5%
53% above US avg
Poverty Rate7.9%
36% below US avg
Establishments (County)4,733
County GDP$12,618M

Business (County)

Restaurants391
Healthcare529
Retail642
Manufacturing231

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,101
46% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.60%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.2 min
Work from Home7.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Sauk Centre is $196,000, 30% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $778 (33% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $313,993.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$196,000
30% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$313,993
Median List Price$254,950

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$254,950
$/Sq Ft$135
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio91.8%
Price Drops7.7%
Inventory13

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$778
33% 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-Occupied61.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,101
46% above US avg
Effective Rate2.60%
In Sauk Centre, 37.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.3% report depression. 24.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Sauk Centre vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.5%
17% above US avg
Diabetes9.4%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure28.2%
Asthma10.3%
COPD5.8%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.2%
Physical Inactivity24.3%
Depression26.3%
Mental Distress17.6%
Physical Distress12.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.0%
Checkup Rate72.0%
Premature Death6,211/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access77.6%
Healthcare Facilities529
Sauk Centre has a violent crime rate of 232 per 100,000 residents, 39% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,641 per 100,000 (35% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent231.6/100K
39% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape23.2/100K
Robbery46.3/100K
Assault162.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,640.7/100K
35% above US avg
Burglary301.1/100K
Theft2,223.8/100K
Vehicle Theft115.8/100K
Arson69.5/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Sauk Centre has an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 10°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation is 29.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

10°F Jan (-12°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average42.0°F
22% below US avg
January Average10°F (-12°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall29.1 inches
23% below US avg
Snowfall39.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,253 ft (382 m)
Area4.1 sq mi (10.6 km²)
Population Density1,119/sq mi
Coordinates45.7365°N, 94.9527°W
County FIPS27145
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 19.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (41% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 26.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 62.5%
D 35.7%

Winner: Republican by 26.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.9%
41% below US avg
High School+92.0%
School Test Score6.08
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density1,119/sq mi
Total Area4.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries10
Healthcare Facilities529
Restaurants391
Retail Stores642

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.2 min
Work from Home7.9%

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