Sauk Rapids, MN

Minnesota · Metropolitan Area

Sauk Rapids is a small city in Minnesota with a population of 13,851. Residents earn $67,004 per year, which is 11% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
13,851 Population 2,202/sq mi density
$67,004 Median Income $37,016 per capita
$240,200 Home Value $295,669 Zillow
$941 Median Rent
43°F Avg Temperature
82 Violent Crime/100K 1,868 property/100K
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$67,004 median income, 1.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.7 / 5.0
$240,200 home value, $941/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
82 violent crimes/100K (78% below avg)
B
Education
3.2 / 5.0
28.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $67,004
11% lower than US avg
Home Value $240,200
15% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 82/100K
78% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 28.0%
17% lower than US avg
Median Rent $941
19% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.3%
26% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.9%
47% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.0%
76% lower than US avg

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

People

Population13,851
Median Age36.0 yrs
Density2,202/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 90%

Economy

A
Median Income$67,004
Per Capita$37,016
Unemployment1.9%
Poverty3.0%
County GDP$2,398M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$240,200
Rent$941
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$295,669

Crime

F
Violent82/100K
Property1,868/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault37/100K
Burglary299/100K

Health

Obesity40.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.3%
Heart Disease5.1%

Climate

Avg Temp43°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain28.5 in/yr
Elevation1,078 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+28.0%
High School+94.2%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 67% / D 31%
Commute20 min
Libraries1

Is Sauk Rapids a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Sauk Rapids receives an overall livability score of 3.3 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 high obesity rates. Sauk Rapids offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Sauk Rapids is $67,004, 11% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.9%. Only 3.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Sauk Rapids is $240,200, 15% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $941 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.6x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Sauk Rapids is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 82 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,868 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

28.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.2% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Sauk Rapids has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F. Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 28.5 inches, including 47.9 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Sauk Rapids has a population of 13,851 with a density of 2,202 people per square mile. The median age is 36.0 years, 7% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (89.5%), with 3.2% Hispanic.

Population

13,851
Total Population
2,202
People / sq mi
36.0yrs
Median Age
7% below US avg
6.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.6%
Female 52.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Sauk Rapids vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.4%
20% above US avg
Spanish5.6%
58% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Sauk Rapids vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Sauk Rapids is $67,004, which is 11% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Sauk Rapids vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$67,004
11% below US avg
Per Capita Income$37,016
Avg Weekly Wage$1,076
IRS Avg AGI$69,499

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.9%
47% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.0%
76% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,063
County GDP$2,398M

Business (County)

Restaurants56
Healthcare119
Retail117
Manufacturing68

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,076
16% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.70%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.2 min
Work from Home7.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Sauk Rapids is $240,200, 15% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $941 (19% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $295,669.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$240,200
15% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$295,669
Median List Price$314,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$314,900
$/Sq Ft$140
Homes Sold6
Sale-to-List Ratio98.6%
Price Drops8.7%
Inventory23

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$941
19% 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-Occupied62.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,076
16% above US avg
Effective Rate1.70%
In Sauk Rapids, 40.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.3% report depression. 22.4% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.3%
26% above US avg
Diabetes9.0%
Heart Disease5.1%
High Blood Pressure28.0%
Asthma10.4%
COPD5.3%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.1%
Physical Inactivity22.4%
Depression26.3%
Mental Distress17.1%
Physical Distress11.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.2%
Checkup Rate73.2%
Premature Death6,370/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access65.1%
Healthcare Facilities119
Sauk Rapids has a violent crime rate of 82 per 100,000 residents, 78% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,868 per 100,000 (5% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent82.2/100K
78% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape22.4/100K
Robbery22.4/100K
Assault37.4/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,868.2/100K
5% below US avg
Burglary298.9/100K
Theft1,472.1/100K
Vehicle Theft97.2/100K
Arson15.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Sauk Rapids has an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation is 28.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

12°F Jan (-11°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average42.9°F
21% below US avg
January Average12°F (-11°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall28.5 inches
25% below US avg
Snowfall47.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,078 ft (329 m)
Area6.3 sq mi (16.3 km²)
Population Density2,202/sq mi
Coordinates45.5947°N, 94.1527°W
County FIPS27009
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 28.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (17% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 35.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 67%
D 31.1%

Winner: Republican by 35.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+28.0%
17% below US avg
High School+94.2%
School Test Score6.08
B Education Grade (3.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density2,202/sq mi
Total Area6.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations7
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities119
Restaurants56
Retail Stores117

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.2 min
Work from Home7.4%

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