Sleepy Eye, MN

Minnesota

Sleepy Eye is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 3,438. Residents earn $64,811 per year, which is 14% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
3,438 Population 1,839/sq mi density
$64,811 Median Income $37,186 per capita
$138,500 Home Value $164,435 Zillow
$757 Median Rent
44°F Avg Temperature
144 Violent Crime/100K 86 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$64,811 median income, 1.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$138,500 home value, $757/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
144 violent crimes/100K (62% below avg)
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $64,811
14% lower than US avg
Home Value $138,500
51% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 144/100K
62% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.0%
38% lower than US avg
Median Rent $757
35% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.5%
17% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.8%
50% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.3%
49% lower than US avg

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

People

Population3,438
Median Age41.7 yrs
Density1,839/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 89%

Economy

A
Median Income$64,811
Per Capita$37,186
Unemployment1.8%
Poverty6.3%
County GDP$2,006M
Commute15 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$138,500
Rent$757
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$164,435

Crime

F
Violent144/100K
Property86/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault144/100K
Burglary29/100K

Health

Obesity37.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.7%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp44°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain29.6 in/yr
Elevation1,034 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.0%
High School+94.1%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 67% / D 32%
Commute15 min
Libraries5

Is Sleepy Eye a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Sleepy Eye 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. Sleepy Eye offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Sleepy Eye is $64,811, 14% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.8%. Only 6.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Sleepy Eye is $138,500, 51% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $757 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Sleepy Eye is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 144 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 86 per 100,000, 96% below the national average.

Education

21.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.1% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Sleepy Eye has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F. Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 29.6 inches, including 42.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Sleepy Eye has a population of 3,438 with a density of 1,839 people per square mile. The median age is 41.7 years, 7% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (89%).

Population

3,438
Total Population
1,839
People / sq mi
41.7yrs
Median Age
7% above US avg
1.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.2%
Female 49.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Sleepy Eye vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only87.1%
11% above US avg
Spanish12.9%
4% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Sleepy Eye vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Sleepy Eye is $64,811, which is 14% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 6.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes.

Income: Sleepy Eye vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$64,811
14% below US avg
Per Capita Income$37,186
Avg Weekly Wage$1,066
IRS Avg AGI$77,300

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.8%
50% below US avg
Poverty Rate6.3%
49% below US avg
Establishments (County)902
County GDP$2,006M

Business (County)

Restaurants66
Healthcare93
Retail103
Manufacturing40

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,718
6% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.68%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time15.1 min
Work from Home5.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Sleepy Eye is $138,500, 51% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $757 (35% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $164,435.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$138,500
51% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$164,435

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$757
35% 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-Occupied82.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,718
6% above US avg
Effective Rate2.68%
In Sleepy Eye, 37.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.7% report depression. 25.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Sleepy Eye vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.5%
17% above US avg
Diabetes9.7%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure29.1%
Asthma10.1%
COPD5.6%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.9%
Physical Inactivity25.3%
Depression24.7%
Mental Distress17.1%
Physical Distress12.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.2%
Checkup Rate73.1%
Premature Death4,833/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.1/10
Exercise Access82.4%
Healthcare Facilities93
Sleepy Eye has a violent crime rate of 144 per 100,000 residents, 62% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 86 per 100,000 (96% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent143.6/100K
62% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault143.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property86.2/100K
96% below US avg
Burglary28.7/100K
Theft28.7/100K
Vehicle Theft28.7/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Sleepy Eye has an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 29.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

14°F Jan (-10°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average44.4°F
18% below US avg
January Average14°F (-10°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall29.6 inches
22% below US avg
Snowfall42.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,034 ft (315 m)
Area1.9 sq mi (4.8 km²)
Population Density1,839/sq mi
Coordinates44.2989°N, 94.7236°W
County FIPS27015
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 21.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (38% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 35.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 66.7%
D 31.5%

Winner: Republican by 35.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.0%
38% below US avg
High School+94.1%
School Test Score6.08
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density1,839/sq mi
Total Area1.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities93
Restaurants66
Retail Stores103

Safety & Disasters

F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute15.1 min
Work from Home5.0%

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