South St. Paul, MN

Minnesota · Metropolitan Area

South St. Paul is a small city in Minnesota with a population of 20,633. Residents earn $84,472 per year, which is 12% above the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
20,633 Population 3,665/sq mi density
$84,472 Median Income $37,925 per capita
$266,800 Home Value
$1,128 Median Rent
47°F Avg Temperature
385 Violent Crime/100K 2,356 property/100K
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$84,472 median income, 4.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$266,800 home value, $1,128/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
385 violent crimes/100K (1% above avg)
B
Education
3.5 / 5.0
30.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $84,472
12% higher than US avg
Home Value $266,800
5% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 385/100K
1% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 30.7%
9% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,128
3% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.6%
14% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.1%
14% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.0%
60% lower than US avg

How South St. Paul Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population20,633
Median Age37.3 yrs
Density3,665/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 75%

Economy

A
Median Income$84,472
Per Capita$37,925
Unemployment4.1%
Poverty5.0%
County GDP$37,138M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$266,800
Rent$1,128
OwnershipN/A

Crime

F
Violent385/100K
Property2,356/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault258/100K
Burglary502/100K

Health

Obesity36.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.8%
Heart Disease4.9%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain29.2 in/yr
Elevation827 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+30.7%
High School+93.4%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 43% / D 55%
Commute22 min
Libraries10

Is South St. Paul a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, South St. Paul receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. South St. Paul offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in South St. Paul is $84,472, 12% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. Unemployment stands at 4.1%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 5.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in South St. Paul is $266,800, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,128 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 3.2x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 385 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,356 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

30.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.4% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

South St. Paul experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 29.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

South St. Paul has a population of 20,633 with a density of 3,665 people per square mile. The median age is 37.3 years, 4% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (75.1%), with 2.9% Hispanic, 4.6% Black.

Population

20,633
Total Population
3,665
People / sq mi
37.3yrs
Median Age
4% below US avg
5.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.8%
Female 51.2%

Race & Ethnicity

South St. Paul vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only85.7%
9% above US avg
Spanish14.3%
7% above US avg

Social Characteristics

South St. Paul vs U.S. Average

The median household income in South St. Paul is $84,472, which is 12% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 5.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: South St. Paul vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$84,472
12% above US avg
Per Capita Income$37,925
Avg Weekly Wage$1,400
IRS Avg AGI$96,679

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.1%
14% above US avg
Poverty Rate5.0%
60% below US avg
Establishments (County)11,950
County GDP$37,138M

Business (County)

Restaurants748
Healthcare1,340
Retail1,196
Manufacturing400

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,014
43% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.88%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.6 min
Work from Home12.0%

Walkability

The median home value in South St. Paul is $266,800, 5% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,128 (3% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$266,800
5% below US avg
Median List Price$295,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$295,000
$/Sq Ft$178
Homes Sold10
Sale-to-List Ratio100.1%
Price Drops19.2%
Inventory26

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,128
3% 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-Occupied72.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,014
43% above US avg
Effective Rate1.88%
In South St. Paul, 36.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.8% report depression. 25.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: South St. Paul vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.6%
14% above US avg
Diabetes9.3%
Heart Disease4.9%
High Blood Pressure28.1%
Asthma10.4%
COPD4.9%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.4%
Physical Inactivity25.4%
Depression24.8%
Mental Distress16.3%
Physical Distress11.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.4%
Checkup Rate72.9%
Premature Death5,146/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.5/10
Exercise Access96.9%
Healthcare Facilities1,340
South St. Paul has a violent crime rate of 385 per 100,000 residents, 1% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,356 per 100,000 (20% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: South St. Paul vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent385.3/100K
1% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape58.5/100K
Robbery68.3/100K
Assault258.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,355.6/100K
20% above US avg
Burglary502.3/100K
Theft1,633.8/100K
Vehicle Theft219.5/100K
Arson131.7/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)24

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
South St. Paul has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 29.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

16°F Jan (-9°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average46.5°F
14% below US avg
January Average16°F (-9°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall29.2 inches
23% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation827 ft (252 m)
Area5.6 sq mi (14.6 km²)
Population Density3,665/sq mi
Coordinates44.8880°N, 93.0405°W
County FIPS27037
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 30.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (9% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 12.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 42.5%
D 55.4%

Winner: Democrat by 12.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+30.7%
9% below US avg
High School+93.4%
School Test Score6.08
B Education Grade (3.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density3,665/sq mi
Total Area5.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries10
Healthcare Facilities1,340
Restaurants748
Retail Stores1,196

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)24
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.6 min
Work from Home12.0%

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