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The Lakes, MN

Minnesota

The Lakes is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 666. Residents earn $88,929 per year, which is 18% above the national average.

4.1 /5.0
A Great
666 Population 20/sq mi density
$88,929 Median Income $56,246 per capita
$391,900 Home Value
45°F Avg Temperature 276 sunny days/yr
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.8 / 5.0
$88,929 median income, 1.0% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.2 / 5.0
$391,900 home value
B
Education
3.4 / 5.0
30.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $88,929
18% higher than US avg
Home Value $391,900
39% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 30.4%
10% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.7%
11% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.0%
72% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.3%
81% lower than US avg

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

People

Population666
Median Age63.4 yrs
Density20/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 95%
Veterans8.0%

Economy

A+
Median Income$88,929
Per Capita$56,246
Unemployment1.0%
Poverty2.3%
County GDP$721M
Commute33 min

Housing

A
Home Value$391,900
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units813
Rent Burden20.8%

Health

Obesity35.7%
Uninsured7.3%
Smoking14.6%
Depression26.2%
Heart Disease5.1%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F (7°C)
AQI36 (Good)
Rain29.2 in/yr
Sunny Days276/yr
Elevation1,526 ft (465 m)

Education

B
Bachelor's+30.4%
High School+98.8%
Graduate+7.5%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 70% / D 28%
Commute33 min
Broadband88.5%
Libraries2

Is The Lakes a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, The Lakes receives an overall livability score of 4.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. The Lakes stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in The Lakes is $88,929, 18% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.0%. Only 2.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in The Lakes is $391,900, 39% above the national median. A price-to-income ratio of 4.4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

30.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 98.8% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

The Lakes has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°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 29.2 inches, including 49.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

The Lakes has a population of 666 with a density of 20 people per square mile. The median age is 63.4 years, 63% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.6%), with 2% Hispanic.

Population

666
Total Population
20
People / sq mi
63.4yrs
Median Age
63% above US avg
33.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.7%
Female 52.3%

Race & Ethnicity

The Lakes vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.8%
25% above US avg
Spanish2.2%
84% below US avg

Social Characteristics

The Lakes vs U.S. Average

The median household income in The Lakes is $88,929, which is 18% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Income: The Lakes vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$88,929
18% above US avg
Per Capita Income$56,246
Avg Weekly Wage$943
IRS Avg AGI$76,683

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.0%
72% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.3%
81% below US avg
Establishments (County)341
County GDP$721M

Business (County)

Restaurants19
Healthcare16
Retail40
Manufacturing5

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,845
19% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.73%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time33.0 min
Drive Alone72.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home15.3%

Walkability

The median home value in The Lakes is $391,900, 39% above the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$391,900
39% above US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Rent Burden20.8%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied94.4%
Housing Units813
Median Year Built1986

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,845
19% below US avg
Effective Rate0.73%
In The Lakes, 35.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.3% of residents lack health insurance. 14.6% are current smokers. 26.2% report depression. 22.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: The Lakes vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.7%
11% above US avg
Diabetes8.3%
Heart Disease5.1%
High Blood Pressure27.4%
Asthma10.1%
COPD5.0%
Cancer7.5%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking14.6%
4% above US avg
Binge Drinking20.9%
Physical Inactivity22.3%
Depression26.2%
Mental Distress16.8%
Physical Distress11.1%
Short Sleep31.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.6%
Uninsured7.3%
15% below US avg
Checkup Rate71.1%
Dental Visits67.2%
Premature Death5,092/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.1/10
Exercise Access56.7%
Healthcare Facilities16
The Lakes has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 29.2 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 Average44.6°F
17% below US avg
January Average14°F (-10°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days276 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall29.2 inches
23% below US avg
Snowfall49.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,526 ft (465 m)
Area33.7 sq mi (87.3 km²)
Population Density20/sq mi
Coordinates44.1049°N, 95.6702°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS27101
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 30.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (10% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 42.4-point margin. 88.5% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 70.4%
D 28%

Winner: Republican by 42.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+30.4%
10% below US avg
High School+98.8%
Graduate Degree+7.5%
School Test Score6.08
B Education Grade (3.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density20/sq mi
Total Area33.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access88.5%
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities16
Restaurants19
Retail Stores40

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute33.0 min
Drive Alone72.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home15.3%

Nearby Cities

Slayton, MN 2,089 pop · 9.1 mi Tracy, MN 1,869 pop · 9.7 mi Fulda, MN 1,348 pop · 16.7 mi Marshall, MN 13,880 pop · 24.5 mi Tyler, MN 1,019 pop · 26.0 mi Edgerton, MN 1,207 pop · 27.8 mi Windom, MN 4,786 pop · 31.7 mi Pipestone, MN 4,165 pop · 32.7 mi Worthington, MN 13,792 pop · 33.1 mi Cottonwood, MN 1,120 pop · 35.0 mi Adrian, MN 1,288 pop · 35.1 mi Minneota, MN 1,531 pop · 35.2 mi Springfield, MN 2,209 pop · 35.3 mi Mountain Lake, MN 1,833 pop · 38.6 mi
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