Thief River Falls, MN

Minnesota

Thief River Falls is a small city in Minnesota with a population of 8,841. Residents earn $65,244 per year, which is 13% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
8,841 Population 1,474/sq mi density
$65,244 Median Income $39,007 per capita
$169,300 Home Value $184,400 Zillow
$884 Median Rent
40°F Avg Temperature
252 Violent Crime/100K 3,455 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$65,244 median income, 1.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$169,300 home value, $884/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
252 violent crimes/100K (34% below avg)
C+
Education
2.5 / 5.0
19.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $65,244
13% lower than US avg
Home Value $169,300
40% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 252/100K
34% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.3%
43% lower than US avg
Median Rent $884
24% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.0%
28% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.5%
58% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.5%
40% lower than US avg

How Thief River Falls Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population8,841
Median Age38.9 yrs
Density1,474/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 91%

Economy

A
Median Income$65,244
Per Capita$39,007
Unemployment1.5%
Poverty7.5%
County GDP$2,743M
Commute12 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$169,300
Rent$884
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$184,400

Crime

F
Violent252/100K
Property3,455/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault80/100K
Burglary458/100K

Health

Obesity41.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.4%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp40°F
AQI36 (Good)
Elevation1,119 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.3%
High School+94.5%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 65% / D 33%
Commute12 min
EV Stations2
Libraries1

Is Thief River Falls a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Thief River Falls 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. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Thief River Falls offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Thief River Falls is $65,244, 13% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.5%. Only 7.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 12 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Thief River Falls is $169,300, 40% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $884 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Thief River Falls is below the national average at 252 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,455 per 100,000, 76% above the national average.

Education

19.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.5% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Thief River Falls has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 40°F. Winters average 5°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Thief River Falls has a population of 8,841 with a density of 1,474 people per square mile. The median age is 38.9 years, 0% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.6%), with 2.6% Hispanic, 1.8% Black.

Population

8,841
Total Population
1,474
People / sq mi
38.9yrs
Median Age
0% below US avg
6.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.2%
Female 49.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Thief River Falls vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.1%
20% above US avg
Spanish5.9%
56% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Thief River Falls vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Thief River Falls is $65,244, which is 13% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 7.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 12 minutes.

Income: Thief River Falls vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$65,244
13% below US avg
Per Capita Income$39,007
Avg Weekly Wage$1,076
IRS Avg AGI$66,431

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.5%
58% below US avg
Poverty Rate7.5%
40% below US avg
Establishments (County)418
County GDP$2,743M

Business (County)

Restaurants36
Healthcare43
Retail67
Manufacturing15

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,970
13% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.34%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time11.6 min
Work from Home8.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Thief River Falls is $169,300, 40% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $884 (24% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $184,400.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$169,300
40% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$184,400

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$884
24% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,040

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied62.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,970
13% above US avg
Effective Rate2.34%
In Thief River Falls, 41.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.4% report depression. 24.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Thief River Falls vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.0%
28% above US avg
Diabetes9.6%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure30.1%
Asthma10.7%
COPD5.6%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.7%
Physical Inactivity24.3%
Depression26.4%
Mental Distress17.9%
Physical Distress12.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.2%
Checkup Rate72.4%
Premature Death7,574/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.7/10
Exercise Access68.0%
Healthcare Facilities43
Thief River Falls has a violent crime rate of 252 per 100,000 residents, 34% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,455 per 100,000 (76% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Thief River Falls vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent251.7/100K
34% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape160.2/100K
Robbery11.4/100K
Assault80.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,455.4/100K
76% above US avg
Burglary457.7/100K
Theft2,883.3/100K
Vehicle Theft114.4/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Thief River Falls has an average annual temperature of 40°F (4°C). Winters average 5°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

5°F Jan (-15°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average39.9°F
26% below US avg
January Average5°F (-15°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,119 ft (341 m)
Area6.0 sq mi (15.5 km²)
Population Density1,474/sq mi
Coordinates48.1112°N, 96.1776°W
County FIPS27113
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 19.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (43% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 31.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 64.6%
D 33.1%

Winner: Republican by 31.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.3%
43% below US avg
High School+94.5%
School Test Score6.08
C+ Education Grade (2.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density1,474/sq mi
Total Area6.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities43
Restaurants36
Retail Stores67

Safety & Disasters

F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute11.6 min
Work from Home8.3%

Nearby Cities

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