Vernon Center, MN

Minnesota

Vernon Center is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 326. Residents earn $68,750 per year, which is 9% below the national average.

4.0 /5.0
A Great
326 Population 665/sq mi density
$68,750 Median Income $35,844 per capita
$130,400 Home Value $233,562 Zillow
$967 Median Rent 15.0% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$68,750 median income, 0.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$130,400 home value, $967/mo rent
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
20.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $68,750
9% lower than US avg
Home Value $130,400
54% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 20.1%
40% lower than US avg
Median Rent $967
17% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.6%
11% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.8%
78% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.1%
83% lower than US avg

How Vernon Center Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population326
Median Age40.5 yrs
Density665/mi²
Male / Female54% / 46%
Largest GroupWhite 97%
Veterans4.7%

Economy

A
Median Income$68,750
Per Capita$35,844
Unemployment0.8%
Poverty2.1%
County GDP$611M
Commute27 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$130,400
Rent$967
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$233,562
Housing Units146
Rent Burden15.0%

Health

Obesity35.6%
Uninsured7.9%
Smoking15.5%
Depression27.2%
Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F (8°C)
AQI36 (Good)
Rain32.8 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation1,024 ft (312 m)

Education

C+
Bachelor's+20.1%
High School+93.2%
Graduate+9.9%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 63% / D 35%
Commute27 min
Broadband92.8%
Libraries5

Is Vernon Center a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Vernon Center receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Vernon Center stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Vernon Center is $68,750, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.8%. Only 2.1% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Vernon Center is $130,400, 54% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $967 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

20.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.2% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Vernon Center experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 32.8 inches, including 46.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Vernon Center has a population of 326 with a density of 665 people per square mile. The median age is 40.5 years, 4% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.6%).

Population

326
Total Population
665
People / sq mi
40.5yrs
Median Age
4% above US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 54.3%
Female 45.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Vernon Center vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.5%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.5%
89% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Vernon Center vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Vernon Center is $68,750, which is 9% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Vernon Center vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$68,750
9% below US avg
Per Capita Income$35,844
Avg Weekly Wage$929
IRS Avg AGI$64,714

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.8%
78% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.1%
83% below US avg
Establishments (County)343
County GDP$611M

Business (County)

Restaurants19
Healthcare26
Retail40
Manufacturing16

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,808
20% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.15%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.1 min
Drive Alone76.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home6.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Vernon Center is $130,400, 54% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $967 (17% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $233,562.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$130,400
54% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$233,562

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$967
17% below US avg
Rent Burden15.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied84.8%
Housing Units146
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,808
20% below US avg
Effective Rate2.15%
In Vernon Center, 35.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.9% of residents lack health insurance. 15.5% are current smokers. 27.2% report depression. 23.1% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Vernon Center vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.6%
11% above US avg
Diabetes9.1%
Heart Disease5.3%
High Blood Pressure29.2%
Asthma10.7%
COPD5.3%
Cancer7.2%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking15.5%
11% above US avg
Binge Drinking20.0%
Physical Inactivity23.1%
Depression27.2%
Mental Distress17.7%
Physical Distress11.4%
Short Sleep29.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.8%
Uninsured7.9%
8% below US avg
Checkup Rate73.0%
Dental Visits66.6%
Premature Death6,012/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.0/10
Exercise Access71.4%
Healthcare Facilities26
Vernon Center has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 32.8 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average47.2°F
13% below US avg
January Average17°F (-8°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall32.8 inches
14% below US avg
Snowfall46.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,024 ft (312 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
Population Density665/sq mi
Coordinates43.9624°N, 94.1669°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS27165
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 20.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (40% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 27.8-point margin. 92.8% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 62.9%
D 35.1%

Winner: Republican by 27.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+20.1%
40% below US avg
High School+93.2%
Graduate Degree+9.9%
School Test Score6.08
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density665/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access92.8%
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities26
Restaurants19
Retail Stores40

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.1 min
Drive Alone76.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home6.5%

Nearby Cities

Lake Crystal, MN 2,530 pop · 10.2 mi Mapleton, MN 1,745 pop · 10.8 mi Winnebago, MN 1,247 pop · 13.6 mi Madelia, MN 2,380 pop · 13.9 mi Truman, MN 1,223 pop · 16.3 mi North Mankato, MN 14,212 pop · 16.5 mi Mankato, MN 44,882 pop · 17.2 mi St. James, MO 3,922 pop · 19.5 mi Eagle Lake, MN 3,268 pop · 19.8 mi Blue Earth, MN 3,170 pop · 22.5 mi St. James, MN 4,740 pop · 22.8 mi Madison Lake, MN 1,178 pop · 24.3 mi Janesville, MN 2,449 pop · 25.2 mi Wells, MN 2,317 pop · 26.4 mi
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