Watkins, MN

Minnesota

Watkins is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 797. Residents earn $50,875 per year, which is 32% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
797 Population 1,155/sq mi density
$50,875 Median Income $27,967 per capita
$136,800 Home Value $304,551 Zillow
$760 Median Rent 30.8% income on rent
43°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$50,875 median income, 3.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$136,800 home value, $760/mo rent
D
Education
1.5 / 5.0
6.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $50,875
32% lower than US avg
Home Value $136,800
51% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 6.7%
80% lower than US avg
Median Rent $760
35% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.7%
14% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.0%
17% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.7%
70% lower than US avg

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

People

Population797
Median Age40.3 yrs
Density1,155/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 95%
Veterans6.6%

Economy

B+
Median Income$50,875
Per Capita$27,967
Unemployment3.0%
Poverty3.7%
County GDP$1,586M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$136,800
Rent$760
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$304,551
Rent Burden30.8%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity36.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.8%
Heart Disease5.1%

Climate

Avg Temp43°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain30.8 in/yr
Elevation1,165 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+6.7%
High School+87.9%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 71% / D 28%
Commute22 min
Broadband81.8%
Libraries4

Is Watkins a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Watkins receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Watkins offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Watkins is $50,875, 32% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.0%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 3.7% 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 Watkins is $136,800, 51% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $760 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

6.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.9% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Watkins has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F. Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 30.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Watkins has a population of 797 with a density of 1,155 people per square mile. The median age is 40.3 years, 4% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.7%), with 5.1% Hispanic.

Population

797
Total Population
1,155
People / sq mi
40.3yrs
Median Age
4% above US avg
0.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.9%
Female 52.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Watkins vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only91.5%
17% above US avg
Spanish8.5%
37% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Watkins vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Watkins is $50,875, which is 32% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Watkins vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$50,875
32% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,967
Avg Weekly Wage$1,036
IRS Avg AGI$75,478

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.0%
17% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.7%
70% below US avg
Establishments (County)708
County GDP$1,586M

Business (County)

Restaurants34
Healthcare60
Retail68
Manufacturing52

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,973
14% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.90%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.2 min
Drive Alone77.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home6.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Watkins is $136,800, 51% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $760 (35% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $304,551.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$136,800
51% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$304,551

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$760
35% below US avg
Rent Burden30.8%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied64.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,973
14% above US avg
Effective Rate2.90%
In Watkins, 36.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.8% report depression. 23.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Watkins vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.7%
14% above US avg
Diabetes9.1%
Heart Disease5.1%
High Blood Pressure27.5%
Asthma10.3%
COPD5.3%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.7%
Physical Inactivity23.6%
Depression25.8%
Mental Distress17.3%
Physical Distress11.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate99.2%
Checkup Rate72.3%
Premature Death5,812/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.7/10
Exercise Access40.3%
Healthcare Facilities60

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Watkins has an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation is 30.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

11°F Jan (-12°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average42.5°F
21% below US avg
January Average11°F (-12°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall30.8 inches
19% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,165 ft (355 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²)
Population Density1,155/sq mi
Coordinates45.3158°N, 94.4120°W
County FIPS27093
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 6.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (80% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 42.8-point margin. 81.8% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 70.7%
D 27.9%

Winner: Republican by 42.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+6.7%
80% below US avg
High School+87.9%
School Test Score6.08
D Education Grade (1.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density1,155/sq mi
Total Area0.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access81.8%
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities60
Restaurants34
Retail Stores68

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.2 min
Drive Alone77.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home6.9%

Nearby Cities

Compare Watkins with another city: