West Union, MN

Minnesota

West Union is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 85. Residents earn $56,875 per year, which is 24% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
85 Population 193/sq mi density
$56,875 Median Income $27,009 per capita
$100,000 Home Value
$1,313 Median Rent 51.0% income on rent
43°F Avg Temperature 276 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$56,875 median income, 5.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$100,000 home value, $1,313/mo rent
F
Education
1.4 / 5.0
5.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $56,875
24% lower than US avg
Home Value $100,000
65% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 5.1%
85% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,313
13% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.6%
20% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.8%
61% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 20.0%
61% higher than US avg

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

People

Population85
Median Age36.5 yrs
Density193/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 100%
Veterans69.0%

Economy

C+
Median Income$56,875
Per Capita$27,009
Unemployment5.8%
Poverty20.0%
County GDP$2,860M
Commute21 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$100,000
Rent$1,313
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units37
Rent Burden51.0%

Health

Obesity38.6%
Uninsured9.3%
Smoking19.5%
Depression28.7%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp43°F (6°C)
AQI36 (Good)
Rain24.1 in/yr
Sunny Days276/yr
Elevation1,340 ft (408 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+5.1%
High School+100.0%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 67% / D 32%
Commute21 min
Broadband39.0%
Libraries1

Is West Union a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, West Union receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. West Union offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in West Union is $56,875, 24% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.8% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 20.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in West Union is $100,000, 65% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,313 per month. At just 1.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

5.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 100.0% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

West Union has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F. Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. With 276 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 24.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

West Union has a population of 85 with a density of 193 people per square mile. The median age is 36.5 years, 6% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (100%).

Population

85
Total Population
193
People / sq mi
36.5yrs
Median Age
6% below US avg
0.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.2%
Female 51.8%

Race & Ethnicity

West Union vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

West Union vs U.S. Average

The median household income in West Union is $56,875, which is 24% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 20.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: West Union vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$56,875
24% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,009
Avg Weekly Wage$1,097
IRS Avg AGI$83,113

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.8%
61% above US avg
Poverty Rate20.0%
61% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,499
County GDP$2,860M

Business (County)

Restaurants124
Healthcare155
Retail216
Manufacturing87

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,084
45% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.08%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.3 min
Drive Alone75.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home11.1%

Walkability

The median home value in West Union is $100,000, 65% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,313 (13% above US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$100,000
65% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,313
13% above US avg
Rent Burden51.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied82.1%
Housing Units37
Median Year Built1948

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,084
45% above US avg
Effective Rate5.08%
In West Union, 38.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 9.3% of residents lack health insurance. 19.5% are current smokers. 28.7% report depression. 25.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: West Union vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.6%
20% above US avg
Diabetes9.0%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure27.9%
Asthma11.7%
COPD6.4%
Cancer6.4%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking19.5%
39% above US avg
Binge Drinking18.0%
Physical Inactivity25.6%
Depression28.7%
Mental Distress19.9%
Physical Distress13.2%
Short Sleep31.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.5%
Uninsured9.3%
8% above US avg
Checkup Rate67.6%
Dental Visits57.2%
Premature Death6,113/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access74.7%
Healthcare Facilities155
West Union has an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 24.1 inches. The area enjoys 276 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

11°F Jan (-12°C) 71°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average42.5°F
21% below US avg
January Average11°F (-12°C)
July Average71°F (21°C)
Sunny Days276 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall24.1 inches
37% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,340 ft (408 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (1.1 km²)
Population Density193/sq mi
Coordinates45.8044°N, 95.0825°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS27041
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 5.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (85% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 35.1-point margin. 39.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 66.9%
D 31.7%

Winner: Republican by 35.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+5.1%
85% below US avg
High School+100.0%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score6.08
F Education Grade (1.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density193/sq mi
Total Area0.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access39.0%
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities155
Restaurants124
Retail Stores216

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.3 min
Drive Alone75.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home11.1%

Nearby Cities

Osakis, MN 1,667 pop · 5.4 mi Sauk Centre, MN 4,589 pop · 7.8 mi Alexandria, MN 14,579 pop · 15.0 mi Melrose, MN 3,608 pop · 15.6 mi Long Prairie, MN 3,683 pop · 15.9 mi Glenwood, MN 2,648 pop · 17.6 mi Starbuck, MN 1,307 pop · 25.5 mi Parkers Prairie, MN 1,089 pop · 26.8 mi Albany, MN 2,800 pop · 27.9 mi Avon, MN 1,493 pop · 33.6 mi Paynesville, MN 2,476 pop · 34.2 mi New London, MN 1,156 pop · 35.7 mi Richmond, MN 1,336 pop · 36.6 mi St. John's University, MN 1,615 pop · 36.8 mi
Compare West Union with another city: