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Willow River, MN

Full City Profile · Minnesota · Pine County County

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
351 Population 197/sq mi density
$52,188 Median Income $31,164 per capita
$197,700 Home Value $247,236 Zillow
$758 Median Rent 24.2% income on rent
41°F Avg Temperature 249 sunny days/yr
608 Violent Crime/100K 3,220 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$52,188 median income, 5.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.5 / 5.0
$197,700 home value, $758/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
608 violent crimes/100K (60% above avg)
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
9.2% bachelor's degree or higher

Willow River, MN

At a Glance

Median Income
$52,188
31% below
$31,164 per capita
Home Value
$197,700
30% below
Zillow: $247,236
Median Rent
$758/mo
35% below
24.2% of income on rent
Violent Crime
608/100K
60% above
3,220/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
9.2%
73% below
97.2% high school+
Unemployment
5.4%
50% above
6.5% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
37.9%
18% above
17.1% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
41°F
249 sunny days/yr

How Willow River Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Willow River's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
69%
Home Value
70%
Rent
65%
Poverty
52%
Bachelor's
27%
Unemployment
150%
Crime
160%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Willow River a Good Place to Live?

C+
2.7 / 5.0 — Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Willow River residents earn a median household income of $52,188 , which is 31% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $31,164. The unemployment rate stands at 5.4% (50% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 6.5% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 733 business establishments, including 76 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Willow River is $197,700 , 30% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $247,236. Median rent is $758/month, with 24.2% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 98.6 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1987.

Safety & Crime

Willow River reports 608 violent crimes per 100,000 residents , which is 60% above the national average of 380/100K. Property crime is 3,220/100K.

Education

9.2% of adults in Willow River hold a bachelor's degree or higher (73% below the national average). 97.2% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.4/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Willow River has an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 10°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. The area gets 249 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 31.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Data Overview

People

Population351
Median Age37.3 yrs
Density197/mi²
Male / Female56% / 44%
Foreign Born13.6%
Veterans11.4%

Economy

B+
Median Income$52,188
Per Capita$31,164
Unemployment5.4%
Poverty6.5%
County GDP$995M
Avg Weekly Wage$851

Housing

A+
Home Value$197,700
Rent$758
Ownership65.8%
Zillow$247,236
Housing Units186
Rent Burden24.2%

Crime

F
Violent608/100K
Property3,220/100K

Health

Obesity37.9%
Diabetes9.0%
Smoking17.1%
Heart Disease5.3%
Premature Death8,534/100K

Climate

Avg Temp41°F
Sunny Days249/yr
Rain31.5 in/yr
AQI36 (Good)
Elevation1,050 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+9.2%
High School+97.2%
Graduate+1.5%
School Score5.4/10

Community

2024 VoteR 67% / D 32%
Commute41 min
Broadband85.4%
Internet Speed39 Mbps
EV Stations1
Libraries3

Did You Know?

Willow River was founded in 1891.
The median home in Willow River was built in 1987.
The nearest airport is Duluth International (47 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.415 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
14.9% of the population has a disability.
13.6% of residents are foreign-born.
The county recorded 7 fatal vehicle crashes.