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Wood Lake, MN

Minnesota

Wood Lake is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 398. Residents earn $68,958 per year, which is 8% below the national average.

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
398 Population 531/sq mi density
$68,958 Median Income $33,407 per capita
$85,000 Home Value $166,943 Zillow
$650 Median Rent 35.0% income on rent
45°F Avg Temperature 276 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$68,958 median income, 0.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$85,000 home value, $650/mo rent
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $68,958
8% lower than US avg
Home Value $85,000
70% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.0%
53% lower than US avg
Median Rent $650
44% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.0%
18% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.9%
75% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.0%
92% lower than US avg

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

People

Population398
Median Age46.5 yrs
Density531/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 88%
Veterans13.3%

Economy

A
Median Income$68,958
Per Capita$33,407
Unemployment0.9%
Poverty1.0%
County GDP$784M
Commute28 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$85,000
Rent$650
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$166,943
Housing Units164
Rent Burden35.0%

Health

Obesity38.0%
Uninsured8.8%
Smoking15.9%
Depression26.0%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F (7°C)
AQI36 (Good)
Rain28.6 in/yr
Sunny Days276/yr
Elevation1,052 ft (321 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.0%
High School+92.4%
Graduate+3.3%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 29%
Commute28 min
Broadband86.2%
Libraries3

Is Wood Lake a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Wood Lake receives an overall livability score of 3.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Wood Lake offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Wood Lake is $68,958, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.9%. Only 1.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Wood Lake is $85,000, 70% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $650 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

16.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.4% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Wood Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. With 276 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 28.6 inches, including 51.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Wood Lake has a population of 398 with a density of 531 people per square mile. The median age is 46.5 years, 20% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88.4%), with 4.3% Hispanic.

Population

398
Total Population
531
People / sq mi
46.5yrs
Median Age
20% above US avg
0.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47%
Female 53%

Race & Ethnicity

Wood Lake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.5%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.5%
66% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Wood Lake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Wood Lake is $68,958, which is 8% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Wood Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$68,958
8% below US avg
Per Capita Income$33,407
Avg Weekly Wage$954
IRS Avg AGI$74,153

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.9%
75% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.0%
92% below US avg
Establishments (County)388
County GDP$784M

Business (County)

Restaurants24
Healthcare31
Retail46
Manufacturing17

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,238
7% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.81%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.6 min
Drive Alone76.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Wood Lake is $85,000, 70% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $650 (44% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $166,943.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$85,000
70% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$166,943

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$650
44% below US avg
Rent Burden35.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied86.7%
Housing Units164
Median Year Built1943

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,238
7% below US avg
Effective Rate3.81%
In Wood Lake, 38.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 8.8% of residents lack health insurance. 15.9% are current smokers. 26.0% report depression. 24.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Wood Lake vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.0%
18% above US avg
Diabetes9.2%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure28.5%
Asthma10.3%
COPD5.4%
Cancer7.2%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking15.9%
14% above US avg
Binge Drinking20.6%
Physical Inactivity24.4%
Depression26.0%
Mental Distress17.4%
Physical Distress11.8%
Short Sleep33.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.7%
Uninsured8.8%
2% above US avg
Checkup Rate71.9%
Dental Visits61.2%
Premature Death8,670/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access45.1%
Healthcare Facilities31
Wood Lake has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 28.6 inches. The area enjoys 276 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

13°F Jan (-10°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average44.7°F
17% below US avg
January Average13°F (-10°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days276 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall28.6 inches
25% below US avg
Snowfall51.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,052 ft (321 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (1.9 km²)
Population Density531/sq mi
Coordinates44.6513°N, 95.5358°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS27173
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 16.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (53% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 40.6-point margin. 86.2% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 69.3%
D 28.7%

Winner: Republican by 40.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.0%
53% below US avg
High School+92.4%
Graduate Degree+3.3%
School Test Score6.08
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density531/sq mi
Total Area0.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access86.2%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities31
Restaurants24
Retail Stores46

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.6 min
Drive Alone76.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.1%

Nearby Cities

Cottonwood, MN 1,120 pop · 7.2 mi Granite Falls, MN 2,612 pop · 10.8 mi Marshall, MN 13,880 pop · 18.7 mi Renville, MN 1,397 pop · 18.9 mi Montevideo, MN 5,303 pop · 22.4 mi Redwood Falls, MN 5,075 pop · 22.5 mi Clara City, MN 1,497 pop · 22.7 mi Minneota, MN 1,531 pop · 22.8 mi Olivia, MN 2,243 pop · 27.8 mi Tracy, MN 1,869 pop · 28.7 mi Dawson, MN 1,441 pop · 31.7 mi Canby, MN 1,563 pop · 36.3 mi Tyler, MN 1,019 pop · 39.3 mi Springfield, MN 2,209 pop · 39.6 mi
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