Detroit Lakes, MN
Census place 2715832 · pop 10,025
Sales & income are statewide.
The breakdown — worst first
U.S. median 0.43 · worse than most cities
Gini 0.55 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).
U.S. median 3.6% · worse than most cities
4.3% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 12.1% · worse than most cities
16.6% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.
U.S. median 67.2% · worse than most cities
56.1% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.
U.S. median 14.6% · worse than most cities
15.1% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.
U.S. median $67,857 · worse than most cities
$62,958 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.
U.S. median 36.5% · worse than most cities
36.7% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).
U.S. median 964/100k · worse than most cities
1555 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median 26.5% · worse than most cities
25.6% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.
U.S. median 1 days · better than most cities
2 unhealthy-air days per year · Days per year with unhealthy air (AQI above 100). Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 90.0% · better than most cities
91.8% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
U.S. median $214,900 · better than most cities
$265,800 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.
U.S. median 24.3% · better than most cities
32.8% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.
U.S. median 152/100k · better than most cities
171 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median 0.99% · better than most cities
0.89% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.
U.S. median 9.3% · better than most cities
8.2% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.
U.S. median 17.4% · better than most cities
15.9% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).
U.S. median +2.4% · better than most cities
+9.0% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?
U.S. median 42 AQI · better than most cities
36 median AQI · Median air quality index — lower is cleaner air. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 77/100 · better than most cities
34/100 FEMA risk (higher = riskier) · FEMA National Risk Index — wildfire, flood, earthquake, heat and more. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 24 min · better than most cities
14 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.
Not measured for Detroit Lakes: Rent. Not every public source covers every city — EPA air monitors and Zillow rent only reach some places, and national crime data is still being added.
Frequently asked
- Is Detroit Lakes, MN a good place to live?
- By the numbers, Detroit Lakes scores 52/100 — a D (Meh) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 21 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is commute time and its weakest is income inequality. Minnesota overall ranks #5 of 50 states. Whether it's "good" depends on what you value — re-weight the factors to score it your way.
- How safe is Detroit Lakes, MN?
- Detroit Lakes reports 171 violent crimes per 100k and 1555 property crimes per 100k — better than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
- Is Detroit Lakes, MN expensive to live in?
- Detroit Lakes has a median home value of $265,800 — more affordable than most U.S. cities.
- What's the biggest downside of living in Detroit Lakes, MN?
- Its weakest measured area is income inequality (0.55) — 2/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
- What is Detroit Lakes, MN best at?
- Its strongest measured area is commute time (14 min) — 97/100, better than most U.S. cities.
Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.