Elk River, MN
Census place 2718674 · pop 26,793
Sales & income are statewide.
The breakdown — worst first
U.S. median 36.5% · worse than most cities
38.4% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).
U.S. median 24 min · worse than most cities
27 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.
U.S. median $214,900 · worse than most cities
$370,100 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.
U.S. median $1,756/mo · worse than most cities
$1,892/mo typical rent · Typical monthly rent (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types).
U.S. median 0.99% · worse than most cities
1.16% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.
U.S. median 14.6% · worse than most cities
13.5% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.
U.S. median 24.3% · better than most cities
33.8% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.
U.S. median 90.0% · better than most cities
92.7% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
U.S. median 964/100k · better than most cities
1003 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median 26.5% · better than most cities
22.7% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.
U.S. median 3.6% · better than most cities
3.3% 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 0.43 · better than most cities
Gini 0.41 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).
U.S. median 17.4% · better than most cities
15.6% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).
U.S. median 152/100k · better than most cities
93 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median 9.3% · better than most cities
6.9% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.
U.S. median +2.4% · better than most cities
+9.3% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?
U.S. median 77/100 · better than most cities
64/100 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 $67,857 · better than most cities
$108,741 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.
U.S. median 67.2% · better than most cities
79.2% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.
U.S. median 12.1% · better than most cities
3.4% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.
Not measured for Elk River: Air, Bad air. 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 Elk River, MN a good place to live?
- By the numbers, Elk River scores 61/100 — a C (Meh) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 20 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is poverty rate and its weakest is adult obesity. 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 Elk River, MN?
- Elk River reports 93 violent crimes per 100k and 1003 property crimes per 100k — better than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
- Is Elk River, MN expensive to live in?
- Elk River has a median home value of $370,100 and typical rent around $1,892/mo — pricier than most U.S. cities.
- What's the biggest downside of living in Elk River, MN?
- Its weakest measured area is adult obesity (38.4%) — 28/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
- What is Elk River, MN best at?
- Its strongest measured area is poverty rate (3.4%) — 94/100, 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.