City profile · Minnesota · Census ACS 2023

Austin, MN

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Austin - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

26,167
Residents
$66,488
Median income
$155,100
Median home
$1,049
Median rent (state)

Austin - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Austin lands in the 45th percentile for household income and the 37th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

45th
percentile, household income
28th
percentile, home value
24th
percentile, median rent
37th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Austin, MN

26,167 people live in Austin, Minnesota - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Austin households earn a median of $66,488 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 9.7%. Home values in Austin run a median of $155,100, and the median resident age is 36.3 years. About 23.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 61.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 17 residential building permits were authorized in Austin (Construction Slowdown), down 82% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Austin reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 1792.8 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

Minnesota tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Minnesota scores 98.6 (Near Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,049 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Minnesota's average monthly utility costs around $225 (state average). The average commute for Austin workers runs 17.0 minutes, with 77.8% driving alone and 4.3% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 67.3 out of 100 (Moderate).

Population

26,167 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Minnesota

Median Household Income

$66,488 /yr

Poverty 9.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

98.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Minnesota average

How does Austin compare to other US cities?

Austin measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 45% higher than other cities
Home value 28% pricier than other cities
Median rent 24% pricier than other cities
Safety 37% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Minnesota and the picture shifts: Austin ranks #179 of 229 Minnesota cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Austin's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Minnesota, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

45thIncome percentile
37thSafety percentile

45th percentile nationally for median household income · 37th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Austin's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Austin's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 52 Avg. percentile National median
Austin's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Austin's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$155,100 Among the most affordable more affordable than 72% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Austin $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Austin, MN Austin, MN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Austin, MN-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Austin, MN median $66,488/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Austin, MN's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Austin, MN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 23.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 9.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 61.5%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
26,167
Median Income
$66,488
Median Home Value
$155,100
Median Age
36.3
Poverty Rate
9.7%
Labor force participation
61.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
23.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1792.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
191.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1601.7
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
15
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
26,000 residents26,200 residents26,400 residents26,600 residents26,800 residents 202020212022202320242025 26,214 residents 26,689 residents ▲ +1.8%
Austin's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
17
housing units authorized
Single-Family
17
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 96
2020 7
2021 14
2022 100
2023 10
2024 17

Permit volume decreased 82% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
17.0 minutes
Drive Alone
77.8%
Carpool
13.0%
Public Transit
1.2%
Walk
2.4%
Work from Home
4.3%
Other
1.3%

Based on 12,156 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Minnesota - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$95
avg/month
Natural Gas
$85
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Minnesota state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Minnesota state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Austin sits in

Cost of Living Index
98.6
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,049/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
67.3 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Minnesota

Chanhassen
26,001 people
Winona
25,998 people
Elk River
26,367 people
Owatonna
26,462 people
Rosemount
26,509 people
Shoreview
26,724 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Austin's 26,167 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

East Chicago, IN
26,158 people
Windsor, CA
26,179 people
Ives Estates, FL
26,154 people
Trussville, AL
26,182 people
Elkridge, MD
26,183 people
Fairland, MD
26,183 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Austin's $66,488 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Kanawha, IA
$66,481 median income
El Cajon, CA
$66,478 median income
Maywood, IL
$66,498 median income
Elkhart, KS
$66,477 median income
Fontanelle, IA
$66,500 median income
Sturgeon, MO
$66,500 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Austin, MN Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Austin, MN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 70.6% 8.5% 6.8% 7.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 18.0% White 70.6% Black or African American 5.2% Asian 8.5% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 0.7% Some other race 6.8% Two or more races 7.8% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Austin compares to nearby Minnesota cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Austin (this city) 26,167 $66,488
Chanhassen 26,001 $138,034
Winona 25,998 $56,163
Elk River 26,367 $99,457
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MN FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Austin, MN?

What is the population of Austin, MN? +

26,167 people live in Austin, MN according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Austin, MN? +

In Austin, the typical household earns $66,488 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Austin? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Austin; the closest available measure is the Minnesota state average, a cost of living index of 98.6 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Minnesota vary by metro area.

Is Austin, MN safe? +

Austin has a total crime rate of 1792.8 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Austin, MN? +

Austin's median home value sits at $155,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.