City profile · Minnesota · Census ACS 2023

Battle Lake, MN

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

794
Residents
$58,125
Median income
$221,000
Median home
$983
Median rent (state)

Battle Lake - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Battle Lake places in the 32nd percentile for household income and the 92nd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

32nd
percentile, household income
49th
percentile, home value
18th
percentile, median rent
92nd
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: Battle Lake, MN

794 people live in Battle Lake, Minnesota - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $58,125 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 2.2%. Battle Lake's housing stock carries a median value of $221,000, and the median resident age is 55.8 years. Educational attainment runs 25.4% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 44.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 12 residential building permits were authorized in Battle Lake (Building Boom), up 500% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Battle Lake reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 322.9 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Minnesota tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Minnesota at 98.6 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Near Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $983 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Minnesota's average monthly utility costs around $225 (state average). FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 79.4 out of 100 (High).

Population

794 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Minnesota

Median Household Income

$58,125 /yr

Poverty 2.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

98.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Minnesota average

How does Battle Lake compare to other US cities?

Where Battle Lake sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 32% higher than other cities
Home value 49% pricier than other cities
Median rent 18% pricier than other cities
Safety 92% safer than other cities

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

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Minnesota alone, Battle Lake ranks #48 of 229 Minnesota cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Battle Lake against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Minnesota only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Minnesota-relative analysis

Poverty Rate places Battle Lake toward the bottom of Minnesota's cities

Among the 785 Minnesota cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Battle Lake ranks #597 - the 23rd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Battle Lake only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#557 of 775
28th percentile in Minnesota
Median Gross Rent
#509 of 785
34th percentile in Minnesota
Median Home Value
#273 of 774
65th percentile in Minnesota
Poverty Rate
#597 of 785
23rd percentile in Minnesota
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#288 of 784
63rd percentile in Minnesota

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Minnesota only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

32ndIncome percentile
92ndSafety percentile

32nd percentile nationally for median household income · 92nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Battle Lake's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Battle Lake'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 64 Avg. percentile National median
Battle Lake'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 Battle Lake's home value compares nationally

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

$221,000 Among the most affordable more affordable than 51% 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%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Battle Lake $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 - Battle Lake, MN Battle Lake, MN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Battle Lake, 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 Battle Lake, MN median $58,125/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%
Battle Lake, 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 Battle Lake, MN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 25.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 2.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 44.9%

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

Population
794
Median Income
$58,125
Median Home Value
$221,000
Median Age
55.8
Poverty Rate
2.2%
Labor force participation
44.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
25.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
322.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
0.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
322.9
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
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
850 residents900 residents950 residents 202020212022202320242025 858 residents 930 residents ▲ +8.4%
Battle Lake's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
12
housing units authorized
Single-Family
2
detached homes
Multifamily
10
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
15.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 2
2020 3
2021 2
2022 29
2023 3
2024 12

Permit volume increased 500% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
88.7%
Carpool
0.7%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
6.6%
Work from Home
4.0%

Based on 302 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 Battle Lake sits in

Cost of Living Index
98.6
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$983/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
79.4 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Minnesota

Watkins
797 people
Le Roy
790 people
Landfall
802 people
St. Clair
785 people
Lanesboro
804 people
Loretto
805 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Battle Lake's 794 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Challis, ID
794 people
Pocahontas, IL
794 people
Wamac, IL
794 people
Troy, KS
794 people
Preston, MD
794 people
Hopkins, MI
794 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Battle Lake's $58,125 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Horn Hill, AL
$58,125 median income
Manokotak, AK
$58,125 median income
Pinal, AZ
$58,125 median income
Lewiston, CA
$58,125 median income
Hotchkiss, CO
$58,125 median income
Chesterfield, IN
$58,125 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Battle Lake, 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 Battle Lake, MN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 90.7% 8.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 8.2% White 90.7% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 8.2% Two or more races 1.1% 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 Battle Lake 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
Battle Lake (this city) 794 $58,125
Watkins 797 $50,875
Le Roy 790 $51,250
Landfall 802 $39,938
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MN FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Battle Lake, MN?

What is the population of Battle Lake, MN? +

794 people live in Battle Lake, MN according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Battle Lake, MN? +

Median annual household income in Battle Lake runs $58,125, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Battle Lake? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Battle Lake; 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 Battle Lake, MN safe? +

Battle Lake has a total crime rate of 322.9 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 Battle Lake, MN? +

A typical home in Battle Lake is worth $221,000, 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

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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.