City profile · Minnesota · Census ACS 2023

Blue Earth, MN

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

3,170
Residents
$59,118
Median income
$125,200
Median home
$973
Median rent (state)

Blue Earth - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Blue Earth lands in the 34th percentile for household income and the 82nd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

34th
percentile, household income
19th
percentile, home value
12th
percentile, median rent
82nd
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: Blue Earth, MN

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 3,170 residents in Blue Earth, a small town within Minnesota. Blue Earth households earn a median of $59,118 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 10.4%. Home values in Blue Earth run a median of $125,200, and the median resident age is 45.0 years. Educational attainment runs 26.2% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 60.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 4 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 100% from five years earlier. Blue Earth reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 569.4 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: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Minnesota at 98.6 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Near Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $973 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Minnesota's average monthly utility costs around $225 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 45.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Low).

Population

3,170 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Minnesota

Median Household Income

$59,118 /yr

Poverty 10.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

98.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Minnesota average

How does Blue Earth compare to other US cities?

Here's how Blue Earth stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 34% higher than other cities
Home value 19% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% pricier than other cities
Safety 82% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Minnesota, Blue Earth ranks #79 of 229 Minnesota cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

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

Minnesota-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Blue Earth near the bottom of Minnesota's cities

Among the 785 Minnesota cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Blue Earth ranks #531 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Blue Earth only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#538 of 775
31st percentile in Minnesota
Median Gross Rent
#531 of 785
0th percentile in Minnesota
Median Home Value
#544 of 774
30th percentile in Minnesota
Poverty Rate
#185 of 785
76th percentile in Minnesota
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#260 of 784
66th 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.

34thIncome percentile
82ndSafety percentile

34th percentile nationally for median household income · 82nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Blue Earth's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Blue Earth'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 67 Avg. percentile National median
Blue Earth'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 Blue Earth's home value compares nationally

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

$125,200 Among the most affordable more affordable than 81% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Blue Earth $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 - Blue Earth, MN Blue Earth, MN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Blue Earth, 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 Blue Earth, MN median $59,118/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%
Blue Earth, 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 Blue Earth, MN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 26.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 10.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 60.5%

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

Population
3,170
Median Income
$59,118
Median Home Value
$125,200
Median Age
45.0
Poverty Rate
10.4%
Labor force participation
60.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
26.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
569.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
379.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
189.8
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
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
3,160 residents3,165 residents3,170 residents3,175 residents3,180 residents3,185 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,169 residents 3,165 residents ▼ -0.1%
Blue Earth's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
4
housing units authorized
Single-Family
4
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 2
2020 2
2021 2
2022 2
2023 0
2024 4

Permit volume increased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
73.4%
Carpool
8.7%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
8.5%
Work from Home
9.3%

Based on 1,464 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 Blue Earth sits in

Cost of Living Index
98.6
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$973/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
45.5 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Minnesota

Proctor
3,102 people
Ely
3,239 people
Rush City
3,262 people
Eagle Lake
3,268 people
Moose Lake
3,297 people
Jackson
3,298 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Blue Earth's 3,170 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Millersburg, OH
3,170 people
Corning, AR
3,169 people
Country Club, MO
3,171 people
Tilton Northfield, NH
3,169 people
East Gaffney, SC
3,169 people
Nevada City, CA
3,168 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Blue Earth's $59,118 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Fort Morgan, CO
$59,121 median income
Crab Orchard, WV
$59,122 median income
Sunny Isles Beach, FL
$59,124 median income
Veedersburg, IN
$59,125 median income
Rulo, NE
$59,125 median income
South Corning, NY
$59,125 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Blue Earth, 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 Blue Earth, MN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 82.6% 8.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 13.2% White 82.6% Black or African American 1.1% Asian 1.8% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 5.4% Two or more races 8.8% 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 Blue Earth 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
Blue Earth (this city) 3,170 $59,118
Proctor 3,102 $80,913
Ely 3,239 $46,042
Rush City 3,262 $58,543
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MN FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Blue Earth, MN?

What is the population of Blue Earth, MN? +

Blue Earth, MN has a population of 3,170 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Blue Earth, MN? +

The median household income in Blue Earth is $59,118 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Blue Earth? +

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

Blue Earth has a total crime rate of 569.4 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 Blue Earth, MN? +

Blue Earth's median home value sits at $125,200, 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.