City profile · Minnesota · Census ACS 2023

Crystal, MN

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

22,685
Residents
$86,752
Median income
$280,500
Median home
$1,709
Median rent (state)

Crystal - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Crystal places in the 68th percentile for household income and the 22nd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

68th
percentile, household income
62nd
percentile, home value
68th
percentile, median rent
22nd
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: Crystal, MN

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 22,685 residents in Crystal, a small city within Minnesota. The typical household in Crystal brings in $86,752 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 5.0%. Crystal's housing stock carries a median value of $280,500, and the median resident age is 37.1 years. About 35.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 70.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 47 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 683% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 2505.0 crimes per 100,000 residents, near 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: the state registers 98.6 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Near Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,709 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Minnesota's average monthly utility costs around $225 (state average). Workers in Crystal report an average commute of 18.4 minutes, with 66.3% driving alone and 18.1% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 98.3 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

22,685 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Minnesota

Median Household Income

$86,752 /yr

Poverty 5.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

98.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Minnesota average

How does Crystal compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 68% higher than other cities
Home value 62% pricier than other cities
Median rent 68% pricier than other cities
Safety 22% 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, Crystal ranks #202 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 Crystal against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Minnesota only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Minnesota-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher places Crystal toward the top of Minnesota's cities

Among the 784 Minnesota cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Crystal ranks #147 - the 81st percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Crystal only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#209 of 775
73rd percentile in Minnesota
Median Gross Rent
#1 of 785
77th percentile in Minnesota
Median Home Value
#175 of 774
77th percentile in Minnesota
Poverty Rate
#427 of 785
45th percentile in Minnesota
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#147 of 784
81st 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.

68thIncome percentile
22ndSafety percentile

68th percentile nationally for median household income · 22nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Crystal's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Crystal'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 42 Avg. percentile National median
Crystal'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 Crystal's home value compares nationally

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

$280,500 38th percentile more affordable than 38% 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%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Crystal $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 - Crystal, MN Crystal, MN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Crystal, 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 Crystal, MN median $86,752/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%
Crystal, 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 Crystal, MN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 35.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 70.4%

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

Population
22,685
Median Income
$86,752
Median Home Value
$280,500
Median Age
37.1
Poverty Rate
5.0%
Labor force participation
70.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
35.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2505.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
279.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2225.6
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
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
21,500 residents22,000 residents22,500 residents23,000 residents23,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 23,244 residents 22,239 residents ▼ -4.3%
Crystal's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
47
housing units authorized
Single-Family
1
detached homes
Multifamily
46
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 6
2020 6
2021 4
2022 5
2023 63
2024 47

Permit volume increased 683% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
18.4 minutes
Drive Alone
66.3%
Carpool
10.5%
Public Transit
3.5%
Walk
1.2%
Work from Home
18.1%

Based on 12,510 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 Crystal sits in

Cost of Living Index
98.6
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,709/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
98.3 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Minnesota

New Brighton
22,900 people
Hastings
22,050 people
Columbia Heights
22,016 people
Golden Valley
21,927 people
Champlin
23,450 people
Lino Lakes
21,847 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Crystal's 22,685 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Avon, IN
22,683 people
Sun Valley, NV
22,697 people
North Plainfield, NJ
22,667 people
Vega Baja zona urbana, PR
22,730 people
Roselle, IL
22,731 people
Hialeah Gardens, FL
22,634 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Crystal's $86,752 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Erie, IL
$86,750 median income
North Newton, KS
$86,750 median income
Mazomanie, WI
$86,750 median income
Kailua CDP (Hawaii County), HI
$86,743 median income
Hoffman Lake, IN
$86,731 median income
North Catasauqua, PA
$86,779 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Crystal, 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 Crystal, MN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 67.8% 13.9% 11.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 9.7% White 67.8% Black or African American 13.9% Asian 4.1% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.1% Two or more races 11.5% 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 Crystal 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
Crystal (this city) 22,685 $86,752
New Brighton 22,900 $87,272
Hastings 22,050 $92,940
Columbia Heights 22,016 $74,688
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MN FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Crystal, MN?

What is the population of Crystal, MN? +

Crystal, MN counts 22,685 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Crystal, the typical household earns $86,752 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Crystal? +

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

Crystal has a total crime rate of 2505.0 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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 Crystal, MN? +

Homes in Crystal carry a median value of $280,500, 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.