City profile · Minnesota · Census ACS 2023

Fergus Falls, MN

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

14,138
Residents
$50,865
Median income
$173,300
Median home
$973
Median rent (state)

Fergus Falls - the verdict

Fergus Falls ranks in the 21st percentile for household income and the 21st percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

21st
percentile, household income
35th
percentile, home value
12th
percentile, median rent
21st
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: Fergus Falls, MN

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 14,138 residents in Fergus Falls, a small town within Minnesota. The typical household in Fergus Falls brings in $50,865 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 5.1%. Home values in Fergus Falls run a median of $173,300, and the median resident age is 42.0 years. Educational attainment runs 27.8% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 56.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 4 residential building permits were authorized in Fergus Falls (Construction Slowdown), down 76% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 2569.3 in FBI UCR data, near the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 41.9°F with 26.9 inches of precipitation per year.

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 $973 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Minnesota's average monthly utility costs around $225 (state average). Commute times here average 11.5 minutes, with 69.7% driving alone and 10.2% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 3.0 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

14,138 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Minnesota

Median Household Income

$50,865 /yr

Poverty 5.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

98.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Minnesota average

How does Fergus Falls compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 21% higher than other cities
Home value 35% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% pricier than other cities
Safety 21% 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, Fergus Falls ranks #207 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

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 Fergus Falls'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.

21stIncome percentile
21stSafety percentile

21st percentile nationally for median household income · 21st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Fergus Falls's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Fergus Falls'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 40 Avg. percentile National median
Fergus Falls'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 Fergus Falls's home value compares nationally

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

$173,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 65% 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. Fergus Falls $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 - Fergus Falls, MN Fergus Falls, MN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Fergus Falls, 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 Fergus Falls, MN median $50,865/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%
Fergus Falls, 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 Fergus Falls, MN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 27.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 56.9%

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

Population
14,138
Median Income
$50,865
Median Home Value
$173,300
Median Age
42.0
Poverty Rate
5.1%
Labor force participation
56.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
27.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2569.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
203.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2365.7
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
41.9°F
Annual Precipitation
26.9"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
13
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
14,050 residents14,100 residents14,150 residents14,200 residents14,250 residents14,300 residents 202020212022202320242025 14,104 residents 14,246 residents ▲ +1.0%
Fergus Falls's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
4
housing units authorized
Single-Family
4
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 17
2020 26
2021 15
2022 34
2023 27
2024 4

Permit volume decreased 76% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
11.5 minutes
Drive Alone
69.7%
Carpool
10.5%
Public Transit
2.2%
Walk
4.6%
Work from Home
10.2%
Other
2.8%

Based on 6,460 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 Fergus Falls 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
3.0 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Minnesota

New Ulm
14,066 people
North Mankato
14,212 people
Robbinsdale
14,318 people
Marshall
13,880 people
Sauk Rapids
13,851 people
Brainerd
14,474 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Fergus Falls's 14,138 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

McFarland, CA
14,138 people
Braselton, GA
14,139 people
Lone Tree, CO
14,136 people
Circleville, OH
14,144 people
Chicago Ridge, IL
14,147 people
Southchase, FL
14,149 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Fergus Falls's $50,865 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Beloit, KS
$50,865 median income
Sharon Springs, NY
$50,865 median income
Cade Lakes, TX
$50,862 median income
Houghton Lake, MI
$50,861 median income
Farmville, NC
$50,870 median income
Riverview, VA
$50,870 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Fergus Falls, 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 Fergus Falls, MN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 91.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1.2% White 91.1% Black or African American 1.2% Asian 1.9% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 0.8% Two or more races 4.7% 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 Fergus Falls 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
Fergus Falls (this city) 14,138 $50,865
New Ulm 14,066 $63,984
North Mankato 14,212 $77,571
Robbinsdale 14,318 $84,719
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MN FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Fergus Falls, MN?

What is the population of Fergus Falls, MN? +

The population of Fergus Falls, MN stands at 14,138 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Fergus Falls, MN? +

Fergus Falls households earn a median of $50,865 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Fergus Falls? +

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

Fergus Falls has a total crime rate of 2569.3 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 Fergus Falls, MN? +

Homes in Fergus Falls carry a median value of $173,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Fergus Falls? +

Fergus Falls has an average annual temperature of 41.9°F, 26.9 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, 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.