City profile · Minnesota · Census ACS 2023

Grand Rapids, MN

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

11,186
Residents
$56,542
Median income
$200,600
Median home
$1,074
Median rent (state)

Grand Rapids - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Grand Rapids lands in the 30th percentile for household income and the 59th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

30th
percentile, household income
43rd
percentile, home value
26th
percentile, median rent
59th
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: Grand Rapids, MN

Grand Rapids is a small town in Minnesota, home to 11,186 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Grand Rapids brings in $56,542 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 12.8%. Home values in Grand Rapids run a median of $200,600, and the median resident age is 44.5 years. 30.0% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 50.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 2 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 75% from five years earlier. Grand Rapids reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1120.6 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not 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. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,074 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Minnesota's average monthly utility costs around $225 (state average). Commute times here average 14.0 minutes, with 70.1% driving alone and 7.7% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 76.7 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

Population

11,186 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Minnesota

Median Household Income

$56,542 /yr

Poverty 12.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

98.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Minnesota average

How does Grand Rapids compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 30% higher than other cities
Home value 43% pricier than other cities
Median rent 26% pricier than other cities
Safety 59% 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: Grand Rapids ranks #131 of 229 Minnesota cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids toward the top of Minnesota's cities

Among the 785 Minnesota cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Grand Rapids ranks #121 - the 84th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Grand Rapids only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#578 of 775
25th percentile in Minnesota
Median Gross Rent
#376 of 785
50th percentile in Minnesota
Median Home Value
#314 of 774
59th percentile in Minnesota
Poverty Rate
#121 of 785
84th percentile in Minnesota
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#211 of 784
73rd 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.

30thIncome percentile
59thSafety percentile

30th percentile nationally for median household income · 59th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Grand Rapids's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Grand Rapids'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
Grand Rapids'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 Grand Rapids's home value compares nationally

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

$200,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 57% 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. Grand Rapids $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 - Grand Rapids, MN Grand Rapids, MN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Grand Rapids, 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 Grand Rapids, MN median $56,542/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%
Grand Rapids, 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 Grand Rapids, MN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 30.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 12.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 50.4%

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

Population
11,186
Median Income
$56,542
Median Home Value
$200,600
Median Age
44.5
Poverty Rate
12.8%
Labor force participation
50.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
30.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1120.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
88.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1032.4
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
8
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
11,000 residents11,100 residents11,200 residents11,300 residents11,400 residents 202020212022202320242025 11,081 residents 11,181 residents ▲ +0.9%
Grand Rapids's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
2
housing units authorized
Single-Family
2
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 8
2020 126
2021 6
2022 5
2023 10
2024 2

Permit volume decreased 75% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
14.0 minutes
Drive Alone
70.1%
Carpool
10.1%
Public Transit
3.8%
Walk
4.2%
Work from Home
7.7%
Other
4.1%

Based on 4,648 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 Grand Rapids sits in

Cost of Living Index
98.6
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,074/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
76.7 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Minnesota

North Branch
11,182 people
Victoria
10,972 people
Mendota Heights
11,644 people
Little Canada
10,546 people
East Bethel
11,995 people
Fairmont
10,348 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Grand Rapids's 11,186 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Sebring, FL
11,185 people
Prineville, OR
11,187 people
Collegedale, TN
11,185 people
Petal, MS
11,195 people
Waipio, HI
11,196 people
Monmouth, OR
11,176 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Grand Rapids's $56,542 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Washington, IA
$56,536 median income
Hamilton, MO
$56,548 median income
Reedsville, PA
$56,548 median income
Sawmills, NC
$56,534 median income
Cocoa, FL
$56,553 median income
Rembrandt, IA
$56,528 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Grand Rapids, 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 Grand Rapids, MN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 90.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1.6% White 90.2% Black or African American 1.1% Asian 0.2% American Indian 2.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.5% Two or more races 5.5% 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 Grand Rapids 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
Grand Rapids (this city) 11,186 $56,542
North Branch 11,182 $90,383
Victoria 10,972 $192,821
Mendota Heights 11,644 $132,935
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MN FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Grand Rapids, MN?

What is the population of Grand Rapids, MN? +

11,186 people live in Grand Rapids, MN according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Grand Rapids, MN? +

In Grand Rapids, the typical household earns $56,542 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Grand Rapids? +

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

Grand Rapids has a total crime rate of 1120.6 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 Grand Rapids, MN? +

The median home value in Grand Rapids is $200,600, 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.