City profile · Minnesota · Census ACS 2023

Heron Lake, MN

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

591
Residents
$66,607
Median income
$86,200
Median home
$973
Median rent (state)

Heron Lake - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Heron Lake lands in the 45th percentile for household income and the 91st percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

45th
percentile, household income
5th
percentile, home value
12th
percentile, median rent
91st
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: Heron Lake, MN

Heron Lake is a small town in Minnesota, home to 591 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Heron Lake households earn a median of $66,607 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 5.2%. Typical homes in Heron Lake are valued around $86,200, and the median resident age is 40.4 years. Educational attainment runs 19.9% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 68.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 0 residential building permits were authorized in Heron Lake (No Permits), down 100% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Heron Lake reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 340.7 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 $973 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Minnesota run around $225, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Workers in Heron Lake report an average commute of 17.9 minutes, with 72.2% driving alone and 3.1% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 22.4 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

591 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Minnesota

Median Household Income

$66,607 /yr

Poverty 5.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

98.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Minnesota average

How does Heron Lake compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 45% higher than other cities
Home value 5% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% pricier than other cities
Safety 91% 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, Heron Lake ranks #50 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

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 Heron Lake'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.

45thIncome percentile
91stSafety percentile

45th percentile nationally for median household income · 91st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Heron Lake's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Heron 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 76 Avg. percentile National median
Heron 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 Heron Lake's home value compares nationally

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

$86,200 Among the most affordable more affordable than 95% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Heron 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 - Heron Lake, MN Heron Lake, MN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Heron 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 Heron Lake, MN median $66,607/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%
Heron 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 Heron Lake, MN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 19.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 68.1%

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

Population
591
Median Income
$66,607
Median Home Value
$86,200
Median Age
40.4
Poverty Rate
5.2%
Labor force participation
68.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
19.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
340.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
0.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
340.7
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.

Schools

Total Schools
1
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
580 residents590 residents600 residents610 residents 202020212022202320242025 603 residents 586 residents ▼ -2.8%
Heron Lake's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1
2020 0
2021 0
2022 0
2023 1
2024 0

Permit volume decreased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
17.9 minutes
Drive Alone
72.2%
Carpool
12.5%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
10.3%
Work from Home
3.1%
Other
1.9%

Based on 320 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 Heron Lake 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
22.4 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Minnesota

Rollingstone
590 people
Halstad
589 people
Motley
593 people
Marble
588 people
Sunfish Lake
594 people
Glenville
596 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Heron Lake's 591 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Crescent, IA
591 people
Pollock, LA
591 people
Raymondville, MO
591 people
Edgar, NE
591 people
Encinal, NM
591 people
Riverside, NY
591 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Heron Lake's $66,607 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Polkville, NC
$66,607 median income
McLaughlin, SD
$66,607 median income
East Lansdowne, PA
$66,611 median income
Oneida, IL
$66,615 median income
Pierceton, IN
$66,597 median income
New Hebron, MS
$66,618 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Heron 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 Heron Lake, MN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 76.8% 8.1% 12.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 17.6% White 76.8% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.5% American Indian 2.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 8.1% Two or more races 12.5% 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 Heron 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
Heron Lake (this city) 591 $66,607
Rollingstone 590 $86,500
Halstad 589 $67,857
Motley 593 $43,281
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MN FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Heron Lake, MN?

What is the population of Heron Lake, MN? +

Heron Lake, MN has a population of 591 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Heron Lake households earn a median of $66,607 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Heron Lake? +

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

Heron Lake has a total crime rate of 340.7 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 Heron Lake, MN? +

A typical home in Heron Lake is worth $86,200, 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 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.