City profile · Minnesota · Census ACS 2023

Howard Lake, MN

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

1,864
Residents
$99,464
Median income
$239,100
Median home
$1,709
Median rent (state)

Howard Lake - the verdict

Nationally, Howard Lake sits in the 77th percentile for household income and the 94th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

77th
percentile, household income
53rd
percentile, home value
68th
percentile, median rent
94th
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: Howard Lake, MN

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 1,864 residents in Howard Lake, a small town within Minnesota. Howard Lake households earn a median of $99,464 annually, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 5.6%. Home values in Howard Lake run a median of $239,100, and the median resident age is 45.4 years. Educational attainment runs 22.0% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 61.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 21 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Growing), up 5% from five years earlier. Howard Lake reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 270.3 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: the state registers 98.6 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Near Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,709 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Minnesota run around $225, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 68.4 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Moderate).

Population

1,864 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Minnesota

Median Household Income

$99,464 /yr

Poverty 5.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

98.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Minnesota average

How does Howard Lake compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 77% higher than other cities
Home value 53% pricier than other cities
Median rent 68% pricier than other cities
Safety 94% 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, Howard Lake ranks #41 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 Howard Lake 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 Howard Lake toward the top of Minnesota's cities

Among the 785 Minnesota cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Howard Lake ranks #1 - the 77th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Howard Lake only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#125 of 775
84th percentile in Minnesota
Median Gross Rent
#1 of 785
77th percentile in Minnesota
Median Home Value
#235 of 774
70th percentile in Minnesota
Poverty Rate
#378 of 785
51st percentile in Minnesota
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#348 of 784
56th 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.

77thIncome percentile
94thSafety percentile

77th percentile nationally for median household income · 94th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Howard Lake's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Howard 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 70 Avg. percentile National median
Howard 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 Howard Lake's home value compares nationally

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

$239,100 47th percentile more affordable than 47% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Howard 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 - Howard Lake, MN Howard Lake, MN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Howard 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 Howard Lake, MN median $99,464/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%
Howard 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 Howard Lake, MN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 22.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 61.5%

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

Population
1,864
Median Income
$99,464
Median Home Value
$239,100
Median Age
45.4
Poverty Rate
5.6%
Labor force participation
61.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
22.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
270.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
0.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
270.3
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
7
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,000 residents2,100 residents2,200 residents2,300 residents2,400 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,086 residents 2,288 residents ▲ +9.7%
Howard Lake's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Growing
Total Permits (2024)
21
housing units authorized
Single-Family
19
detached homes
Multifamily
2
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
11.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 20
2020 25
2021 12
2022 24
2023 25
2024 21

Permit volume increased 5% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
78.0%
Carpool
3.8%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
18.2%

Based on 844 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 Howard Lake 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
68.4 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Minnesota

Spring Park
1,869 people
Tracy
1,869 people
Lester Prairie
1,848 people
Dundas
1,882 people
Coleraine
1,888 people
Maple Plain
1,889 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Howard Lake's 1,864 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Westernport, MD
1,864 people
Charlotte, TN
1,864 people
Benson, UT
1,864 people
Saratoga, WY
1,864 people
New Plymouth, ID
1,863 people
Kent Estates, IA
1,863 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Howard Lake's $99,464 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Goshen, NY
$99,464 median income
Slinger, WI
$99,457 median income
Perkasie, PA
$99,474 median income
Scappoose, OR
$99,475 median income
Perry, UT
$99,478 median income
Sugar Hill, GA
$99,479 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Howard 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 Howard Lake, MN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 96.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1.6% White 96.7% Black or African American 0.1% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.8% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.6% Two or more races 1.7% 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 Howard 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
Howard Lake (this city) 1,864 $99,464
Spring Park 1,869 $46,860
Tracy 1,869 $60,682
Lester Prairie 1,848 $87,188
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MN FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Howard Lake, MN?

What is the population of Howard Lake, MN? +

Howard Lake, MN counts 1,864 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Howard Lake, the typical household earns $99,464 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Howard Lake? +

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

Howard Lake has a total crime rate of 270.3 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 Howard Lake, MN? +

The median home value in Howard Lake is $239,100, 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.