City profile · Minnesota · Census ACS 2023

Lakefield, MN

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

1,652
Residents
$62,656
Median income
$115,900
Median home
$973
Median rent (state)

Lakefield - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Lakefield places in the 39th percentile for household income and the 98th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

39th
percentile, household income
16th
percentile, home value
12th
percentile, median rent
98th
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: Lakefield, MN

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 1,652 residents in Lakefield, a small town within Minnesota. The typical household in Lakefield brings in $62,656 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 1.7%. Typical homes in Lakefield are valued around $115,900, and the median resident age is 43.9 years. Educational attainment runs 17.1% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 63.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 4 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 100% from five years earlier. Lakefield reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 58.4 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Lakefield's yearly average temperature at 44.0°F with 30.5 inches of precipitation per year and 48.5 inches of snowfall.

Minnesota tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Minnesota at 98.6 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Near Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $973 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Minnesota's average monthly utility costs around $225 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 22.4 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

1,652 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Minnesota

Median Household Income

$62,656 /yr

Poverty 1.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

98.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Minnesota average

How does Lakefield compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 39% higher than other cities
Home value 16% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% pricier than other cities
Safety 98% 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, Lakefield ranks #16 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 Lakefield 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 Lakefield near the bottom of Minnesota's cities

Among the 785 Minnesota cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Lakefield ranks #531 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Lakefield only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#478 of 775
38th percentile in Minnesota
Median Gross Rent
#531 of 785
0th percentile in Minnesota
Median Home Value
#574 of 774
26th percentile in Minnesota
Poverty Rate
#631 of 785
19th percentile in Minnesota
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#505 of 784
35th 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.

39thIncome percentile
98thSafety percentile

39th percentile nationally for median household income · 98th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Lakefield's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Lakefield'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 74 Avg. percentile National median
Lakefield'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 Lakefield's home value compares nationally

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

$115,900 Among the most affordable more affordable than 84% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Lakefield $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 - Lakefield, MN Lakefield, MN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Lakefield, 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 Lakefield, MN median $62,656/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%
Lakefield, 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 Lakefield, MN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 17.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 1.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 63.7%

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

Population
1,652
Median Income
$62,656
Median Home Value
$115,900
Median Age
43.9
Poverty Rate
1.7%
Labor force participation
63.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
17.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
58.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
58.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
0.0
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
44.0°F
Annual Precipitation
30.5"
Annual Snowfall
48.5"

Schools

Total Schools
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,690 residents1,700 residents1,710 residents1,720 residents1,730 residents1,740 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,729 residents 1,697 residents ▼ -1.9%
Lakefield's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
4
housing units authorized
Single-Family
2
detached homes
Multifamily
2
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 2
2020 1
2021 4
2022 2
2023 1
2024 4

Permit volume increased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
73.0%
Carpool
11.1%
Public Transit
1.3%
Walk
3.0%
Work from Home
10.4%
Other
1.2%

Based on 827 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 Lakefield 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

Hinckley
1,665 people
Oronoco
1,665 people
Osakis
1,667 people
Warren
1,637 people
Braham
1,674 people
Lewiston
1,680 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Lakefield's 1,652 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Lake City, IA
1,652 people
Bingham Farms, MI
1,652 people
Bolindale, OH
1,652 people
Manson, IA
1,653 people
North Industry, OH
1,653 people
Pine Grove Mills, PA
1,653 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Lakefield's $62,656 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Ellsworth, PA
$62,656 median income
Crystal Lakes, OH
$62,651 median income
Applegate, MI
$62,667 median income
Junction, CA
$62,669 median income
Richmond, VA
$62,671 median income
Blue Hills, CT
$62,672 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Lakefield, 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 Lakefield, MN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 94.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.8% White 94.4% Black or African American 0.5% Asian 0.3% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.1% 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 Lakefield 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
Lakefield (this city) 1,652 $62,656
Hinckley 1,665 $41,979
Oronoco 1,665 $146,875
Osakis 1,667 $53,684
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MN FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Lakefield, MN?

What is the population of Lakefield, MN? +

Lakefield, MN has a population of 1,652 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Lakefield households earn a median of $62,656 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Lakefield? +

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

Lakefield has a total crime rate of 58.4 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 Lakefield, MN? +

Homes in Lakefield carry a median value of $115,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Lakefield? +

Lakefield has an average annual temperature of 44.0°F, 30.5 inches of precipitation, and 48.5 inches of snowfall per year. 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

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

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.