City profile · Minnesota · Census ACS 2023

Moose Lake, MN

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

3,297
Residents
$61,576
Median income
$205,000
Median home
$1,232
Median rent (state)

Moose Lake - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Moose Lake places in the 38th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

38th
percentile, household income
44th
percentile, home value
39th
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Moose Lake, MN

3,297 people live in Moose Lake, Minnesota - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Moose Lake households earn a median of $61,576 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 5.4%. Moose Lake's housing stock carries a median value of $205,000, and the median resident age is 44.7 years. About 10.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 21.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 0 residential units were authorized in 2024 (No Permits), down 100% from five years earlier. NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 41.4°F with 31.5 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. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,232 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $225 across Minnesota, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. The average commute for Moose Lake workers runs 14.9 minutes, with 58.9% driving alone and 23.7% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 70.1 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

Population

3,297 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Minnesota

Median Household Income

$61,576 /yr

Poverty 5.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

98.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Minnesota average

How does Moose Lake compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 38% higher than other cities
Home value 44% pricier than other cities
Median rent 39% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

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 Moose 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.

38thIncome percentile

38th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Moose Lake's home value compares nationally

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

$205,000 Among the most affordable more affordable than 56% 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. Moose 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 - Moose Lake, MN Moose Lake, MN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Moose 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 Moose Lake, MN median $61,576/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%
Moose 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 Moose Lake, MN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 10.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 21.1%

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

Population
3,297
Median Income
$61,576
Median Home Value
$205,000
Median Age
44.7
Poverty Rate
5.4%
Labor force participation
21.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
10.9%

Climate

Avg Temperature
41.4°F
Annual Precipitation
31.5"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,700 residents2,800 residents2,900 residents3,000 residents3,100 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,788 residents 2,948 residents ▲ +5.7%
Moose 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 0
2024 0

Permit volume decreased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
14.9 minutes
Drive Alone
58.9%
Carpool
15.8%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.5%
Work from Home
23.7%

Based on 657 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 Moose Lake sits in

Cost of Living Index
98.6
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,232/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
70.1 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Minnesota

Jackson
3,298 people
Eagle Lake
3,268 people
Rush City
3,262 people
Pine City
3,339 people
Ely
3,239 people
Annandale
3,365 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Moose Lake's 3,297 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Rayville, LA
3,297 people
Bunkie, LA
3,299 people
Hominy, OK
3,299 people
Elizabethtown, NC
3,294 people
Erda, UT
3,294 people
Chincoteague, VA
3,300 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Moose Lake's $61,576 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

South Padre Island, TX
$61,578 median income
Elmwood Park, WI
$61,573 median income
Rocky Mount, VA
$61,580 median income
Scott City, MO
$61,581 median income
Atlanta, IN
$61,583 median income
Silver Hill, MD
$61,566 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Moose 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 Moose Lake, MN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 72.0% 16.9% 7.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.8% White 72.0% Black or African American 16.9% Asian 1.4% American Indian 1.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.1% Two or more races 7.5% 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 Moose 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
Moose Lake (this city) 3,297 $61,576
Jackson 3,298 $57,328
Eagle Lake 3,268 $97,161
Rush City 3,262 $58,543
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MN NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Moose Lake, MN?

What is the population of Moose Lake, MN? +

The population of Moose Lake, MN stands at 3,297 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Moose Lake households earn a median of $61,576 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Moose Lake? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Moose 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.

What is the median home value in Moose Lake, MN? +

Moose Lake's median home value sits at $205,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Moose Lake? +

The average annual temperature in Moose Lake runs 41.4°F, 31.5 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, 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

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.