City profile · Minnesota · Census ACS 2023

Mountain Iron, MN

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

2,865
Residents
$81,607
Median income
$180,700
Median home
$1,232
Median rent (state)

Mountain Iron - the verdict

Mountain Iron ranks in the 63rd percentile for household income nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS.

63rd
percentile, household income
37th
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: Mountain Iron, MN

Minnesota's Mountain Iron is a small town, with 2,865 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $81,607 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 6.7%. Home values in Mountain Iron run a median of $180,700, and the median resident age is 49.5 years. About 22.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 59.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 4 residential building permits were authorized in Mountain Iron (Rapid Growth), up 33% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data.

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. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,232 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Minnesota's average monthly utility costs around $225 (state average). The average commute for Mountain Iron workers runs 15.0 minutes, with 74.0% driving alone and 4.3% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 91.6 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

2,865 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Minnesota

Median Household Income

$81,607 /yr

Poverty 6.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

98.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Minnesota average

How does Mountain Iron compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 63% higher than other cities
Home value 37% 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

Each percentile compares Mountain Iron 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 sits close to the middle of Minnesota's city distribution

Among the 785 Minnesota cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Mountain Iron ranks #204 - the 70th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Mountain Iron only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#248 of 775
68th percentile in Minnesota
Median Gross Rent
#204 of 785
70th percentile in Minnesota
Median Home Value
#365 of 774
53rd percentile in Minnesota
Poverty Rate
#322 of 785
58th percentile in Minnesota
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#331 of 784
57th 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.

63rdIncome percentile

63rd percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Mountain Iron's home value compares nationally

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

$180,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 63% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Mountain Iron $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 - Mountain Iron, MN Mountain Iron, MN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Mountain Iron, 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 Mountain Iron, MN median $81,607/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%
Mountain Iron, 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 Mountain Iron, MN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 22.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.6%

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

Population
2,865
Median Income
$81,607
Median Home Value
$180,700
Median Age
49.5
Poverty Rate
6.7%
Labor force participation
59.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
22.9%

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 →
2,820 residents2,840 residents2,860 residents2,880 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,872 residents 2,835 residents ▼ -1.3%
Mountain Iron's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
4
housing units authorized
Single-Family
4
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 3
2020 5
2021 4
2022 4
2023 1
2024 4

Permit volume increased 33% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
15.0 minutes
Drive Alone
74.0%
Carpool
12.4%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
4.3%
Other
9.3%

Based on 1,472 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 Mountain Iron 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
91.6 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Minnesota

Dodge Center
2,864 people
Greenfield
2,897 people
Caledonia
2,825 people
Albany
2,800 people
Afton
2,944 people
Cokato
2,780 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Mountain Iron's 2,865 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Frisco, CO
2,865 people
Fairfax, IA
2,865 people
Brighton, TN
2,865 people
Eutaw, AL
2,864 people
Aspinwall, PA
2,866 people
Tazewell, TN
2,864 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Mountain Iron's $81,607 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Strasburg, CO
$81,607 median income
Central City, IA
$81,607 median income
Courtdale, PA
$81,607 median income
Buffalo, SD
$81,607 median income
Ashland, CA
$81,604 median income
Oak Grove, OR
$81,611 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Mountain Iron, 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 Mountain Iron, MN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 95.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.0% White 95.3% Black or African American 0.2% Asian 1.9% American Indian 1.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.7% Two or more races 0.7% 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 Mountain Iron 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
Mountain Iron (this city) 2,865 $81,607
Dodge Center 2,864 $77,552
Greenfield 2,897 $147,184
Caledonia 2,825 $69,792
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MN NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Mountain Iron, MN?

What is the population of Mountain Iron, MN? +

Mountain Iron, MN counts 2,865 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Mountain Iron, MN? +

The median household income in Mountain Iron is $81,607 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Mountain Iron? +

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

A typical home in Mountain Iron is worth $180,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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