City profile · Minnesota · Census ACS 2023

Mountain Lake, MN

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

1,833
Residents
$59,115
Median income
$118,900
Median home
$973
Median rent (state)

Mountain Lake - the verdict

Nationally, Mountain Lake sits in the 34th percentile for household income and the 82nd percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

34th
percentile, household income
17th
percentile, home value
12th
percentile, median rent
82nd
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: Mountain Lake, MN

Minnesota's Mountain Lake is a small town, with 1,833 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Mountain Lake brings in $59,115 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 14.5%. Home values in Mountain Lake run a median of $118,900, and the median resident age is 33.8 years. 21.9% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 59.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 1 residential building permits were authorized in Mountain Lake (Low Activity), per Census BPS data. Mountain Lake reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 570.3 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than 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. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $973 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $225 across Minnesota, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 27.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

1,833 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Minnesota

Median Household Income

$59,115 /yr

Poverty 14.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

98.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Minnesota average

How does Mountain Lake compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 34% higher than other cities
Home value 17% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% pricier than other cities
Safety 82% 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, Mountain Lake ranks #81 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

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 Mountain 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.

34thIncome percentile
82ndSafety percentile

34th percentile nationally for median household income · 82nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Mountain Lake's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Mountain 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 67 Avg. percentile National median
Mountain 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 Mountain Lake's home value compares nationally

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

$118,900 Among the most affordable more affordable than 83% 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. Mountain 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 - Mountain Lake, MN Mountain Lake, MN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Mountain 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 Mountain Lake, MN median $59,115/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 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 Mountain Lake, MN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 21.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 14.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.1%

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

Population
1,833
Median Income
$59,115
Median Home Value
$118,900
Median Age
33.8
Poverty Rate
14.5%
Labor force participation
59.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
21.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
570.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
362.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
207.4
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
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 →
1,940 residents1,960 residents1,980 residents2,000 residents2,020 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,991 residents 1,949 residents ▼ -2.1%
Mountain Lake's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Low Activity
Total Permits (2024)
1
housing units authorized
Single-Family
1
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 0
2021 8
2022 1
2023 0
2024 1

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
68.3%
Carpool
14.8%
Public Transit
0.9%
Walk
2.3%
Work from Home
11.5%
Other
2.2%

Based on 742 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 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
27.7 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Minnesota

Ada
1,834 people
Lester Prairie
1,848 people
Kenyon
1,811 people
Howard Lake
1,864 people
Spring Park
1,869 people
Tracy
1,869 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Mountain Lake's 1,833 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Cheswold, DE
1,833 people
Superior, NE
1,833 people
Cornersville, TN
1,832 people
Abram, TX
1,832 people
Collinsville, AL
1,835 people
Langdon, ND
1,835 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Mountain Lake's $59,115 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Fort Morgan, CO
$59,121 median income
Crab Orchard, WV
$59,122 median income
Onward, IN
$59,107 median income
Kensington, KS
$59,107 median income
Forest Home, NY
$59,107 median income
Sunny Isles Beach, FL
$59,124 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Mountain 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 Mountain Lake, MN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 66.2% 13.2% 9.3% 9.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 18.4% White 66.2% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 13.2% American Indian 2.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 9.3% Two or more races 9.3% 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 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
Mountain Lake (this city) 1,833 $59,115
Ada 1,834 $67,857
Lester Prairie 1,848 $87,188
Kenyon 1,811 $74,643
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MN FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Mountain Lake, MN?

What is the population of Mountain Lake, MN? +

The population of Mountain Lake, MN stands at 1,833 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Mountain Lake is $59,115 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Mountain Lake? +

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

Mountain Lake has a total crime rate of 570.3 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 Mountain Lake, MN? +

The median home value in Mountain Lake is $118,900, 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.