City profile · Minnesota · Census ACS 2023

Northfield, MN

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

20,678
Residents
$92,000
Median income
$305,300
Median home
$1,187
Median rent (state)

Northfield - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Northfield lands in the 72nd percentile for household income and the 46th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

72nd
percentile, household income
66th
percentile, home value
35th
percentile, median rent
46th
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: Northfield, MN

20,678 people live in Northfield, Minnesota - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Northfield brings in $92,000 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 4.4%. Typical homes in Northfield are valued around $305,300, and the median resident age is 28.3 years. Educational attainment runs 51.5% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 62.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 10 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 74% from five years earlier. Northfield reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 1502.5 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. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,187 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Minnesota's average monthly utility costs around $225 (state average). The average commute for Northfield workers runs 15.2 minutes, with 56.5% driving alone and 19.5% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 75.4 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

Population

20,678 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Minnesota

Median Household Income

$92,000 /yr

Poverty 4.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

98.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Minnesota average

How does Northfield compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 72% higher than other cities
Home value 66% pricier than other cities
Median rent 35% pricier than other cities
Safety 46% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Minnesota, Northfield ranks #160 of 229 Minnesota cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Northfield against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Minnesota only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Minnesota-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher is Northfield's strongest outlier among Minnesota cities

Among the 784 Minnesota cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Northfield ranks #53 - the 93rd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Northfield only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#169 of 775
78th percentile in Minnesota
Median Gross Rent
#263 of 785
66th percentile in Minnesota
Median Home Value
#141 of 774
82nd percentile in Minnesota
Poverty Rate
#461 of 785
41st percentile in Minnesota
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#53 of 784
93rd 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.

72ndIncome percentile
46thSafety percentile

72nd percentile nationally for median household income · 46th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Northfield's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Northfield'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 56 Avg. percentile National median
Northfield'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 Northfield's home value compares nationally

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

$305,300 34th percentile more affordable than 34% 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%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Northfield $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 - Northfield, MN Northfield, MN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Northfield, 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 Northfield, MN median $92,000/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%
Northfield, 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 Northfield, MN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 51.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 4.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 62.3%

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

Population
20,678
Median Income
$92,000
Median Home Value
$305,300
Median Age
28.3
Poverty Rate
4.4%
Labor force participation
62.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
51.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1502.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
151.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1350.8
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
12
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
20,500 residents21,000 residents21,500 residents22,000 residents22,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 20,826 residents 21,992 residents ▲ +5.6%
Northfield's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
10
housing units authorized
Single-Family
6
detached homes
Multifamily
4
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 39
2020 13
2021 85
2022 49
2023 26
2024 10

Permit volume decreased 74% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
15.2 minutes
Drive Alone
56.5%
Carpool
5.3%
Public Transit
0.7%
Walk
16.8%
Work from Home
19.5%
Other
1.2%

Based on 10,704 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 Northfield sits in

Cost of Living Index
98.6
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,187/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
75.4 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Minnesota

Forest Lake
20,678 people
South St. Paul
20,633 people
West St. Paul
21,076 people
Willmar
21,136 people
Otsego
21,358 people
New Hope
21,402 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Northfield's 20,678 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

West Pensacola, FL
20,679 people
Tullahoma, TN
20,672 people
Marquette, MI
20,691 people
Lockport, NY
20,699 people
Montrose, CO
20,703 people
Wade Hampton, SC
20,703 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Northfield's $92,000 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Point Lay, AK
$92,000 median income
Palm Valley, TX
$92,000 median income
Carlyss, LA
$92,004 median income
Waterloo, IL
$92,005 median income
Unionville, NC
$92,009 median income
Salida, CA
$91,990 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Northfield, 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 Northfield, MN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 79.4% 10.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 12.3% White 79.4% Black or African American 2.0% Asian 4.2% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 3.2% Two or more races 10.7% 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 Northfield 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
Northfield (this city) 20,678 $92,000
Forest Lake 20,678 $89,879
South St. Paul 20,633 $84,472
West St. Paul 21,076 $70,738
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MN FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Northfield, MN?

What is the population of Northfield, MN? +

The population of Northfield, MN stands at 20,678 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Northfield runs $92,000, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Northfield? +

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

Northfield has a total crime rate of 1502.5 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 Northfield, MN? +

Northfield's median home value sits at $305,300, 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.