City profile · Minnesota · Census ACS 2023

Orono, MN

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

8,205
Residents
$181,875
Median income
$952,400
Median home
$1,709
Median rent (state)

Orono - the verdict

Nationally, Orono sits in the 97th percentile for household income and the 83rd percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

97th
percentile, household income
97th
percentile, home value
68th
percentile, median rent
83rd
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: Orono, MN

Minnesota's Orono is a small town, with 8,205 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Orono households earn a median of $181,875 annually, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 3.1%. Home values in Orono run a median of $952,400, and the median resident age is 47.2 years. Educational attainment runs 68.9% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 66.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 27 residential building permits were authorized in Orono (Construction Slowdown), down 47% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Orono reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 543.7 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not 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. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,709 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Minnesota run around $225, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 98.3 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

8,205 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Minnesota

Median Household Income

$181,875 /yr

Poverty 3.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

98.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Minnesota average

How does Orono compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 97% higher than other cities
Home value 97% pricier than other cities
Median rent 68% pricier than other cities
Safety 83% 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, Orono ranks #75 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 Orono against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Minnesota only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Minnesota-relative analysis

Median Home Value is Orono's strongest outlier among Minnesota cities

Among the 774 Minnesota cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Orono ranks #7 - the 99th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Orono only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#10 of 775
99th percentile in Minnesota
Median Gross Rent
#1 of 785
77th percentile in Minnesota
Median Home Value
#7 of 774
99th percentile in Minnesota
Poverty Rate
#529 of 785
32nd percentile in Minnesota
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#15 of 784
98th 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.

97thIncome percentile
83rdSafety percentile

97th percentile nationally for median household income · 83rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Orono's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Orono'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 66 Avg. percentile National median
Orono'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 Orono's home value compares nationally

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

$952,400 3rd percentile more affordable than 3% 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%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Orono $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 - Orono, MN Orono, MN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Orono, 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 Orono, MN median $181,875/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%
Orono, 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 Orono, MN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 68.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 3.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 66.0%

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

Population
8,205
Median Income
$181,875
Median Home Value
$952,400
Median Age
47.2
Poverty Rate
3.1%
Labor force participation
66.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
68.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
543.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
52.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
490.9
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.

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
8,100 residents8,150 residents8,200 residents8,250 residents8,300 residents8,350 residents 202020212022202320242025 8,298 residents 8,301 residents ▲ +0.0%
Orono's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
27
housing units authorized
Single-Family
27
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
3.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 51
2020 33
2021 48
2022 55
2023 43
2024 27

Permit volume decreased 47% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
63.0%
Carpool
1.7%
Public Transit
0.1%
Walk
0.7%
Work from Home
31.2%
Other
3.3%

Based on 4,000 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 Orono sits in

Cost of Living Index
98.6
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,709/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
98.3 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Minnesota

New Prague
8,195 people
St. Francis
8,279 people
Mahtomedi
8,108 people
Waite Park
8,341 people
Albertville
8,066 people
Wyoming
8,063 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Orono's 8,205 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Croton-on-Hudson, NY
8,205 people
Bellevue, OH
8,201 people
Sans Souci, SC
8,199 people
McGregor, FL
8,198 people
Winooski, VT
8,198 people
Franklin, VA
8,212 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Orono's $181,875 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Sunnyvale, CA
$181,862 median income
Union Hill-Novelty Hill, WA
$181,820 median income
Village of Grosse Pointe Shores, MI
$182,000 median income
Woodbury, NY
$181,667 median income
Briarcliffe Acres, SC
$182,083 median income
Gotha, FL
$181,645 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Orono, 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 Orono, MN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 86.8% 6.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.4% White 86.8% Black or African American 0.1% Asian 6.0% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 3.9% Two or more races 3.2% 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 Orono 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
Orono (this city) 8,205 $181,875
New Prague 8,195 $98,424
St. Francis 8,279 $101,875
Mahtomedi 8,108 $132,326
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MN FBI UCR Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Orono, MN?

What is the population of Orono, MN? +

Orono, MN has a population of 8,205 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Orono households earn a median of $181,875 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Orono? +

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

Orono has a total crime rate of 543.7 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 Orono, MN? +

The median home value in Orono is $952,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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