City profile · Minnesota · Census ACS 2023

Sauk Centre, MN

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

4,589
Residents
$65,763
Median income
$196,000
Median home
$973
Median rent (state)

Sauk Centre - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Sauk Centre lands in the 44th percentile for household income and the 56th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

44th
percentile, household income
42nd
percentile, home value
12th
percentile, median rent
56th
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: Sauk Centre, MN

Minnesota's Sauk Centre is a small town, with 4,589 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Sauk Centre households earn a median of $65,763 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 7.9%. Sauk Centre's housing stock carries a median value of $196,000, and the median resident age is 39.3 years. 19.9% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 64.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 9 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Slowing), down 10% from five years earlier. Sauk Centre reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 1189.0 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: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Minnesota at 98.6 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Near Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $973 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $225 across Minnesota, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 37.7 out of 100 (Very Low).

Population

4,589 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Minnesota

Median Household Income

$65,763 /yr

Poverty 7.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

98.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Minnesota average

How does Sauk Centre compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 44% higher than other cities
Home value 42% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% pricier than other cities
Safety 56% 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, Sauk Centre ranks #135 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 Sauk Centre 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 places Sauk Centre near the bottom of Minnesota's cities

Among the 785 Minnesota cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Sauk Centre ranks #531 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Sauk Centre only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#424 of 775
45th percentile in Minnesota
Median Gross Rent
#531 of 785
0th percentile in Minnesota
Median Home Value
#323 of 774
58th percentile in Minnesota
Poverty Rate
#262 of 785
66th percentile in Minnesota
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#410 of 784
47th 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.

44thIncome percentile
56thSafety percentile

44th percentile nationally for median household income · 56th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Sauk Centre's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Sauk Centre'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 58 Avg. percentile National median
Sauk Centre'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 Sauk Centre's home value compares nationally

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

$196,000 Among the most affordable more affordable than 58% 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. Sauk Centre $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 - Sauk Centre, MN Sauk Centre, MN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Sauk Centre, 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 Sauk Centre, MN median $65,763/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%
Sauk Centre, 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 Sauk Centre, MN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 19.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 7.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 64.3%

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

Population
4,589
Median Income
$65,763
Median Home Value
$196,000
Median Age
39.3
Poverty Rate
7.9%
Labor force participation
64.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
19.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1189.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
64.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1124.1
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
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
4,500 residents4,550 residents4,600 residents4,650 residents4,700 residents 202020212022202320242025 4,560 residents 4,663 residents ▲ +2.3%
Sauk Centre's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
9
housing units authorized
Single-Family
3
detached homes
Multifamily
6
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 10
2020 27
2021 6
2022 0
2023 9
2024 9

Permit volume decreased 10% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
74.5%
Carpool
6.5%
Public Transit
0.4%
Walk
8.3%
Work from Home
7.9%
Other
2.4%

Based on 2,309 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 Sauk Centre 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
37.7 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Minnesota

Nowthen
4,539 people
Rockford
4,521 people
Dilworth
4,664 people
Newport
4,460 people
Chisholm
4,731 people
St. James
4,740 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Sauk Centre's 4,589 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Waimanalo Beach, HI
4,587 people
Pinardville, NH
4,586 people
Ellisville, MS
4,593 people
New Boston, TX
4,593 people
Big Pine Key, FL
4,584 people
Butler, MO
4,594 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Sauk Centre's $65,763 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Tangelo Park, FL
$65,761 median income
Tyner, IN
$65,761 median income
Ignacio, CO
$65,759 median income
Homeland, FL
$65,769 median income
Pheasant Run, OH
$65,769 median income
Othello, WA
$65,757 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Sauk Centre, 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 Sauk Centre, MN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 91.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.1% White 91.6% Black or African American 0.5% Asian 1.1% American Indian 0.7% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.9% Two or more races 5.3% 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 Sauk Centre 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
Sauk Centre (this city) 4,589 $65,763
Nowthen 4,539 $134,491
Rockford 4,521 $82,228
Dilworth 4,664 $89,577
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MN FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Sauk Centre, MN?

What is the population of Sauk Centre, MN? +

4,589 people live in Sauk Centre, MN according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Sauk Centre, MN? +

Sauk Centre households earn a median of $65,763 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Sauk Centre? +

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

Sauk Centre has a total crime rate of 1189.0 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 Sauk Centre, MN? +

The median home value in Sauk Centre is $196,000, 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.