City profile · Minnesota · Census ACS 2023

Sleepy Eye, MN

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

3,438
Residents
$64,811
Median income
$138,500
Median home
$973
Median rent (state)

Sleepy Eye - the verdict

Sleepy Eye ranks in the 43rd percentile for household income and the 78th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

43rd
percentile, household income
23rd
percentile, home value
12th
percentile, median rent
78th
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: Sleepy Eye, MN

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 3,438 residents in Sleepy Eye, a small town within Minnesota. Median household income here is $64,811 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 6.3%. Sleepy Eye's housing stock carries a median value of $138,500, and the median resident age is 41.7 years. 21.0% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 65.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 3 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 50% from five years earlier. Sleepy Eye reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 658.0 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not 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). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $973 monthly. 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 50.4 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Low).

Population

3,438 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Minnesota

Median Household Income

$64,811 /yr

Poverty 6.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

98.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Minnesota average

How does Sleepy Eye compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 43% higher than other cities
Home value 23% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% pricier than other cities
Safety 78% 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, Sleepy Eye ranks #94 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 Sleepy Eye'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.

43rdIncome percentile
78thSafety percentile

43rd percentile nationally for median household income · 78th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Sleepy Eye's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Sleepy Eye'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 68 Avg. percentile National median
Sleepy Eye'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 Sleepy Eye's home value compares nationally

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

$138,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 77% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Sleepy Eye $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 - Sleepy Eye, MN Sleepy Eye, MN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Sleepy Eye, 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 Sleepy Eye, MN median $64,811/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%
Sleepy Eye, 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 Sleepy Eye, MN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 21.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 65.5%

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

Population
3,438
Median Income
$64,811
Median Home Value
$138,500
Median Age
41.7
Poverty Rate
6.3%
Labor force participation
65.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
21.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
658.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
114.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
543.6
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 →
3,400 residents3,420 residents3,440 residents3,460 residents3,480 residents3,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,443 residents 3,461 residents ▲ +0.5%
Sleepy Eye's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
3
housing units authorized
Single-Family
3
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 2
2020 2
2021 2
2022 44
2023 3
2024 3

Permit volume increased 50% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
87.0%
Carpool
2.8%
Public Transit
1.1%
Walk
3.0%
Work from Home
5.0%
Other
1.1%

Based on 1,790 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 Sleepy Eye 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
50.4 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Minnesota

Benson
3,449 people
Eveleth
3,470 people
Hanover
3,495 people
Plainview
3,501 people
Breckenridge
3,369 people
Montgomery
3,366 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Sleepy Eye's 3,438 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Wallace, NC
3,438 people
Dennis Port, MA
3,439 people
West Nyack, NY
3,437 people
Somerville, TN
3,439 people
West Point, VA
3,439 people
Tashua, CT
3,436 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Sleepy Eye's $64,811 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Harwich Port, MA
$64,813 median income
Greenehaven, AZ
$64,818 median income
Heidelberg, PA
$64,804 median income
Preston, TX
$64,803 median income
Burwell, NE
$64,821 median income
Pueblitos, NM
$64,821 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Sleepy Eye, 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 Sleepy Eye, MN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 89.0% 7.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 14.6% White 89.0% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.6% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.5% Two or more races 7.9% 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 Sleepy Eye 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
Sleepy Eye (this city) 3,438 $64,811
Benson 3,449 $51,124
Eveleth 3,470 $47,721
Hanover 3,495 $147,944
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MN FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Sleepy Eye, MN?

What is the population of Sleepy Eye, MN? +

The population of Sleepy Eye, MN stands at 3,438 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Sleepy Eye, MN? +

Median annual household income in Sleepy Eye runs $64,811, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Sleepy Eye? +

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

Sleepy Eye has a total crime rate of 658.0 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 Sleepy Eye, MN? +

Sleepy Eye's median home value sits at $138,500, 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.