City profile · Minnesota · Census ACS 2023

Staples, MN

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

2,359
Residents
$51,506
Median income
$119,300
Median home
$1,016
Median rent (state)

Staples - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Staples places in the 22nd percentile for household income and the 39th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

22nd
percentile, household income
17th
percentile, home value
21st
percentile, median rent
39th
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: Staples, MN

Staples is a small town in Minnesota, home to 2,359 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $51,506 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 21.9%. Home values in Staples run a median of $119,300, and the median resident age is 41.5 years. Educational attainment runs 22.3% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 51.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 12 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 71% from five years earlier. Staples reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1709.4 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: the state registers 98.6 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Near Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,016 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $225 across Minnesota, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 12.9 out of 100 (Very Low).

Population

2,359 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Minnesota

Median Household Income

$51,506 /yr

Poverty 21.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

98.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Minnesota average

How does Staples compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 22% higher than other cities
Home value 17% pricier than other cities
Median rent 21% pricier than other cities
Safety 39% 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, Staples ranks #173 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

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

Minnesota-relative analysis

Poverty Rate is Staples's strongest outlier among Minnesota cities

Among the 785 Minnesota cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Staples ranks #32 - the 96th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Staples only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#650 of 775
16th percentile in Minnesota
Median Gross Rent
#448 of 785
42nd percentile in Minnesota
Median Home Value
#560 of 774
28th percentile in Minnesota
Poverty Rate
#32 of 785
96th percentile in Minnesota
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#341 of 784
56th 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.

22ndIncome percentile
39thSafety percentile

22nd percentile nationally for median household income · 39th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Staples's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Staples'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 47 Avg. percentile National median
Staples'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 Staples's home value compares nationally

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

$119,300 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. Staples $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 - Staples, MN Staples, MN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Staples, 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 Staples, MN median $51,506/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%
Staples, 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 Staples, MN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 22.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 21.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 51.3%

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

Population
2,359
Median Income
$51,506
Median Home Value
$119,300
Median Age
41.5
Poverty Rate
21.9%
Labor force participation
51.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
22.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1709.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
164.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1545.0
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
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,950 residents3,000 residents3,050 residents3,100 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,020 residents 3,074 residents ▲ +1.8%
Staples's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
12
housing units authorized
Single-Family
2
detached homes
Multifamily
10
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
5.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 42
2020 1
2021 31
2022 8
2023 11
2024 12

Permit volume decreased 71% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
73.5%
Carpool
17.4%
Public Transit
1.8%
Walk
1.9%
Work from Home
5.5%

Based on 844 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 Staples sits in

Cost of Living Index
98.6
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,016/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
12.9 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Minnesota

Excelsior
2,359 people
Spring Valley
2,357 people
Madelia
2,380 people
Lauderdale
2,386 people
Wells
2,317 people
Arlington
2,298 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Staples's 2,359 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Manahawkin, NJ
2,359 people
Coventry Lake, CT
2,358 people
Coal Creek, CO
2,357 people
Kualapuu, HI
2,357 people
Kinder, LA
2,361 people
Argentine, MI
2,357 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Staples's $51,506 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Woodbury, TN
$51,506 median income
McNary, LA
$51,500 median income
Meridian Station, MS
$51,500 median income
Dallas, WI
$51,500 median income
Utica, NY
$51,513 median income
Seymour, MO
$51,497 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Staples, 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 Staples, MN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 95.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.6% White 95.7% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 3.8% 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 Staples 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
Staples (this city) 2,359 $51,506
Excelsior 2,359 $108,611
Spring Valley 2,357 $64,500
Madelia 2,380 $77,500
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MN FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Staples, MN?

What is the population of Staples, MN? +

Staples, MN counts 2,359 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Staples, the typical household earns $51,506 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Staples? +

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

Staples has a total crime rate of 1709.4 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 Staples, MN? +

Homes in Staples carry a median value of $119,300, 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.