City profile · Minnesota · Census ACS 2023

Waseca, MN

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

9,209
Residents
$61,546
Median income
$185,600
Median home
$973
Median rent (state)

Waseca - the verdict

Waseca ranks in the 38th percentile for household income and the 57th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

38th
percentile, household income
38th
percentile, home value
12th
percentile, median rent
57th
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: Waseca, MN

Minnesota's Waseca is a small town, with 9,209 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Waseca households earn a median of $61,546 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 7.3%. Home values in Waseca run a median of $185,600, and the median resident age is 39.4 years. About 16.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 56.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 8 residential building permits were authorized in Waseca (Rapid Growth), up 33% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Waseca reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1160.6 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects 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. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $973 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Minnesota's average monthly utility costs around $225 (state average). Commute times here average 20.0 minutes, with 83.0% driving alone and 2.0% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 24.7 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

9,209 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Minnesota

Median Household Income

$61,546 /yr

Poverty 7.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

98.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Minnesota average

How does Waseca compare to other US cities?

Waseca measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 38% higher than other cities
Home value 38% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% pricier than other cities
Safety 57% 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, Waseca ranks #133 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 Waseca 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 Waseca near the bottom of Minnesota's cities

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

Median Household Income
#505 of 775
35th percentile in Minnesota
Median Gross Rent
#531 of 785
0th percentile in Minnesota
Median Home Value
#350 of 774
55th percentile in Minnesota
Poverty Rate
#296 of 785
61st percentile in Minnesota
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#520 of 784
33rd 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.

38thIncome percentile
57thSafety percentile

38th percentile nationally for median household income · 57th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Waseca's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Waseca'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 57 Avg. percentile National median
Waseca'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 Waseca's home value compares nationally

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

$185,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 62% 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. Waseca $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 - Waseca, MN Waseca, MN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Waseca, 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 Waseca, MN median $61,546/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%
Waseca, 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 Waseca, MN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 16.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 7.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 56.1%

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

Population
9,209
Median Income
$61,546
Median Home Value
$185,600
Median Age
39.4
Poverty Rate
7.3%
Labor force participation
56.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
16.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1160.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
195.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
965.4
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
10
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
9,000 residents9,100 residents9,200 residents9,300 residents9,400 residents 202020212022202320242025 9,226 residents 9,035 residents ▼ -2.1%
Waseca's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
8
housing units authorized
Single-Family
8
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 6
2020 7
2021 3
2022 15
2023 14
2024 8

Permit volume increased 33% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
20.0 minutes
Drive Alone
83.0%
Carpool
10.6%
Public Transit
0.3%
Walk
2.3%
Work from Home
2.0%
Other
1.8%

Based on 4,046 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 Waseca 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
24.7 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Minnesota

Mound
9,176 people
Little Falls
9,094 people
East Grand Forks
9,067 people
Oak Grove
9,031 people
St. Anthony city (Hennepin and Ramsey Counties)
9,516 people
Thief River Falls
8,841 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Waseca's 9,209 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Commerce, TX
9,211 people
Crozet, VA
9,211 people
Riverside, CT
9,216 people
Helena-West Helena, AR
9,218 people
Marlboro, MD
9,200 people
Park Ridge, NJ
9,218 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Waseca's $61,546 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Mount Penn, PA
$61,544 median income
Almira, WA
$61,548 median income
Campo, CA
$61,538 median income
Palmetto, FL
$61,538 median income
Cache, OK
$61,554 median income
Ashland Heights, SD
$61,538 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Waseca, 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 Waseca, MN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 84.1% 7.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 11.7% White 84.1% Black or African American 1.3% Asian 1.5% American Indian 1.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 7.6% Two or more races 4.3% 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 Waseca 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
Waseca (this city) 9,209 $61,546
Mound 9,176 $91,370
Little Falls 9,094 $46,284
East Grand Forks 9,067 $74,618
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MN FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Waseca, MN?

What is the population of Waseca, MN? +

9,209 people live in Waseca, MN according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Waseca, the typical household earns $61,546 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Waseca? +

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

Waseca has a total crime rate of 1160.6 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 Waseca, MN? +

A typical home in Waseca is worth $185,600, 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.