55056 and 55008 receive effectively the same standardized Area Score. Which fits you better depends on which dimensions you weight — the differences below are where they actually diverge.
Signals
55056
55008
Opportunity
39 · Bottom 19%
vs32 · Bottom 11%
Growth
64 · Top 26%
vs80 · Top 4%
Climate
50 · Bottom 1%
vs51 · Bottom 1%
Physical resilience
67 · Top 39%
vs62 · Top 45%
Housing affordability
95 · Top 21%
vs93 · Top 25%
Schools
53 · Top 49%
vs60 · Top 39%
Access
74 · Bottom 16%
vs71 · Bottom 12%
Economic stability
78 · Top 15%
vs66 · Top 37%
Measured values
| Metric | 55056 | 55008 | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,753 | 16,729 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $95,679 | $84,513 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $46,415 | $39,930 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 148/sq mi | 167/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $331,300 | $290,700 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,314 | $1,325 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 85.1% | 75.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8% | 5.5% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -2.0% | -2.0% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 21.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 6.8% | 8.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 88 | 241 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 7.6 | 23.4 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -6.4% | 391.8% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 82°F | 82°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 1°F | 4°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 33.8" | 29.7" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 45 mi | 48 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 32.8 min | 33.2 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 41.1 | 40.1 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 7 | 8 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 17.58 | 18.32 | 2024-25 school year |
| Math proficiency | 52.4% | 51.5% | 2019-20 school year |
| Reading proficiency | 51.1% | 59.0% | 2019-20 school year |
| Free or reduced-price lunch eligibility | 30.0% | 34.1% | 2024-25 school year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
55056
Elevated or high exposure: hail, strong wind.
55008
Elevated or high exposure: strong wind.
Full profiles: 55056 — North Branch, MN · 55008 — Cambridge, MN · How this is calculated: methodology