Signals
Alexandria
Detroit Lakes
Growth
63 · Top 30%
vs61 · Top 32%
Climate
50 · Bottom 3%
vs49 · Bottom 2%
Physical resilience
97 · Top 1%
vs88 · Top 6%
Housing affordability
88 · Bottom 32%
vs88 · Bottom 32%
Access
37 · Bottom 5%
vs65 · Bottom 29%
Economic stability
63 · Top 35%
vs43 · Bottom 39%
Measured values
| Metric | Alexandria | Detroit Lakes | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,575 | 35,343 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $79,043 | $71,388 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $44,466 | $41,842 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 62/sq mi | 27/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $321,400 | $291,000 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $927 | $920 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 76.5% | 77.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.7% | 28.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 9.0% | 12.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 316 | 168 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 8.0 | 4.8 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -21.6% | 7.0% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 80°F | 79°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 2°F | -4°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 94 mi | 51 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 21.1 min | 23.2 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 44.5 | 43.5 | 2024 ACS 5-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
Alexandria
Elevated or high exposure: tornado.
Detroit Lakes
Elevated or high exposure: winter weather, tornado, strong wind.
Your best match
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Alexandria
66
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Area Score
Detroit Lakes
65
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Area Score
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Full profiles: Alexandria, MN Micro Area · Detroit Lakes, MN Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology