Signals
Brainerd
Grand Forks
Growth
74 · Top 13%
vs60 · Top 35%
Climate
49 · Bottom 2%
vs45 · Bottom 1%
Physical resilience
76 · Top 20%
vs63 · Top 40%
Housing affordability
86 · Bottom 28%
vs95 · Top 49%
Access
36 · Bottom 5%
vs57 · Bottom 18%
Economic stability
44 · Bottom 41%
vs72 · Top 22%
Measured values
| Metric | Brainerd | Grand Forks | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,678 | 103,628 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $71,384 | $69,836 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $40,807 | $39,465 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 33/sq mi | 30/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $301,000 | $242,500 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $953 | $967 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 79.8% | 57.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.3% | 34.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 10.8% | 12.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 865 | 272 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 8.8 | 2.6 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -4.9% | 30.8% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 82°F | 81°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 0°F | -3°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 21.7" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 96 mi | 63 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 24.4 min | 17.8 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 46.8 | 33.5 | 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
Brainerd
Elevated or high exposure: tornado.
Grand Forks
Elevated or high exposure: winter weather, hail, cold wave.
Your best match
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Brainerd
61
Your Score
—
Area Score
Grand Forks
67
Your Score
69
Area Score
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Full profiles: Brainerd, MN Micro Area · Grand Forks, ND-MN Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology