Signals
Columbus
Faribault-Northfield
Growth
37 · Bottom 30%
vs49 · Bottom 48%
Climate
68 · Top 44%
vs52 · Bottom 5%
Physical resilience
59 · Top 46%
vs51 · Bottom 45%
Housing affordability
100 · Top 27%
vs90 · Bottom 37%
Access
78 · Top 46%
vs80 · Top 44%
Economic stability
84 · Top 9%
vs81 · Top 13%
Measured values
| Metric | Columbus | Faribault-Northfield | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 83,536 | 67,917 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $79,901 | $83,181 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $41,608 | $38,682 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 205/sq mi | 137/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $232,800 | $320,200 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,127 | $1,083 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 69.3% | 76.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.1% | 30.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 10.5% | 10.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 150 | 96 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 1.8 | 1.4 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -30.6% | 5.5% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 86°F | 82°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 22°F | 5°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 43.1" | 35.5" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 41 mi | 37 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 23.0 min | 23.8 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 37.5 | 37.1 | 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
Columbus
Elevated or high exposure: tornado, earthquake.
Faribault-Northfield
Elevated or high exposure: strong wind, hail, tornado.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Columbus
71
Your Score
68
Area Score
Faribault-Northfield
67
Your Score
—
Area Score
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Full profiles: Columbus, IN Metro Area · Faribault-Northfield, MN Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology