Signals
Detroit Lakes
Grand Rapids
Growth
61 · Top 32%
vs77 · Top 9%
Climate
49 · Bottom 2%
vs45 · Bottom 1%
Physical resilience
88 · Top 6%
vs82 · Top 13%
Housing affordability
88 · Bottom 32%
vs97 · Top 42%
Access
65 · Bottom 29%
vs46 · Bottom 10%
Economic stability
43 · Bottom 39%
vs33 · Bottom 24%
Measured values
| Metric | Detroit Lakes | Grand Rapids | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 35,343 | 45,275 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $71,388 | $68,603 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $41,842 | $37,533 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 27/sq mi | 17/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $291,000 | $225,200 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $920 | $988 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 77.2% | 83.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.0% | 25.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 12.9% | 12.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 168 | 297 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 4.8 | 6.6 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 7.0% | 167.6% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 79°F | 77°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | -4°F | -5°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 51 mi | 80 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 23.2 min | 25.2 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 43.5 | 46.9 | 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
Detroit Lakes
Elevated or high exposure: winter weather, tornado, strong wind.
Grand Rapids
Elevated or high exposure: inland flooding.
Your best match
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Detroit Lakes
65
Your Score
—
Area Score
Grand Rapids
63
Your Score
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Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Detroit Lakes, MN Micro Area · Grand Rapids, MN Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology