Signals
Duluth
Ottawa
Growth: Duluth is the more favorable of the two.
Growth
47 · Bottom 45%
vs29 · Bottom 18%
Climate: Ottawa is the more favorable of the two.
Climate
41 · Bottom 1%
vs59 · Bottom 21%
Physical resilience: Duluth is the more favorable of the two.
Physical resilience
90 · Top 5%
vs80 · Top 15%
Housing affordability: Ottawa is the more favorable of the two.
Housing affordability
99 · Top 32%
vs100 · Top 27%
Access: Duluth is the more favorable of the two.
Access
75 · Bottom 47%
vs70 · Bottom 39%
Economic stability: Ottawa is the more favorable of the two.
Economic stability
49 · Bottom 48%
vs59 · Top 40%
Measured values
| Metric | Duluth | Ottawa | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 280,870 | 147,181 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $71,769 | $72,230 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $40,786 | $38,977 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 33/sq mi | 68/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $222,400 | $156,400 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $990 | $908 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 72.3% | 75.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.8% | 20.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 12.7% | 13.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 778 | 110 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 2.8 | 0.7 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 21.4% | 12.2% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 77°F | 84°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | -4°F | 14°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 24.8" | 38.0" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 35 mi | 55 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 21.8 min | 26.0 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 41.5 | 42.6 | 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.
Full profiles: Duluth, MN-WI Metro Area · Ottawa, IL Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology