Signals
Faribault-Northfield
Columbus
Growth
49 · Bottom 48%
vs37 · Bottom 30%
Climate
52 · Bottom 5%
vs68 · Top 44%
Physical resilience
51 · Bottom 45%
vs59 · Top 46%
Housing affordability
90 · Bottom 37%
vs100 · Top 27%
Access
80 · Top 44%
vs78 · Top 46%
Economic stability
81 · Top 13%
vs84 · Top 9%
Measured values
| Metric | Faribault-Northfield | Columbus | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,917 | 83,536 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $83,181 | $79,901 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $38,682 | $41,608 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 137/sq mi | 205/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $320,200 | $232,800 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,083 | $1,127 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 76.3% | 69.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.2% | 34.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 10.2% | 10.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 96 | 150 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 1.4 | 1.8 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 5.5% | -30.6% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 82°F | 86°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 5°F | 22°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 35.5" | 43.1" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 37 mi | 41 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 23.8 min | 23.0 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 37.1 | 37.5 | 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
Faribault-Northfield
Elevated or high exposure: strong wind, hail, tornado.
Columbus
Elevated or high exposure: tornado, earthquake.
Your best match
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Faribault-Northfield
67
Your Score
—
Area Score
Columbus
71
Your Score
68
Area Score
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Full profiles: Faribault-Northfield, MN Micro Area · Columbus, IN Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology