Signals
Fergus Falls
Detroit Lakes
Growth
36 · Bottom 28%
vs61 · Top 32%
Climate
45 · Bottom 1%
vs49 · Bottom 2%
Physical resilience
91 · Top 3%
vs88 · Top 6%
Housing affordability
91 · Bottom 40%
vs88 · Bottom 32%
Access
57 · Bottom 18%
vs65 · Bottom 29%
Economic stability
56 · Top 44%
vs43 · Bottom 39%
Measured values
| Metric | Fergus Falls | Detroit Lakes | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,475 | 35,343 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $72,255 | $71,388 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $39,580 | $41,842 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 31/sq mi | 27/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $273,000 | $291,000 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $868 | $920 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 79.5% | 77.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.3% | 28.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 8.7% | 12.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 98 | 168 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 1.6 | 4.8 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -15.5% | 7.0% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 79°F | 79°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | -2°F | -4°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 63 mi | 51 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 22.1 min | 23.2 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 46.2 | 43.5 | 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
Fergus Falls
Elevated or high exposure: strong wind, tornado.
Detroit Lakes
Elevated or high exposure: winter weather, tornado, strong wind.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Fergus Falls
63
Your Score
—
Area Score
Detroit Lakes
65
Your Score
—
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Fergus Falls, MN Micro Area · Detroit Lakes, MN Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology