Signals
Fergus Falls
Rutland
Growth
36 · Bottom 28%
vs27 · Bottom 15%
Climate
45 · Bottom 1%
vs54 · Bottom 10%
Physical resilience
91 · Top 3%
vs84 · Top 10%
Housing affordability
91 · Bottom 40%
vs96 · Top 45%
Access
57 · Bottom 18%
vs58 · Bottom 20%
Economic stability
56 · Top 44%
vs41 · Bottom 36%
Measured values
| Metric | Fergus Falls | Rutland | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,475 | 60,425 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $72,255 | $68,616 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $39,580 | $40,823 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 31/sq mi | 65/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $273,000 | $229,400 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $868 | $1,000 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 79.5% | 75.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.3% | 35.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 8.7% | 11.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 98 | 78 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 1.6 | 1.3 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -15.5% | -12.4% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 79°F | 80°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | -2°F | 8°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 28.2" | 40.3" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 63 mi | 70 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 22.1 min | 24.0 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 46.2 | 47.7 | 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.
Rutland
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Your best match
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Fergus Falls
63
Your Score
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Area Score
Rutland
60
Your Score
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Area Score
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Full profiles: Fergus Falls, MN Micro Area · Rutland, VT Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology