Signals
Fergus Falls
Willmar
Growth
36 · Bottom 28%
vs50 · Top 50%
Climate
45 · Bottom 1%
vs51 · Bottom 4%
Physical resilience
91 · Top 3%
vs92 · Top 3%
Housing affordability
91 · Bottom 40%
vs98 · Top 36%
Access
57 · Bottom 18%
vs40 · Bottom 6%
Economic stability
56 · Top 44%
vs75 · Top 19%
Measured values
| Metric | Fergus Falls | Willmar | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,475 | 44,079 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $72,255 | $76,592 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $39,580 | $38,860 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 31/sq mi | 55/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $273,000 | $243,200 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $868 | $909 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 79.5% | 72.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.3% | 27.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 8.7% | 9.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 98 | 77 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 1.6 | 1.7 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -15.5% | 6.9% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 79°F | 82°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | -2°F | 3°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 28.2" | 28.7" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 63 mi | 89 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 22.1 min | 18.5 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 46.2 | 40.0 | 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.
Willmar
Elevated or high exposure: strong wind.
Your best match
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Fergus Falls
63
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Area Score
Willmar
68
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Area Score
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Full profiles: Fergus Falls, MN Micro Area · Willmar, MN Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology