Signals
Grand Forks
Brainerd
Growth
60 · Top 35%
vs74 · Top 13%
Climate
45 · Bottom 1%
vs49 · Bottom 2%
Physical resilience
63 · Top 40%
vs76 · Top 20%
Housing affordability
95 · Top 49%
vs86 · Bottom 28%
Access
57 · Bottom 18%
vs36 · Bottom 5%
Economic stability
72 · Top 22%
vs44 · Bottom 41%
Measured values
| Metric | Grand Forks | Brainerd | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,628 | 98,678 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $69,836 | $71,384 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $39,465 | $40,807 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 30/sq mi | 33/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $242,500 | $301,000 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $967 | $953 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 57.3% | 79.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.8% | 28.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 12.8% | 10.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 272 | 865 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 2.6 | 8.8 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 30.8% | -4.9% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 81°F | 82°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | -3°F | 0°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 21.7" | 24.5" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 63 mi | 96 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 17.8 min | 24.4 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 33.5 | 46.8 | 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
Grand Forks
Elevated or high exposure: winter weather, hail, cold wave.
Brainerd
Elevated or high exposure: tornado.
Your best match
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Grand Forks
67
Your Score
69
Area Score
Brainerd
61
Your Score
—
Area Score
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Full profiles: Grand Forks, ND-MN Metro Area · Brainerd, MN Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology