Signals
Grand Rapids
Brainerd
Growth
77 · Top 9%
vs74 · Top 13%
Climate
45 · Bottom 1%
vs49 · Bottom 2%
Physical resilience
82 · Top 13%
vs76 · Top 20%
Housing affordability
97 · Top 42%
vs86 · Bottom 28%
Access
46 · Bottom 10%
vs36 · Bottom 5%
Economic stability
33 · Bottom 24%
vs44 · Bottom 41%
Measured values
| Metric | Grand Rapids | Brainerd | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,275 | 98,678 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $68,603 | $71,384 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $37,533 | $40,807 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 17/sq mi | 33/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $225,200 | $301,000 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $988 | $953 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 83.0% | 79.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.9% | 28.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 12.2% | 10.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 297 | 865 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 6.6 | 8.8 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 167.6% | -4.9% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 77°F | 82°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | -5°F | 0°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 31.1" | 24.5" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 80 mi | 96 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 25.2 min | 24.4 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 46.9 | 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 Rapids
Elevated or high exposure: inland flooding.
Brainerd
Elevated or high exposure: tornado.
Your best match
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Grand Rapids
63
Your Score
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Area Score
Brainerd
61
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Area Score
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Full profiles: Grand Rapids, MN Micro Area · Brainerd, MN Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology