Signals
Grand Rapids
Detroit Lakes
Growth
77 · Top 9%
vs61 · Top 32%
Climate
45 · Bottom 1%
vs49 · Bottom 2%
Physical resilience
82 · Top 13%
vs88 · Top 6%
Housing affordability
97 · Top 42%
vs88 · Bottom 32%
Access
46 · Bottom 10%
vs65 · Bottom 29%
Economic stability
33 · Bottom 24%
vs43 · Bottom 39%
Measured values
| Metric | Grand Rapids | Detroit Lakes | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,275 | 35,343 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $68,603 | $71,388 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $37,533 | $41,842 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 17/sq mi | 27/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $225,200 | $291,000 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $988 | $920 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 83.0% | 77.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.9% | 28.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 12.2% | 12.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 297 | 168 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 6.6 | 4.8 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 167.6% | 7.0% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 77°F | 79°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | -5°F | -4°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 80 mi | 51 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 25.2 min | 23.2 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 46.9 | 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
Grand Rapids
Elevated or high exposure: inland flooding.
Detroit Lakes
Elevated or high exposure: winter weather, tornado, strong wind.
Your best match
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Grand Rapids
63
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Area Score
Detroit Lakes
65
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Area Score
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Full profiles: Grand Rapids, MN Micro Area · Detroit Lakes, MN Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology