Signals
Mankato
Baraboo
Growth
71 · Top 17%
vs74 · Top 14%
Climate
53 · Bottom 6%
vs56 · Bottom 13%
Physical resilience
82 · Top 13%
vs62 · Top 42%
Housing affordability
94 · Bottom 48%
vs97 · Top 41%
Access
58 · Bottom 19%
vs81 · Top 40%
Economic stability
77 · Top 18%
vs83 · Top 10%
Measured values
| Metric | Mankato | Baraboo | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 104,282 | 66,009 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $75,808 | $79,541 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $39,431 | $41,246 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 87/sq mi | 79/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $268,100 | $258,600 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,069 | $1,018 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 64.8% | 72.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.8% | 27.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 13.2% | 8.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 669 | 430 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 6.4 | 6.5 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 113.1% | 37.4% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 82°F | 83°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 6°F | 10°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 33.9" | 34.1" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 68 mi | 36 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 18.1 min | 24.6 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 34.0 | 41.6 | 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
Mankato
Elevated or high exposure: strong wind, tornado.
Baraboo
Elevated or high exposure: hail, inland flooding.
Full profiles: Mankato, MN Metro Area · Baraboo, WI Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology