Signals
Mitchell
Albert Lea
Growth
43 · Bottom 39%
vs36 · Bottom 28%
Climate
55 · Bottom 13%
vs53 · Bottom 6%
Physical resilience
70 · Top 29%
vs71 · Top 28%
Housing affordability
100 · Top 27%
vs100 · Top 27%
Access
55 · Bottom 17%
vs74 · Bottom 47%
Economic stability
83 · Top 11%
vs69 · Top 26%
Measured values
| Metric | Mitchell | Albert Lea | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,808 | 30,623 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $69,101 | $71,023 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $37,926 | $39,886 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 18/sq mi | 43/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $197,700 | $171,100 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $838 | $849 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 65.8% | 79.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 18.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 10.3% | 10.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 72 | 21 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 2.8 | 0.7 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -8.9% | 133.3% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 87°F | 82°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 9°F | 6°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 21.1" | 35.8" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 66 mi | 45 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 17.2 min | 21.0 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 39.5 | 44.3 | 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
Mitchell
Elevated or high exposure: tornado, cold wave.
Albert Lea
Elevated or high exposure: strong wind, tornado, cold wave.
Your best match
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Mitchell
68
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Area Score
Albert Lea
67
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Area Score
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Full profiles: Mitchell, SD Micro Area · Albert Lea, MN Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology