Signals
Willmar
Fergus Falls
Growth
50 · Top 50%
vs36 · Bottom 28%
Climate
51 · Bottom 4%
vs45 · Bottom 1%
Physical resilience
92 · Top 3%
vs91 · Top 3%
Housing affordability
98 · Top 36%
vs91 · Bottom 40%
Access
40 · Bottom 6%
vs57 · Bottom 18%
Economic stability
75 · Top 19%
vs56 · Top 44%
Measured values
| Metric | Willmar | Fergus Falls | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,079 | 60,475 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $76,592 | $72,255 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $38,860 | $39,580 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 55/sq mi | 31/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $243,200 | $273,000 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $909 | $868 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 72.5% | 79.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.9% | 28.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 9.1% | 8.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 77 | 98 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 1.7 | 1.6 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 6.9% | -15.5% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 82°F | 79°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 3°F | -2°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 28.7" | 28.2" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 89 mi | 63 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 18.5 min | 22.1 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 40.0 | 46.2 | 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
Willmar
Elevated or high exposure: strong wind.
Fergus Falls
Elevated or high exposure: strong wind, tornado.
Your best match
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Willmar
68
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Area Score
Fergus Falls
63
Your Score
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Area Score
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Full profiles: Willmar, MN Micro Area · Fergus Falls, MN Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology