Elk River, Minnesota
Among the top 24% of US places for weather.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade D, better than 15% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade B+, better than 76% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade B, better than 64% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade B, better than 53% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade C, better than 46% of US places
- bottom 13% for estimated total tax burden
Elk River is a mid-size city in Minnesota with about 26,000 residents. It grades B+ for weather and D for affordability. Standout strengths include airport distance, comfortable days, and summer humidity. It rates lower on income tax and estimated total tax burden.
Official websiteelkrivermn.gov (opens in new tab)
Climate
Warm summers · Harsh winters · Moderate rain · Snowy
freezing
v.cold
cool
comf.
warm
comf.
cool
v.cold
freez.
71%49%clearovercast
Precipitation 4.3 in0.9 in
humid 67%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$96k83rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$52kbetter than 27% of US places
Home Value$306k78th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$1kbetter than 25% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$2kbetter than 25% of US places
Property Tax Rate1.19%better than 39% of US places
Income Tax9.90%better than 14% of US places
Sales Tax8.04%better than 40% of US places
Estimated total tax burden16.36%better than 13% of US places
Unemployment2.0%better than 68% of US places
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)15°F4th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)72°F26th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation32.9 in27th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall35.7 inbetter than 26% of US places
Sunny Days234 daysbetter than 52% of US places
Summer Humidity60°Fbetter than 72% of US places
Comfortable Days94 daysbetter than 78% of US places
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk50.1better than 71% of US places
Air Quality42 AQIbetter than 69% of US places
School Quality66.1better than 61% of US places
Violent Crime641/100kbetter than 55% of US places
Property Crime1712/100kbetter than 25% of US places
Community
Population25,93694th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age35.725th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.2556th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio1.0463rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningR+3359th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)85.3%51st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)3.8%73rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)3.7%51st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)1.1%72nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)6.0%77th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time29 minbetter than 32% of US places
Walkability6.0/20better than 38% of US places
Airport Distance34 mibetter than 79% of US places
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access91.4%better than 70% of US places
Amenities Nearby24.29better than 24% of US places
Park & Nature AccessGoodbetter than 55% of US places
Similar places
Frequently asked questions
- Is Elk River an affordable place to live?
- Elk River is relatively expensive. Its cost-of-living index is $52k, better than 27% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Elk River?
- The median home value in Elk River is $306k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Elk River?
- Median household income in Elk River is $96k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Elk River?
- Median gross rent in Elk River is $1k a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Elk River safe?
- Elk River is about average for safety comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 641/100k (better than 55%). Property crime is 1712/100k.
- What is the weather like in Elk River?
- Elk River averages 72°F in July and 15°F in January, with 32.9 in of annual precipitation and about 234 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Elk River?
- Public-school quality in Elk River is above average, scoring better than 61% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Elk River?
- The average one-way commute in Elk River is 29 min.
Places near Elk River
Compare Elk River
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Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)