Living in Backus, Minnesota
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Backus · Census data 2020–2024
Backus has 291 residents with a median age of 45.3. The median household income is $56,250 (37% lower than the Minnesota median), the median home value is $134,700, the median rent is $720/month.
Backus is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Backus at a glance
- Population
- 291
- Median age
- 45.3State: 38.8
- Median household income
- $56,250State: $89,062
- Median home value
- $134,700State: $329,300
- Median rent
- $720/moState: $1,280
- Homeowners
- 70.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 14.8%
- Average commute
- 24 min
Is Backus a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 59% lower than the state median; unemployment of 3%.
Cons: Median household income 37% lower than the Minnesota median; an average commute of 24 minutes; a poverty rate of 17.9%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Backus
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Backus the median home value is $134,700, 60% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $720 per month, which is 16.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,344 a month in housing costs.
Backus median household income
The median household income in Backus is $56,250 and the income per person is $30,042. 17.9% of residents live below the poverty line (Minnesota: 9.3%).
Housing in Backus: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 165
- Owner-occupied
- 70.5%
- Renter-occupied
- 29.5%
- Vacant
- 32.1%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1972
- Average household size
- 2.60
32.1% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Backus has many vacation and second homes.
Backus demographics
- Population
- 291
- Median age
- 45.3
- Under 18
- 25.8%
- 65 and older
- 18.6%
- Households
- 112
- Foreign-born
- 4.5%
- Veterans
- 16.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Backus ›
Education in Backus
14.8% of adults 25 and older in Backus have a bachelor's degree or higher (Minnesota: 39.4%), and 7.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Backus
- Unemployment rate
- 3%State: 4.1%
- Average commute
- 24 minState: 23 min
- Work from home
- 7.8%
- Drive alone
- 70.3%
- Public transit
- 5.5%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 89.3%
Backus vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backus | 291 | $56,250 | $134,700 | $720 |
| Hackensack | 248 | $41,250 | $176,800 | $620 |
| Chickamaw Beach | 248 | $110,000 | $298,800 | — |
| Pine River | 906 | $43,080 | $180,400 | $700 |
| Jenkins | 508 | $74,250 | $275,000 | $1,018 |
| Akeley | 289 | $44,000 | $110,500 | $1,094 |
| Longville | 138 | $32,917 | $187,500 | $525 |
| Nevis | 496 | $60,268 | $182,000 | $595 |
| Walker | 848 | $34,375 | $261,800 | $545 |
More for people moving to Backus
Backus ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Backus: FAQ
What is the median household income in Backus, MN?
The median household income in Backus is $56,250, 37% lower than the Minnesota median of $89,062 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Backus?
The median home value in Backus is $134,700, compared with $329,300 in Minnesota.
How much is rent in Backus?
The median gross rent in Backus is $720 per month, about 16.3% of household income.
Is Backus, MN a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 59% lower than the state median; unemployment of 3%. Minuses: median household income 37% lower than the Minnesota median; an average commute of 24 minutes; a poverty rate of 17.9%.
What is the median age in Backus?
The median age in Backus is 45.3 years (Minnesota: 38.8).
How long is the commute in Backus?
The average commute to work in Backus is 24 minutes; 7.8% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Backus?
The unemployment rate in Backus is 3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Backus?
14.8% of adults in Backus have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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