Living in Heron Lake, Minnesota
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Heron Lake · Census data 2020–2024
Heron Lake has 593 residents with a median age of 45.8. The median household income is $68,000 (24% lower than the Minnesota median), the median home value is $88,600, the median rent is $833/month.
Heron Lake is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Heron Lake at a glance
- Population
- 593
- Median age
- 45.8State: 38.8
- Median household income
- $68,000State: $89,062
- Median home value
- $88,600State: $329,300
- Median rent
- $833/moState: $1,280
- Homeowners
- 83.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 19.2%
- Average commute
- 18 min
Is Heron Lake a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 73% lower than the state median; an average commute of 18 minutes; unemployment of 1.5%; a poverty rate of 9.2%.
Cons: Median household income 24% lower than the Minnesota median.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Heron Lake
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Heron Lake the median home value is $88,600, 73% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $833 per month, which is 18.9% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $842 a month in housing costs.
Heron Lake median household income
The median household income in Heron Lake is $68,000 and the income per person is $36,826. 9.2% of residents live below the poverty line (Minnesota: 9.3%).
Housing in Heron Lake: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 304
- Owner-occupied
- 83.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 16.9%
- Vacant
- 10.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1953
- Average household size
- 2.11
Heron Lake demographics
- Population
- 593
- Median age
- 45.8
- Under 18
- 14.3%
- 65 and older
- 29.8%
- Households
- 272
- Foreign-born
- 6.7%
- Veterans
- 13%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Heron Lake ›
Education in Heron Lake
19.2% of adults 25 and older in Heron Lake have a bachelor's degree or higher (Minnesota: 39.4%), and 4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Heron Lake
- Unemployment rate
- 1.5%State: 4.1%
- Average commute
- 18 minState: 23 min
- Work from home
- 4.6%
- Drive alone
- 69.9%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 11.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 89%
Heron Lake vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heron Lake | 593 | $68,000 | $88,600 | $833 |
| Okabena | 210 | $86,719 | $108,300 | — |
| Brewster | 687 | $82,583 | $152,200 | $725 |
| Lakefield | 1,507 | $71,648 | $133,800 | $770 |
| Windom | 4,799 | $74,899 | $169,700 | $806 |
| Fulda | 1,393 | $71,136 | $164,700 | $834 |
| Storden | 244 | $83,750 | $81,000 | $1,037 |
| Westbrook | 792 | $35,119 | $78,200 | $605 |
| Worthington | 13,780 | $61,797 | $210,300 | $938 |
More for people moving to Heron Lake
Heron Lake ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Heron Lake: FAQ
What is the median household income in Heron Lake, MN?
The median household income in Heron Lake is $68,000, 24% 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 Heron Lake?
The median home value in Heron Lake is $88,600, compared with $329,300 in Minnesota.
How much is rent in Heron Lake?
The median gross rent in Heron Lake is $833 per month, about 18.9% of household income.
Is Heron Lake, MN a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 73% lower than the state median; an average commute of 18 minutes; unemployment of 1.5%; a poverty rate of 9.2%. Minuses: median household income 24% lower than the Minnesota median.
What is the median age in Heron Lake?
The median age in Heron Lake is 45.8 years (Minnesota: 38.8).
How long is the commute in Heron Lake?
The average commute to work in Heron Lake is 18 minutes; 4.6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Heron Lake?
The unemployment rate in Heron Lake is 1.5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Heron Lake?
19.2% of adults in Heron Lake 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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