Living in Perham, Minnesota
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Perham · Census data 2020–2024
Perham has 3,627 residents with a median age of 33.2. The median household income is $49,716 (44% lower than the Minnesota median), the median home value is $199,000, the median rent is $855/month.
Perham at a glance
- Population
- 3,627
- Median age
- 33.2State: 38.8
- Median household income
- $49,716State: $89,062
- Median home value
- $199,000State: $329,300
- Median rent
- $855/moState: $1,280
- Homeowners
- 52.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 30%
- Average commute
- 12 min
Is Perham a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 40% lower than the state median; an average commute of 12 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 44% lower than the Minnesota median; unemployment of 8.9%; a poverty rate of 19.1%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Perham
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Perham the median home value is $199,000, 40% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $855 per month, which is 29.7% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,429 a month in housing costs.
Perham median household income
The median household income in Perham is $49,716 and the income per person is $28,927. 19.1% of residents live below the poverty line (Minnesota: 9.3%).
Housing in Perham: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 1,685
- Owner-occupied
- 52.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 47.4%
- Vacant
- 9.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1979
- Average household size
- 2.27
Perham demographics
- Population
- 3,627
- Median age
- 33.2
- Under 18
- 27%
- 65 and older
- 24%
- Households
- 1,519
- Foreign-born
- 11.6%
- Veterans
- 7.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Perham ›
Education in Perham
30% of adults 25 and older in Perham have a bachelor's degree or higher (Minnesota: 39.4%), and 5.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Perham
- Unemployment rate
- 8.9%State: 4.1%
- Average commute
- 12 minState: 23 min
- Work from home
- 5%
- Drive alone
- 74.5%
- Public transit
- 0.6%
- Walk to work
- 8.9%
- Homes with broadband
- 89.9%
Perham vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perham | 3,627 | $49,716 | $199,000 | $855 |
| Dent | 230 | $52,500 | $106,300 | $842 |
| Frazee | 1,647 | $47,016 | $172,000 | $902 |
| Vergas | 258 | $72,917 | $175,000 | $750 |
| New York Mills | 1,371 | $56,875 | $166,300 | $727 |
| Ottertail | 490 | $80,500 | $332,900 | $1,150 |
| Bluffton | 263 | $100,417 | $182,300 | $825 |
| Deer Creek | 330 | $52,273 | $120,800 | $381 |
| Detroit Lakes | 10,025 | $62,958 | $265,800 | $954 |
More for people moving to Perham
Perham ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Perham: FAQ
What is the median household income in Perham, MN?
The median household income in Perham is $49,716, 44% 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 Perham?
The median home value in Perham is $199,000, compared with $329,300 in Minnesota.
How much is rent in Perham?
The median gross rent in Perham is $855 per month, about 29.7% of household income.
Is Perham, MN a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 40% lower than the state median; an average commute of 12 minutes. Minuses: median household income 44% lower than the Minnesota median; unemployment of 8.9%; a poverty rate of 19.1%.
What is the median age in Perham?
The median age in Perham is 33.2 years (Minnesota: 38.8).
How long is the commute in Perham?
The average commute to work in Perham is 12 minutes; 5% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Perham?
The unemployment rate in Perham is 8.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Perham?
30% of adults in Perham 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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