Best small towns to live in Minnesota

1. 1
   Dawson, MN Score 83/100

   1,513 people · typical home $138k · household income $69k · 30 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 25% of MN · 2.0% unemployment · 1 mi to a hospital

2. 2
   Elbow Lake, MN Score 79/100

   1,301 people · typical home $127k · household income $60k · 65 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 16% of MN · 4.0% unemployment · 0 mi to a hospital

3. 3
   Springfield, MN Score 76/100

   2,125 people · typical home $122k · household income $59k · 18 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 9% of MN · 5.0% unemployment · 13 mi to a hospital

4. 4
   Harmony, MN Score 73/100

   1,024 people · typical home $170k · household income $68k · 19 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 34% of MN · 3.0% unemployment · 14 mi to a hospital

5. 5
   Ada, MN Score 73/100

   1,833 people · typical home $138k · household income $64k · 43 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 14% of MN · 7.0% unemployment · 4 mi to a hospital

6. 6
   Slayton, MN Score 72/100

   2,141 people · typical home $162k · household income $62k · 88 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 18% of MN · 2.0% unemployment · 2 mi to a hospital

7. 7
   Ortonville, MN Score 72/100

   2,028 people · typical home $166k · household income $56k · 39 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 18% of MN · 2.0% unemployment · 4 mi to a hospital

8. 8
   Red Lake Falls, MN Score 72/100

   1,348 people · typical home $139k · household income $64k · 51 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 35% of MN · 2.0% unemployment · 16 mi to a hospital

9. 9
   Madison, MN Score 71/100

   1,550 people · typical home $97k · household income $61k · 30 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 64% of MN · 2.0% unemployment · 1 mi to a hospital

10. 10
    Spring Grove, MN Score 70/100

    1,177 people · typical home $156k · household income $60k · 38 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 5% of MN · 6.0% unemployment · 15 mi to a hospital

11. 11
    Luverne, MN Score 70/100

    4,925 people · typical home $208k · household income $64k · 62 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 13% of MN · 3.0% unemployment · 1 mi to a hospital

12. 12
    Madelia, MN Score 68/100

    2,327 people · typical home $165k · household income $77k · 48 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 52% of MN · 4.0% unemployment · 0 mi to a hospital

13. 13
    Cokato, MN Score 67/100

    2,782 people · typical home $223k · household income $70k · 45 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 18% of MN · 3.0% unemployment · 16 mi to a hospital

14. 14
    Lakefield, MN Score 66/100

    1,507 people · typical home $134k · household income $72k · 60 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 60% of MN · 1.0% unemployment · 9 mi to a hospital

15. 15
    Starbuck, MN Score 66/100

    1,235 people · typical home $168k · household income $73k · 60 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 39% of MN · 2.0% unemployment · 10 mi to a hospital

16. 16
    Tracy, MN Score 66/100

    2,057 people · typical home $113k · household income $68k · 169 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 41% of MN · 1.0% unemployment · 2 mi to a hospital

17. 17
    Morris, MN Score 66/100

    5,128 people · typical home $210k · household income $68k · 62 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 25% of MN · 1.0% unemployment · 1 mi to a hospital

18. 18
    Preston, MN Score 66/100

    1,362 people · typical home $186k · household income $64k · 41 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 34% of MN · 3.0% unemployment · 21 mi to a hospital

19. 19
    Cottonwood, MN Score 65/100

    1,061 people · typical home $176k · household income $98k · 169 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 18% of MN · 2.0% unemployment · 13 mi to a hospital

20. 20
    Olivia, MN Score 65/100

    2,205 people · typical home $159k · household income $63k · 75 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 43% of MN · 3.0% unemployment · 1 mi to a hospital

21. 21
    Wheaton, MN Score 64/100

    1,389 people · typical home $88k · household income $46k · 62 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 34% of MN · 4.0% unemployment · 17 mi to a hospital

22. 22
    Hector, MN Score 64/100

    1,130 people · typical home $132k · household income $63k · 41 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 56% of MN · 3.0% unemployment · 14 mi to a hospital

23. 23
    Rushford, MN Score 63/100

    1,826 people · typical home $215k · household income $77k · 10 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 45% of MN · 4.0% unemployment · 14 mi to a hospital

24. 24
    Tyler, MN Score 62/100

    1,090 people · typical home $151k · household income $66k · 46 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 47% of MN · 4.0% unemployment · 1 mi to a hospital

25. 25
    Wells, MN Score 62/100

    2,296 people · typical home $104k · household income $60k · 117 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 41% of MN · 3.0% unemployment · 20 mi to a hospital

How we ranked them

Every small town in Minnesota with 1,000–15,000 people that stands on its own (not part of a big metro core, by USDA rural-urban codes) and has solid Census data. Each town is scored against the others in Minnesota on: affordability (household income vs. home prices), safety (violent crime, FBI), schools (reading proficiency vs. other Minnesota districts), jobs (unemployment, half weight) and everyday access (distance to a hospital and a grocery store, quarter weight each). Missing numbers count as average.

The "best" town is different for everyone — weather, size, politics, things to do and more all matter too.

All places in Minnesota →