Detroit Lakes 78 Exceptional
Detroit Lakes Livability #91 ranked city in Minnesota#2,260 ranked city in the USARanks better than 92% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Detroit Lakes

PROS
  • Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.

  • Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety

    Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.

  • Schools

    The schools category boasts a high score thanks to factors like excellent test scores, impressive graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this area.

  • Ratings

    Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities

    A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute

    Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.

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What's it like Living in Detroit Lakes?

Detroit Lakes is a smaller city located in the state of Minnesota. The city has a population of 9,229 people. If we look at the most recent Census, Detroit Lakes is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are American Indian and Alaskan and Black. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Detroit Lakes. With an average one way commute time of only 13 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, relocating to any new town can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota could be a great experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, cost of living, commute, health & safety, education, you can easily compare the best places to live in Detroit Lakes and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Detroit Lakes to Minnesota and the national average.

Detroit Lakes has a livability score of 76/100 and is ranked #98 in Minnesota and #2,559 in the USA. Based on this score, Detroit Lakes would be considered a very livable city! Another exciting tidbit, is that Detroit Lakes ranks better than 90% of all US cities! If we explore each of the categories on their own, we see that Detroit Lakes ranks well for cost of living (A+), education (B) and housing (A-). Detroit Lakes does not rank well for the following: amenities (F). It might be wise to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

The Detroit Lakes unemployment rate of 1.98% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Detroit Lakes excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Assuming that Detroit Lakes meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Detroit Lakes. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Detroit Lakes are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Detroit Lakes come in at $188,500, which is 1.6% lower than the Minnesota average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Detroit Lakes, the home price to income ratio is 3.7, which is 23.3% higher than the Minnesota average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Detroit Lakes

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Detroit Lakes?

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Compare Detroit Lakes, MN Livability

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      Detroit Lakes transportation information

      Statistic Detroit Lakes Minnesota National
      Average one way commute13min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work76.5%78.0%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.8%8.7%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.8%3.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.8%0.8%0.6%
      Workers who walk4.7%2.8%2.8%
      Working from home8.3%5.3%4.6%
      Source: The Detroit Lakes, MN data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).