Ham Lake 69 Good
Ham Lake Livability #358 ranked city in Minnesota#8,400 ranked city in the USARanks better than 71% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Ham Lake

PROS
  • Crime Crime

    The crime rate is far lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. As such, it should be considered a very safe place to live when compared to other areas.

  • Employment Employment

    This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.

  • Housing 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.

  • Schools 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.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

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

  • Commute Commute

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

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    A low health and safety score may be attributed to factors such as subpar air quality and the unavailability of certain health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies.

What's it like Living in Ham Lake?

Located in the state of Minnesota, Ham Lake is a medium-sized city with a population of 17,046 people. If we look at the most recent Census, Ham Lake is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Asian and Black. When traveling to work, spending unnecessary time in your vehicle is not ideal and downright frustrating. Across all of America, the average one way commute time is 26 minutes, unfortunately, living in Ham Lake offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 31 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Ham Lake could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Minnesota if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like health & safety, education, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Ham Lake and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Ham Lake to Minnesota and the national average.

The livability score in Ham Lake is 69 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 72nd percentile of all cities across America. There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Ham Lake ranks well for crime (B+), education (A) and housing (A+) There are some categories that Ham Lake scores poorly for, including: amenities (F) and cost of living (D-). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.

The unemployment rate in Ham Lake has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 1.8%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

Test scores serve as a vital gauge of a school's academic prowess and the proficiency of its students. They play a pivotal role in assessing whether local schools can deliver a robust educational foundation for children. In Ham Lake, the schools boast an impressive average test score of 76%, significantly higher than the national average. This outstanding academic achievement not only reflects the excellence of the local educational system, but also indicates the potential for students to thrive academically, making it an attractive destination for families seeking a high-quality education for their children.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Ham Lake has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Ham Lake is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Ham Lake come in at $570,544, which is 68.3% higher than the Minnesota average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Ham Lake, the home price to income ratio is 3.9, which is 5.4% higher than the Minnesota average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Ham Lake

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Compare Ham Lake, MN Livability

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      Ham Lake transportation information

      Statistic Ham Lake Minnesota National
      Average one way commute31min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work85.6%78.0%76.4%
      Workers who carpool4.8%8.7%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.4%3.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.8%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.4%2.8%2.8%
      Working from home6.9%5.3%4.6%
      Source: The Ham Lake, MN data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.