Cost Of Living
Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.
Crime
This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.
Housing
Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.
Health & Safety
Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.
Amenities
The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.
Commute
Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.
Employment
This area earns a low score in the employment category due to low household income levels and high unemployment rates, which may pose challenges in seeking job opportunities.
Located in the state of Minnesota, St. James is a small city with a population of 4,414 residents. According to the most recent Census, 82% of St. James residents are White, 0% Black and 0% Asian. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of St. James are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 31% of the population also speak Spanish. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, St. James is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 18 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Are you trying to decide if living in St. James is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a fulfilling experience before relocating to any new city in Minnesota, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. Finding the best places to live in St. James and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, education, housing and other important metrics.
St. James has a livability score of 72/100 and is ranked #207 in Minnesota and #5,007 in the USA. For each of the livability categories, we see that St. James ranks very well for crime (B+), cost of living (A+), education (B-) and housing (B-). The bad news for St. James, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: amenities (F) and employment (F).
Crime rates can be the deciding factor for anyone looking to relocate to a new area, as the result is often a greater level of safety and security as well as an improved quality of life. St. James gets top scores for their low violent crime rates of 150 crimes per 100,000 residents, which are significantly lower than the national average.
The St. James unemployment rate of 2.68% 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.
Finding affordable real estate and housing in St. James can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.
Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in St. James. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in St. James are affordable. The median home price for St. James homes is $81,400, which is 57.5% lower than the Minnesota average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in St. James, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.1, which is 30% lower than the Minnesota average.
| Statistic | St. James | Minnesota | National |
| Average one way commute | 18min | 23min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 76.8% | 78.0% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 10.4% | 8.7% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.9% | 3.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.8% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 9.0% | 2.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 2.0% | 5.3% | 4.6% |
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