Crime
With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.
Employment
The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
Schools
High test scores, elevated graduation rates as well as the conveniently located elementary and high schools in this area have all contributed to the high score in the schools category.
Amenities
A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.
Commute
Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.
Big Lake, Minnesota is a mid-sized city with a population of 11,085 inhabitants. According to the most recent Census, 93% of Big Lake residents are White, 2% Black and 0% Asian. With an average age of 32 years old, Big Lake could be a great place to live for young adults as this age is well below the national average. Long, unnecessary commutes can be both frustrating and inconvenient when heading to work. Nationwide, the average one-way commute time takes 26 minutes, but regrettably, residing in Big Lake entails a longer-than-average one-way commute time, averaging 32 minutes.
If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a positive experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in Big Lake, Minnesota. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, cost of living, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Big Lake and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Big Lake to Minnesota and the national average.
Big Lake has a livability score of 79 out of 100 and is ranked #52 in Minnesota and #1,568 in the USA. This is a phenomenal score, as Big Lake ranks well in multiple categories! This city is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. Based on the scores for each individual category, Big Lake has been rewarded with high marks for crime (A+), education (A-), employment (A+) and housing (A+). The bad news for Big Lake, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: amenities (F).
Low rates of violent crime, encompassing offenses such as murder, rape, robbery and assault, contribute significantly to a safer living environment. This reduction in crime minimizes the chances of personal harm, property theft, or violent incidents. Furthermore, low crime rates can have a positive impact on property values and the overall desirability of an area. There were 55 crimes per 100,000 residents, which signifies that Big Lake boasts an impressively low violent crime rate that falls well below the national average.
The unemployment rate in Big Lake has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 0.67%. 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.
Finding affordable real estate and housing in Big Lake 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.
Assuming that Big Lake 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 Big Lake. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Big Lake are simply unattainable. The median home price for Big Lake homes is $209,900, which is 9.6% higher than the Minnesota average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Big Lake, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.4, which is 20% lower than the Minnesota average.
| Statistic | Big Lake | Minnesota | National |
| Average one way commute | 32min | 23min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 76.9% | 78.0% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 14.2% | 8.7% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.5% | 3.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.8% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.0% | 2.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 6.7% | 5.3% | 4.6% |
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