Dodge Center, Minnesota 5 · Jon Platek / CC BY-SA 3.0Main Street, Dodge Center, Minnesota, 1800s · Unknown Author / Public domain1911.Store in Dodge Center, Minnesota · Unknown Author / Public domain1917.Zumbro · Unknown Author / Public domain
Dodge Center is a small town of 2,831 in Minnesota, with a median household income of $76,058
and a 3.9% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 93 (US average = 100), which is
7% below the national average.
Strengths:
Dodge Center stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B+), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Dodge Center is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Dodge Center city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 93.1
Dodge Center's overall cost of living index is 93.1,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Dodge Center costs roughly 7% less than the average American city.
Metric
Dodge Center, MN
National Avg
Median Home Value
$164,400
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$883
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
80.7%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$76,058
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Dodge Center's violent crime rate is 62.1 per 100,000 residents
— 84% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
62.1 /100k
Property Crime
343.9 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Dodge Center is served primarily by TRITON SCHOOL DISTRICT.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.5:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Dodge Center, MN
National Avg
School District
TRITON SCHOOL DISTRICT
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
11.5:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
20.5%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
92.0%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Dodge Center sees average highs of 22.6°F in January
and 81.2°F in July,
with 36.3 inches of annual precipitation
and 44.4 inches of snow per year.
Dodge Center's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Dodge Center roughly 7% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $164,400 and median rent is $883/month.
Dodge Center's violent crime rate is 62.1 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 343.9 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Dodge Center are operated by TRITON SCHOOL DISTRICT.
The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.5:1. 20.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Dodge Center, MN has a population of 2,831, a median household income of $76,058, and an unemployment rate of 3.9%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Dodge Center averages 22.6°F in January and 81.2°F in July. Annual rainfall is 36.3 inches
with about 44.4 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Dodge Center, MN is covered by 1 ZIP code: 55927.
The population of Dodge Center, Minnesota is 2,831 with a median age of 36.6. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Dodge Center: cost of living index 93 (100 = US average), median home $164,400, median household income $76,058, crime index 16 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Dodge Center side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
