What are the schools like in North Branch, MN?

North Branch is served primarily by North Branch Area Public Schools. The district operates 3 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 3 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 17.6:1.

What is the median household income in North Branch?

The median household income in North Branch, MN is $94,564 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 3.7%.

What is the weather like in North Branch, MN?

North Branch has an average high temperature of 22.3°F in January and 82.1°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 35.2 inches and annual snowfall averages 51.6 inches.

North Branch, MN Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is North Branch, MN affordable or expensive?

North Branch's cost of living index is 104, where 100 represents the national average. This means North Branch is 4% more expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $273,800 and the median rent is $1,085 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in North Branch, MN?

North Branch has a violent crime rate of 107.1 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 156.5 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is North Branch, MN a Good Place to Live?

North Branch is a small city of 10,968 in Minnesota, with a median household income of $94,564 and a 3.7% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 104 (US average = 100), which is 4% above the national average.

Strengths: North Branch stands out for lower-than-average crime.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include longer commutes. Whether North Branch is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All North Branch 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: 104.5

North Branch's overall cost of living index is 104.5, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in North Branch costs roughly 4% more than the average American city.

Metric	North Branch, MN	National Avg
Median Home Value	$273,800	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$1,085	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	84.0%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$94,564	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

North Branch's violent crime rate is 107.1 per 100,000 residents — 72% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

107.1 /100k

Property Crime

156.5 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

North Branch is served primarily by North Branch Area Public Schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.6:1 (slightly above the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	North Branch, MN	National Avg
School District	North Branch Area Public Schools	—
Elementary Schools	3	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	3	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	17.6:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	19.5%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	94.4%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

North Branch sees average highs of 22.3°F in January and 82.1°F in July, with 35.2 inches of annual precipitation and 51.6 inches of snow per year.

Metric	North Branch, MN
Average High — January	22.3°F
Average High — July	82.1°F
Annual Precipitation	35.2"
Annual Snowfall	51.6"

Demographics

Metric	North Branch, MN	National Avg
Population	10,968	—
Median Age	39.9	38.9
Unemployment Rate	3.7%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	30.8 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	94.0%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.5%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	1.6%	18.9%
Asian	2.0%	6.3%
Under 18	22.1%	22.2%
65 and over	15.0%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Harris, MN 6 mi Stacy, MN 8 mi Lindstrom, MN 10 mi Center City, MN 10 mi Martin Lake, MN 11 mi

ZIP Codes in North Branch

North Branch, MN is covered by 1 ZIP code:

55056

North Branch vs Other Cities

North Branch, MN vs Harris, MN North Branch, MN vs Stacy, MN North Branch, MN vs Lindstrom, MN North Branch, MN vs Center City, MN North Branch, MN vs Martin Lake, MN

Frequently Asked Questions

Is North Branch, MN affordable or expensive?

North Branch's cost of living index is 104, where 100 is the national average. That puts North Branch roughly 4% above the national average in cost. The median home price is $273,800 and median rent is $1,085/month.

What is the crime rate in North Branch, MN?

North Branch's violent crime rate is 107.1 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 156.5 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in North Branch?

Public schools in North Branch are operated by North Branch Area Public Schools. The district has 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 3 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.6:1. 19.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is North Branch, MN a good place to live?

North Branch, MN has a population of 10,968, a median household income of $94,564, and an unemployment rate of 3.7%. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in North Branch?

North Branch averages 22.3°F in January and 82.1°F in July. Annual rainfall is 35.2 inches with about 51.6 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in North Branch?

North Branch, MN is covered by 1 ZIP code: 55056.

What is the population of North Branch?

The population of North Branch, Minnesota is 10,968 with a median age of 39.9. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in North Branch?

Key numbers for living in North Branch: cost of living index 104 (100 = US average), median home $273,800, median household income $94,564, crime index 20 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare North Branch side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.