What are the schools like in Northfield, MN?

Northfield is served primarily by NORTHFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. The district operates 5 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 3 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.5:1.

What is the median household income in Northfield?

The median household income in Northfield, MN is $83,125 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 6.2%.

What is the weather like in Northfield, MN?

Northfield has an average high temperature of 23.2°F in January and 82.0°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 35.5 inches and annual snowfall averages 43.3 inches.

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

Q: Is Northfield, MN affordable or expensive?

Northfield's cost of living index is 98, where 100 represents the national average. This means Northfield is 2% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $286,900 and the median rent is $955 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Northfield, MN?

Northfield has a violent crime rate of 151.7 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1350.8 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Northfield, MN a Good Place to Live?

Northfield is a small city of 20,518 in Minnesota, with a median household income of $83,125 and a 6.2% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 98 (US average = 100), which is 2% below the national average.

Strengths: Northfield stands out for lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (A-), a well-educated population, short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Northfield is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Northfield 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: 98.3

Northfield's overall cost of living index is 98.3, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Northfield costs roughly 2% less than the average American city.

Metric	Northfield, MN	National Avg
Median Home Value	$286,900	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$955	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	70.2%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$83,125	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Northfield's violent crime rate is 151.7 per 100,000 residents — 60% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

151.7 /100k

Property Crime

1350.8 /100k

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

Schools & Education

Northfield is served primarily by NORTHFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.5:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Northfield, MN	National Avg
School District	NORTHFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT	—
Elementary Schools	5	—
Middle Schools	2	—
High Schools	3	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	15.5:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	52.5%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	96.7%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Northfield sees average highs of 23.2°F in January and 82.0°F in July, with 35.5 inches of annual precipitation and 43.3 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Northfield, MN
Average High — January	23.2°F
Average High — July	82.0°F
Annual Precipitation	35.5"
Annual Snowfall	43.3"

Demographics

Metric	Northfield, MN	National Avg
Population	20,518	—
Median Age	29.4	38.9
Unemployment Rate	6.2%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	19.1 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	83.3%	59.3%
Black or African American	2.4%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	6.5%	18.9%
Asian	3.9%	6.3%
Under 18	16.3%	22.2%
65 and over	16.0%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Dundas, MN 2 mi Dennison, MN 8 mi Randolph, MN 9 mi Nerstrand, MN 9 mi Elko New Market, MN 11 mi

ZIP Codes in Northfield

Northfield, MN is covered by 1 ZIP code:

55057

Northfield vs Other Cities

Northfield, MN vs Dundas, MN Northfield, MN vs Dennison, MN Northfield, MN vs Randolph, MN Northfield, MN vs Nerstrand, MN Northfield, MN vs Elko New Market, MN

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Northfield, MN affordable or expensive?

Northfield's cost of living index is 98, where 100 is the national average. That makes Northfield roughly 2% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $286,900 and median rent is $955/month.

What is the crime rate in Northfield, MN?

Northfield's violent crime rate is 151.7 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1350.8 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Northfield?

Public schools in Northfield are operated by NORTHFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. The district has 5 elementary, 2 middle, and 3 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.5:1. 52.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Northfield, MN a good place to live?

Northfield, MN has a population of 20,518, a median household income of $83,125, and an unemployment rate of 6.2%. 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 Northfield?

Northfield averages 23.2°F in January and 82.0°F in July. Annual rainfall is 35.5 inches with about 43.3 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Northfield?

Northfield, MN is covered by 1 ZIP code: 55057.

What is the population of Northfield?

The population of Northfield, Minnesota is 20,518 with a median age of 29.4. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Northfield?

Key numbers for living in Northfield: cost of living index 98 (100 = US average), median home $286,900, median household income $83,125, crime index 50 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Northfield side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.