What are the schools like in Rutledge, MN?

Rutledge is served primarily by WILLOW RIVER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. The district operates 1 elementary schools, several middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.5:1.

What is the median household income in Rutledge?

The median household income in Rutledge, MN is $61,477 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 2.0%.

What is the weather like in Rutledge, MN?

Rutledge has an average high temperature of 20.1°F in January and 78.8°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 33.3 inches and annual snowfall averages 64.3 inches.

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

Q: Is Rutledge, MN affordable or expensive?

Rutledge's cost of living index is 93, where 100 represents the national average. This means Rutledge is 7% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $116,300 and the median rent is $867 per month.

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

Rutledge has a violent crime rate of 263.7 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1190.0 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Rutledge, MN a Good Place to Live?

Rutledge is a small town of 251 in Minnesota, with a median household income of $61,477 and a 2.0% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 93 (US average = 100), which is 7% below the national average.

Strengths: Rutledge 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 Rutledge is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Rutledge 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

Rutledge's overall cost of living index is 93.1, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Rutledge costs roughly 7% less than the average American city.

Metric	Rutledge, MN	National Avg
Median Home Value	$116,300	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$867	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	93.7%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$61,477	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Safer than Average

Rutledge's violent crime rate is 263.7 per 100,000 residents — 31% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

263.7 /100k

Property Crime

1190.0 /100k

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

Schools & Education

Rutledge is served primarily by WILLOW RIVER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.5:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Rutledge, MN	National Avg
School District	WILLOW RIVER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	11.5:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	7.8%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	86.7%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Rutledge sees average highs of 20.1°F in January and 78.8°F in July, with 33.3 inches of annual precipitation and 64.3 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Rutledge, MN
Average High — January	20.1°F
Average High — July	78.8°F
Annual Precipitation	33.3"
Annual Snowfall	64.3"

Demographics

Metric	Rutledge, MN	National Avg
Population	251	—
Median Age	50.7	38.9
Unemployment Rate	2.0%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	22.4 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	93.6%	59.3%
Black or African American	5.6%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	0.8%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	23.5%	22.2%
65 and over	17.9%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Finlayson, MN 4 mi Willow River, MN 5 mi Askov, MN 7 mi Denham, MN 8 mi Sandstone, MN 9 mi

ZIP Codes in Rutledge

Rutledge, MN is covered by 1 ZIP code:

55795

Rutledge vs Other Cities

Rutledge, MN vs Finlayson, MN Rutledge, MN vs Willow River, MN Rutledge, MN vs Askov, MN Rutledge, MN vs Denham, MN Rutledge, MN vs Sandstone, MN

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rutledge, MN affordable or expensive?

Rutledge's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average. That makes Rutledge roughly 7% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $116,300 and median rent is $867/month.

What is the crime rate in Rutledge, MN?

Rutledge's violent crime rate is 263.7 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1190.0 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Rutledge?

Public schools in Rutledge are operated by WILLOW RIVER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.5:1. 7.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Rutledge, MN a good place to live?

Rutledge, MN has a population of 251, a median household income of $61,477, and an unemployment rate of 2.0%. 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.

What is the weather like in Rutledge?

Rutledge averages 20.1°F in January and 78.8°F in July. Annual rainfall is 33.3 inches with about 64.3 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Rutledge?

Rutledge, MN is covered by 1 ZIP code: 55795.

What is the population of Rutledge?

The population of Rutledge, Minnesota is 251 with a median age of 50.7. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Rutledge?

Key numbers for living in Rutledge: cost of living index 93 (100 = US average), median home $116,300, median household income $61,477, crime index 64 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Rutledge side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.