The Town FilesPark Rapids, Minnesota
City in Hubbard County · population 4,142 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $227,500
- Household income
- $44,747
- Jan low / Jul high
- -3° / 80°
- Snow a year
- 52 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 13
- Median age
- 45.8
Park Rapids is a city of 4,142 people in Hubbard County, Minnesota. The median home is worth $227,500, below the typical Minnesota town ($301,800). It ranks better for cycling than 97% of Minnesota towns, hipper than 93% of Minnesota towns, more walkable than 88% of Minnesota towns.
How Park Rapids ranks
Percentile among Minnesota towns with at least 500 people on The Town Files lifestyle rankings. 50 is typical for the state; 90 means better than 90% of Minnesota towns.
Homes and cost of living
The median home in Park Rapids is worth $227,500, below the typical Minnesota town ($301,800). Homes cost about 5.1 times the median household income of $44,747, which is more affordable than 4% of Minnesota towns. Median rent is $825 a month. 54.6% of households own their home.
| Housing | Park Rapids | Typical Minnesota town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $227,500 | $301,800 |
| Median rent | $825 | $991 |
| Median household income | $44,747 | $87,375 |
| Home value ÷ income | 5.1× | 3.4× |
| Homeownership | 54.6% | 88.6% |
| Median year built | 1979 | 1979 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 3.2% | — |
Who lives in Park Rapids
| People | Park Rapids | Typical Minnesota town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.8 | 42.7 |
| Age 65 and over | 28.3% | 20.0% |
| Under 18 | 21.9% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.0% | 26.2% |
| Below the poverty line | 21.2% | 6.9% |
| Veterans | 5.3% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 1.7% | — |
| Work from home | 9.9% | 11.1% |
| Average commute | 25.9 min | 24.5 min |
| Homes with broadband | 86.5% | 90.2% |
Weather in Park Rapids
July highs average 80.2°F and January lows -2.8°F. About 23.9 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 51.6 inches of snow (typical Minnesota town: 47.0 in). Expect about 5 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 186 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
13 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Park Rapids since 1950, compared with 14 for the typical Minnesota town. 3 rated (E)F2 or stronger. The strongest, an EF3, struck on June 6, 2008 about 4.7 miles from the town center. The most recent was on October 9, 2021.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 43 times; the largest was 3.50 inches on July 2, 1989.
Severe weather in Hubbard County since 1996
Hubbard County has been included in 10 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for flood, drought, hurricane.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| April 7, 2020 | Biological | DR-4531: Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3453: Covid-19 |
| April 9, 2009 | Severe Storm | DR-1830: Severe Storms And Flooding |
| September 13, 2005 | Hurricane | EM-3242: Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| June 14, 2002 | Severe Storm | DR-1419: Severe Storms, Flooding And Tornadoes |
Jobs and pay in Hubbard County
Hubbard County had 6,263 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $46,510 a year. Unemployment was 4.3% in 2023; in Park Rapids itself the ACS puts it at 8%.
Public schools in Park Rapids
6 public schools with 1,655 students, about 12.9 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| PARK RAPIDS AREA CENTURY ELEMENTARY | PK-4 | 682 | 12.4 |
| PARK RAPIDS SENIOR HIGH | 9-12 | 457 | 13.1 |
| PARK RAPIDS AREA CENTURY MIDDLE | 5-8 | 442 | 13.0 |
| HEADWATERS EDUC LEARNING PROGRAM | 9-12 | 52 | 26.0 |
| Century Middle School Within A Sch | 5-8 | 22 | 11.0 |
| Frank White Education Center | PK-PK | — | — |
Towns near Park Rapids
- Todd, MN3.2 mi · 1,464 people · home $294,400
- Henrietta, MN4.7 mi · 1,514 people · home $296,000
- Straight River, MN5.7 mi · 788 people · home $248,800
- Hubbard, MN6.1 mi · 770 people · home $324,500
- Arago, MN7.2 mi · 606 people · home $376,000
- Osage, MN7.5 mi · 885 people · home $273,900
- Nevis, MN9.3 mi · 1,143 people · home $341,000
- Lake Emma, MN9.5 mi · 965 people · home $440,500
Park Rapids questions
Is Park Rapids, Minnesota a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Park Rapids scores better for retirees than 37% of Minnesota towns and quieter than 11%. 28.3% of residents are 65 or older (median age 45.8).
How much does a house cost in Park Rapids?
The median owner-occupied home in Park Rapids is valued at $227,500 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $44,747, so homes cost about 5.1 times income. Median rent is $825 a month.
What is the weather like in Park Rapids?
July highs average 80.2°F and January lows -2.8°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 23.9 inches of precipitation a year and 51.6 inches of snow.
Does Park Rapids get tornadoes?
13 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Park Rapids since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was an EF3 on June 6, 2008. The typical Minnesota town has had 14.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)