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Area data

Verndale, MN — ZIP 56481

Population: 2,255 (Census ACS)

The median home value in ZIP 56481 (Verndale, MN) is $267,067 — up 5.4% over the past year. 2 schools serve the area (NCES). FEMA's National Risk Index rates the county's overall natural-hazard risk Very Low, with winterweather the top-rated hazards. Cost of living is 10.0% below the US average (BEA, metro/state-level).

Backed by 25+ public sourcesFEMA · U.S. Census · NOAA · Dept. of Education · EPA · and more

$267,067

Median home value

+5.4%

1-year change

Very Low

Hazard risk (county)

Home values & appreciation

Median home value
$267,067
1-year appreciation
+5.4%
3-year appreciation
+8.0%
5-year appreciation
+22.9%
10-year appreciation
+82.9%
All-time peak (2026-04)
$269,363
House Price Index (state)
429.3 (+3.3% YoY)

Sources: home value index (ZIP-level) · FHFA House Price Index (state-level)

Market activity

For-sale inventory
7

Source: recent area sales and market data (ZIP-level)

Affordability

Cost of living index (Below Average)
90.0 (100 = US avg)
Electricity rate (state-level)
15.8¢/kWh
Natural gas rate (state-level)
$11.00/MCF
30-year mortgage rate (national)
6.66%
15-year mortgage rate (national)
6.00%

Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro/state-level) · EIA energy rates (state-level) · Freddie Mac PMMS (national)

Schools

Total schools
2
Elementary schools
1
Middle schools
0
High schools
1
Schools include
VERNDALE ELEMENTARY, VERNDALE SECONDARY

Source: NCES school directory, 2022-23 (school-address-based)

Natural hazards & flood risk

Overall hazard risk (county)
Very Low
Top hazards (county)
winterWeather
Notable hazard ratings (county)
coldWave: Relatively Low · drought: Relatively Low · lightning: Relatively Low · strongWind: Relatively Low · tornado: Relatively Low · wildfire: Relatively Low
Wildfire risk to homes (county)
Higher than 64% of US counties
Buildings in wildfire direct-exposure zone
72.0%
Radon potential (county)
High radon potential — EPA Zone 1 of 3
EPA Superfund (NPL) sites within 5 mi
None
Nearest Superfund site
Ritari Post & Pole (11.1 mi)
EPA recommends radon testing for every home regardless of zone.

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (county-level) · FEMA flood data (ZIP-level) · USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities (county-level) · EPA radon zones + Superfund NPL

Climate (30-year normals)

USDA plant hardiness zone
4a (extreme annual low -30 to -25°F)

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals (30-year, nearest-station) · USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)

Amenities

Airports within 30 mi
9
Nearest airport
Staples Municipal Airport (12 mi)
Hospitals nearby (~15 mi)
1,090
Hospitals include
MIZELL MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, CRENSHAW COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, CRENSHAW COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
Avg hospital rating (CMS)
3.1 / 5
Best hospital rating nearby (CMS)
5.0 / 5
Solar radiation rating
Fair (3.7 kWh/m²/day)

Sources: National Park Service · FAA airport data · CMS hospital data · DOE/NREL (proximity-based)

Migration

Net migration (county)
-43 tax filers

Source: IRS county-to-county migration data (county-level, ~12-month lag)

Housing stock

Median year housing built
1,976
Housing built before 1970
41.7%
Housing built 2000 or later
21.8%
Median annual property tax
$1,703
Mean commute to work
25 min
Households with broadband internet
68.2%

Source: Census ACS 5-year estimates (ZIP-level)

Employment & development

Total county employment
4,123
Average weekly wage
$924
Top industries (by employment)
Wholesale Trade, Accommodation & Food, Construction
Annual residential building permits (county)
48

Sources: BLS QCEW (county-level) · Census Building Permits (county-level)

How it compares

ZIP 56481State medianUS median
Median home value$267,067$304,931$289,727
Median annual property tax$1,703$2,128$2,006

State and US medians are computed across all US ZIP codes with sufficient public-data coverage, from the same sources as the figures above.

Area data compiled from public government, academic, and industry research feeds. Data sources →

Common questions

What is the median home value in ZIP 56481?
$267,067.
What is the natural-hazard risk in ZIP 56481?
Overall risk: Very Low (FEMA NRI, county-level). Top hazards: winterWeather.
What is the wildfire risk in ZIP 56481?
Risk to homes is higher than 64% of US counties (USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities, county-level).
What is the radon potential in ZIP 56481?
High radon potential — EPA Zone 1 of 3, county-level. EPA recommends testing every home regardless of zone.
Are there Superfund sites near ZIP 56481?
No current or proposed National Priorities List sites within 5 miles (EPA).
How many schools serve ZIP 56481?
2 schools (1 elementary, 1 high) (NCES, 2022-23).
What is the cost of living in ZIP 56481?
Regional Price Parity: 90.0 (100 = US average) (Below Average) (BEA RPP, metro/state-level).

Nearby ZIP codes

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Data last updated

Most recent source refresh: Sep 2026. See all data sources →

Data compiled by REAIGENT7 — AI listing platform for real estate agents