Minnesota Fishing Hall of Fame, 2016
Baxter’s story
87 years in pictures
Census counts: 169 in 1930, 8,612 in 2020. The archive holds 4 old photos and papers going back to 2005 and 4 maps from 1916 on.
- 1939Baxter is incorporated
BaxterMN
A town of 9,217, incorporated in 1939.
Population
9,217
2025 Census estimate · +6.7% since 2020
Typical home
$368K
+2.6% in a year
Household income
$71K
median
Median age
43.1
years
Jobs based here
6,978
A job hub
TownGrade
C+
#245 of 271 in MN
Is Baxter a good place to live?
Baxter grades C+ overall, 245th of 271 graded towns in Minnesota, with clear strengths and some subjects that lag. Natural-hazard risk is low. On the other side, the typical home is worth about $368K, 5.2 years of the Brainerd area’s $71K median household income. On history, just 2 of Minnesota’s 574 towns do worse. Baxter’s January low is 1°F, below both the Minnesota town median (6°F) and the median of U.S. towns (22°F). Northland Arboretum, at 280 acres with 8.7 miles of trail, is the biggest park or preserve.
What makes Baxter stand out
Where Baxter beats most towns.
A growing town
Baxter has grown 21% since 2010
7,610 counted in 2010 and 8,612 in 2020; an estimated 9,217 in 2025.
Growth hasn’t slowed: 6.7% since 2020, after 13.2% in the decade before.
U.S. Census 2010 & 2020 counts · Census Bureau estimate, July 1, 2025
How Baxter grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Minnesota), ordered by how far Baxter is from typical.
Cost of livingC−Open →Hazard riskFEMA risk higher than 18% of U.S. communities; inland flooding tops the listA−Open →HealthEssentia Health St. Joseph's Medical Center 3.6 miles awayB+Open →SafetyCOpen →SchoolsB+Open →WalkabilityEPA walkability 7.8 of 20; 6.4% of households have no car; 1.7% of workers walk, bike or ride transitBOpen →Jobs & incomeB−Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors4% conserved landB+Open →HistoryIncorporated 1939; 1 notable person born hereD−Open →Civic life2.8 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsC−Open →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
How TownRatings grades towns →
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Baxter: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Baxter, and how to reach them.
PowerCrow Wing Cooperative Power & Light Comp14.3¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterBaxter water systemNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet6 providers99% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpNot on file yetWe don’t have Baxter’s trash rules yet
Register to voteOnlineIn Minnesota you can register online until 21 days before Election Day, in person up to and including Election Day, or by mail (received 21 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereCrow Wing County ElectionsCrow Wing County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Jun 2025
ZIP codes56425, 5640156425 99% · 56401 1%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Baxter.
Baxter draws workers from Brainerd and beyond, is healthier than towns with similar incomes and has colder winter nights than nearly all U.S. towns.
OutdoorsB+
Protected land: 4.2% of Baxter
20 miles of trail wind through 5 parks and preserves. Baxter’s density of trails is 1.0 miles per square mile. Parks and preserves in the town: 5, covering 450 acres.
#57for trails in MN
| Baxter | Minnesota towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miles of trail per square mile | 1.0 miles per square mile | 0.5 | 0.4 |
| Conserved land | 4.2% | 4.7% | 4.3% |
4.2%
conserved · 563 of 13,411 acres
20 mi
of trails · 1 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Northland Arboretum | 8.7 mi | 280 |
| 2. Oscar Kristofferson Park | 0.5 mi | 16 |
| 3. Whipple Beach Recreational Area | — | 108 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
SchoolsB+
On state tests, Baxter’s schools beat 69% of Minnesota districts
Two of the 5 schools are below, and why each made the list. The public schools here belong to the Brainerd Public School District. The 4 public schools in Baxter teach 2,498 students between them.
69%of MN districts it outscoresB+School Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forestview MiddleLargest public middle schoolGrades 5–8 | Grades 5–8 | 1,626 | B+ |
| Lake Region Christian School PrivateLargest high schoolGrades PK–12 | Grades PK–12 | 293 | – |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within MN on state tests and graduation
Work & commuteJobs & income grade B−
About one in five working residents works right in Baxter
6,978 jobs are based in Baxter, 1.8 for every working resident, so most of the people who work here commute in.
About one worker in five stays in Baxter for work. Jobs in Baxter grew by 455 from 2013 to 2023, reaching 6,978. The top destinations are Brainerd (27%), Duluth (2%) and Nisswa (2%).
21%work in town
| Baxter | Minnesota towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Working residents who work in town | 21% | 9.7% | 8% |
| Work from home | 19% | 14% | 11% |
| Average trip to work | 19 minutes | 23 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Below the poverty line | 13% | 7% | 9.6% |
Where working residents work
In Baxter21%
Brainerd27%
Duluth2%
Nisswa2%
Minneapolis2%
6 mi
median commute distance
6,978
jobs based in Baxter
A job hub
jobs vs. working residents
B
Walkability grade: more walkable than 58% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade A−
Very low risk in Baxter, with inland flooding at the top
Expected losses in Baxter break down as 49% from inland flooding and 31% from cold waves. On expected storm and flood damage, Baxter sits below just over four fifths of U.S. communities. Also worth knowing: 3 flood insurance claims have been paid in the town since 2017.
18risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingCold wavesTornadoes
3
paid flood claims since 2017
2
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
HealthB+
On CDC estimates, Baxter is healthier than 73% of U.S. towns
Against the 10,569 U.S. towns with household incomes like Baxter’s, it is healthier than 90%, so its B+ isn’t only a matter of income. Within Minnesota it is less healthy than 53% of the 271 graded towns: Minnesota sets a high bar.
Among adults in Baxter, 9.9% worry about having enough food. On the CDC’s 32 measures, Baxter is ahead of Minnesota on 1 and behind on 6. Two figures for adults in the town: 29% sleep under 7 hours, 15% report frequent mental distress.
73%healthier than U.S. townsB+Health Grade
| Baxter | Minnesota towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feel lonely (CDC PLACES) | 27% | 30% | 33% |
| Sleep under 7 hours (CDC PLACES) | 29% | 30% | 36% |
| Frequent mental distress (CDC PLACES) | 15% | 16% | 17% |
| Yearly checkup (CDC PLACES) | 76% | 75% | 79% |
32 measures vs. Minnesota
1 better25 too close to call6 worse
| What stands out | Baxter | MN |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults lacking emotional support | 18.2% | 21.5% |
| More older adults who have lost all their teeth | 11.7% | 8.9% |
Essentia Health St. Joseph's Medical Center
3.6 mi away · emergency room
2 of 3
care shortages: dental, mental health
46th
percentile among MN towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
SafetyC
Crime per resident in Baxter is higher than in 73% of U.S. towns
Reported crimes fell from 245 to 174 over the last three FBI years, a drop beyond ordinary year-to-year swings.
The rate of thefts and burglaries for Baxter comes to 17.5 per 1,000 residents. For Baxter, the rate of reported violence is 1.2 per 1,000 residents.
27%of U.S. towns report more crimeCSafety Grade
| Baxter | Minnesota towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 17.5 per 1,000 residents | 8.6 | 9.9 |
| Violent crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 1.2 per 1,000 residents | 1.1 | 1.6 |
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Baxter1.2
Minnesota2.3
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Baxter17.5
Minnesota14.3
U.S.15.5
27th
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
16th
percentile among MN towns
11
violent crimes reported in 2025
163
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
Climate
Baxter has snowy winters and pleasant summers
January nights average 0.8°, colder than in 95% of U.S. towns; July afternoons average 80.3°.
About 48 inches of snow falls in a winter. The typical July afternoon high in Baxter is 80°F.
48″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter5–23°
Spring31–53°
Summer56–78°
Fall35–54°
Sep 29
typical first frost
May 8
typical last frost
+1.8°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Who lives here
A older population than Minnesota as a whole
Baxter’s age of the median resident stands at 43.1 years. People 65 and older are nearly a quarter of residents (17% statewide). It is growing: up 6.7% since 2020, to 9,217 residents (2025 estimate). Among adults 25 and older, 38% have a four-year degree or more, against 39% across Minnesota.
43.1median age · MN 38.8
| Baxter | Minnesota towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aged 65 or older | 23% | 17% | 18% |
| Under 18 | 20% | 23% | 22% |
| Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+ | 38% | 33% | 29% |
| Median age | 43.1 years | 39.9 years | 40.5 years |
BaxterMinnesotaUnited States
Ages · share of residents
13%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma3%
High school21%
Some college23%
Associate’s14%
Bachelor’s24%
Graduate15%
Women and men · all residents
52% women, 48% men
That’s an even split within the survey’s margin of ±2.8 points. Across Minnesota, 49.9% of residents are women.
| Baxter | MN | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 9.5% | 12.1% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 10.2% | 10.7% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 9% | 8.8% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 10.9% | 13% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 12.5% | 13.5% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 11.4% | 11.6% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 13.1% | 12.9% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 13.3% | 10.2% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 10% | 7% | 7% |
| No diploma | 3.4% | 6.1% | 10.4% |
| High school | 21.4% | 23.3% | 26% |
| Some college | 22.8% | 19.5% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 14.1% | 11.8% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 23.9% | 25.6% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 14.5% | 13.8% | 14.1% |
Census population estimates, 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
HousingCost of living grade C−
For cost of living, Baxter earns a C−
A home in Baxter typically sold within 11 days of listing. Zillow values the typical Baxter home at about $368,000, up 2.6% in a year, 6% above the Minnesota typical home. For households in the town, the share who live in a home they own is 63%.
$368KZillow home value
| Baxter | Minnesota towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that own their home | 63% | 75% | 73% |
| Median rent | $1,154 a month | $1,199 a month | $1,185 a month |
Typical home value
Baxter$368K
Minnesota$349K
Market temperature
11
days on market
99.9%
sale-to-list price
+2.6%
value change, 1 year
7
homes sold in May
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Baxter
20pages on Baxter
The big questions
SchoolsB+Beat 69% of MN districts · 5 schoolsSafetyC1.2 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthB+Better than MN on 1 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingC−$368K typical home · up 2.6% in a yearWork & commuteB−$71K median household income · 6,978 jobs hereNatural hazardsA−FEMA risk higher than 18% of U.S. communities · inland flooding
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
1 within 15 miles of the center of Baxter
About 4 of every 100 Baxter residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Minnesota.
A job hub
Every workday, about 6,145 people come to Baxter for work
Where Baxter’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
6,978jobs based in Baxter
21%of working residents work in town
6 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
About Baxter
City in Minnesota, United States
Baxter is a city in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 8,612 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Brainerd Micropolitan Statistical Area. Minnesota State Highways 210 and 371 are two of the main routes in the city.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Area
- 21 sq mi
- Elevation
- 1,207 ft
- ZIP code
- 56425
- Area code
- 218
Baxter’s neighbors
4 towns share a border with Baxter.
Crow Wing TownshipBrainerdFort Ripley TownshipSylvan TownshipBaxter
How the neighbors grade
| Town | MN rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baxter | #245 | C+ | C− | C | B+ | B+ |
| Crow Wing Township | — | — | C+ | — | B+ | B |
| Brainerd | #238 | C+ | B+ | C− | B+ | B− |
| Fort Ripley Township | — | — | C+ | — | B+ | B+ |
| Sylvan Township | #136 | A− | B− | — | A− | B+ |
Crow Wing Township and Fort Ripley Township have fewer than 2,500 residents, so they get subject grades but no overall grade. Crow Wing Township, Fort Ripley Township and Sylvan Township report no FBI crime data of their own. Compare Baxter with a neighbor →
Questions about Baxter
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Baxter, MN a good place to live?
Baxter grades C+ overall, better than 38% of U.S. towns and #245 of 271 in Minnesota. It grades B+ for health, C for safety and B+ for schools. Cost of living is its weak spot, with a C−.
Is Baxter, MN expensive?
Yes. Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades C−.