International Falls, MN

All states·Minnesota·International Falls

Koochiching County · Duluth · population 5,498

AffordabilityShrinkingSmall-town feel
OverviewCost of livingMoving guide
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68
Rising
Momentum score · 0–100

Where International Falls stands

At or near all-time high. home values up 5.6% in the last year. population shrinking 1.3% per year.

Median home $154,568
1-year +5.6%
5-yr CAGR +6.9%
vs 5-yr peak +0.0%
Population -1.3%/yr

Home value trajectory · last 10 years

Zillow ZHVI · monthly
peak 2026-04$155k$82k$108k$134k$161k201620182020202220242026

Lifestyle scores

🚶
Walkability
25/100
Very car-dependent
Estimated from population density. Higher = denser, more amenities within walking distance.
🚉
Public transit
10/100
Transit limited
Curated list of major US transit systems + population-based estimate. Higher = real subway/rail/bus options.
💻
Remote work fit
56/100
Workable for remote workers
Composite of city size, housing cost, state tax structure, and region's remote-work track record.

Scores are heuristic estimates from population density, state, and known transit/walkable cities. Not based on a paid Walk Score / Transit Score API — see methodology for the formula.

How the momentum score breaks down

methodology →
Home YoY
77 · w22%
Home 5-yr CAGR
74 · w22%
Distance from peak
90 · w18%
Population growth
25 · w16%
Home 10-yr CAGR
66 · w10%
Long thesis

International Falls offers a $154,568 median home with +6.9% annualized 5-year appreciation. Affordability + positive trend is one of the better risk/reward setups in US residential — small downside, room to compound.

Short thesis

International Falls's population is shrinking 1.3% per year. Housing demand has to come from somewhere — if people are leaving, the buyer pool is shrinking faster than the inventory. That eventually shows up in price.

About International Falls

International Falls is a city in Koochiching County, Minnesota, with an estimated population of 5,498. It anchors the Duluth metro area. The population has contracted 1.3% per year on average since 2020. The median home value in International Falls is $154,568 as of 2026-04, up 5.6% over the last 12 months. Over the last five years, home values have averaged +6.9% annual growth, with prices at or near the 5-year peak. The composite momentum score is 68 of 100 (Rising). The market is healthy with prices supported by underlying demand.

▲ Bull case

●Affordable AND rising: median home $154,568 with positive recent direction — rare combination most of the country can’t offer.
●Healthy 5-year run: +6.9% annualized over 5 years, outpacing US inflation.
●Quiet strength: +5.6% over the trailing year — not a melt-up, but the market is bid.
●Held the highs: currently +0.0% from the 5-year peak — this market refused to give back gains.

▼ Bear case

●Net out-migration: population shrinking 1.3% per year — services, schools, and tax base will follow.
○Thin housing market: small population means fewer transactions and slower resale. Liquidity risk on exit.

Playbook

Buyer

You're not in a frenzy but you're not getting bargains either. Make a competitive offer with normal inspection terms. Don't lowball — the listing will move with or without you.

Seller

Price at fair market value; expect movement in 30-45 days. Don't get clever with terms (rent-back, contingencies) — buyers in a Rising market have options.

Investor

Appreciation tailwind exists but cash flow requires discipline on price. Run the numbers conservatively and confirm rent comps before committing.

Local safety & alerts

No active National Weather Service alerts for Koochiching County right now.

NWS active alerts (MN)Minnesota Emergency ManagementHow to prepare (NWS)

Public-safety links are official .gov sources, not curated by us. Koochiching County routes NWS alerts; check the state EM portal for non-weather emergencies.

Cities like International Falls

Litchfield, MN71 · RisingRedwood Falls, MN71 · RisingSt. Joseph, MN71 · RisingAlbert Lea, MN71 · Rising

Run the numbers for International Falls

ToolCan I afford International Falls?Income → city shortlistToolROI on a International Falls rentalCap rate, cash-on-cash, DSCRToolCompare International Falls to anywhereSide-by-side up to 3 citiesToolInternational Falls cost-of-livingEquivalent income elsewhere

Sources: Zillow ZHVI (home values), Zillow ZORI (rents), US Census ACS + place population. Updated when source agencies publish revisions.

Climate & natural-disaster risk

Winter (Jan)
22° / 4°
avg high / low
Summer (Jul)
82° / 62°
avg high / low
Sunny days/yr
198
~54% of year
Annual precip
28″ rain
45″ snow
Disaster risk (1=very low, 5=very high)
Hurricane
Very low
Tornado
High
Wildfire
Very low
Earthquake
Very low
Flood
Low

State-level averages from NOAA Climate Normals (1991-2020) and FEMA National Risk Index. City-level conditions can vary significantly within a state.

Current weather

Loading current conditions…

7-day forecast on weather.gov →

Find rentals & listings

Open current International Falls listings on the major real-estate sites.

Links open the live search on the destination site — results are always current.

Local sports teams

Major professional teams the Duluth area cheers for. Detailed stats, schedules, and player pages on intherafters.com.

Local economy & environment

Humidity
71%
Humid climate
Median household income
$84,300
Minnesota state median
Top industries (state-level)
Medical DevicesFinanceManufacturing

Humidity is annual average relative humidity (NOAA). Income is Census ACS 5-year estimate. Industries are largest employment sectors statewide (BLS); the local mix in a given city may vary.

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