56542 vs 56540 — Compare ZIP Codes
Side-by-side comparison. Blue = ZIP 56542, Orange = ZIP 56540.
Quick verdict: ZIP 56542 is more affordable rent, more diverse. ZIP 56540 is wealthier, higher home values, lower poverty rate, lower unemployment, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
Quick Facts
ZIP 56542
Fosston city, MN
View full profile →- Population2,435
- Median Income$57,750
- Median Home Value$177k
- Median Rent$606
- Median Age45.0 yrs
- Poverty Rate16.6%
ZIP 56540
Fertile city, MN
View full profile →- Population1,838
- Median Income$77,500
- Median Home Value$186k
- Median Rent$742
- Median Age44.8 yrs
- Poverty Rate9.6%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Population
2,4351,838
Median Income
$57,750$77,500
Median Home Value
$177k$186k
Median Rent
$606$742
Median Age
45.0 yrs44.8 yrs
Poverty Rate
16.6%9.6%
Demographics
ZIP 56542
Fosston city, MN
View full profile →- White %92.8%
- Black %0.0%
- Asian %0.3%
- Hispanic %1.9%
- Age 0–17 %24.0%
- Age 18–64 %51.0%
- Age 65+ %25.1%
- Bachelor's+ %24.6%
- Diversity Index14/100
ZIP 56540
Fertile city, MN
View full profile →- White %95.8%
- Black %0.1%
- Asian %0.1%
- Hispanic %0.2%
- Age 0–17 %23.1%
- Age 18–64 %53.7%
- Age 65+ %23.2%
- Bachelor's+ %27.4%
- Diversity Index8/100
Visual comparison (same scale)
White %
92.8%95.8%
Black %
0.0%0.1%
Asian %
0.3%0.1%
Hispanic %
1.9%0.2%
Age 0–17 %
24.0%23.1%
Age 18–64 %
51.0%53.7%
Age 65+ %
25.1%23.2%
Bachelor's+ %
24.6%27.4%
Diversity Index
14/1008/100
Economy
ZIP 56542
Fosston city, MN
View full profile →- Median Income$57,750
- Unemployment %7.3%
- IRS Net Migration+173
- Work From Home %7.9%
ZIP 56540
Fertile city, MN
View full profile →- Median Income$77,500
- Unemployment %4.6%
- IRS Net Migration+130
- Work From Home %9.5%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Income
$57,750$77,500
Unemployment %
7.3%4.6%
IRS Net Migration
+173+130
Work From Home %
7.9%9.5%
Housing
ZIP 56542
Fosston city, MN
View full profile →- Median Home Value$177k
- Median Rent$606
- Owner Occupied %69.9%
- Broadband %82.8%
- Vacant %14.6%
- Median Year Built1971
ZIP 56540
Fertile city, MN
View full profile →- Median Home Value$186k
- Median Rent$742
- Owner Occupied %85.2%
- Broadband %86.0%
- Vacant %9.3%
- Median Year Built1962
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Home Value
$177k$186k
Median Rent
$606$742
Owner Occupied %
69.9%85.2%
Broadband %
82.8%86.0%
Vacant %
14.6%9.3%
Median Year Built
19711962
Climate & Location
ZIP 56542
Fosston city, MN
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)1,300 ft
- Nearest Airport37.5 miles (60.4 km)
- Distance to Coast177.8 miles (286.2 km)
ZIP 56540
Fertile city, MN
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)907 ft
- Nearest Airport35.3 miles (56.8 km)
- Distance to Coast201.9 miles (324.9 km)
Visual comparison (same scale)
Snow Days/Year
0 days0 days
Elevation (ft)
1,300 ft907 ft
Nearest Airport
37.5 miles (60.4 km)35.3 miles (56.8 km)
Distance to Coast
177.8 miles (286.2 km)201.9 miles (324.9 km)
Infrastructure
ZIP 56542
Fosston city, MN
View full profile →- Work From Home %7.9%
- Walkability (0–100)25
- Broadband %82.8%
ZIP 56540
Fertile city, MN
View full profile →- Work From Home %9.5%
- Walkability (0–100)32
- Broadband %86.0%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Work From Home %
7.9%9.5%
Walkability (0–100)
2532
Broadband %
82.8%86.0%
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ZIP 56542 and 56540 compare?
ZIP 56542 is more affordable rent, more diverse. ZIP 56540 is wealthier, higher home values, lower poverty rate, lower unemployment, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
What do the blue and orange colors mean?
Blue represents the first ZIP (56542), orange the second (56540). The same colors are used in the map markers and comparison bars.
Where does this data come from?
Data is from the U.S. Census Bureau and other federal sources. See our Methodology page for details.
How can I compare other ZIP codes?
From any ZIP page, use the "Compare with Another ZIP" tool, or go to /compare/XXXXX-vs-YYYYY (replace with two 5-digit ZIP codes).
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