Most working residents leave Lancaster for work: only 17% work in town. The top destinations are Hallock (14%), Karlstad (13%) and Thief River Falls (9%). Half commute less than 24 miles.

Hallock

14%

Karlstad

13%

Thief River Falls

Medina

17%Work in townlive and work in Lancaster 24 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 223Jobs based herea job hub

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Lancaster →

Health in Lancaster

Compared with Minnesota

1better than MN·7worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 24 are too close to call.

Conditions 6▼ 6 close Habits all close Care 1▲ 1▼ 5 close Mind all close Everyday needs all close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

79.4%More adults treating high blood pressureMN 76.1% · better 15.2%More older adults who have lost all their teethMN 8.9% · worse

Care nearby

Kittson HealthcareHallock · 8.9 mi · ER · rural critical access

Community Health Service Inc. - GraftonGrafton · 41.9 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Lancaster · CMS · HRSAHealth in Lancaster →

Natural hazards in Lancaster

High

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 79% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🔥 Wildfire🥶 Cold waves

8Does Lancaster flood?paid flood claims since 1979 NoneDisasters that paid out hereof 26 declared for Kittson County MapLancaster vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Lancaster →

Climate in Lancaster

Full climate →

Lancaster has cold winters and pleasant summers, with very little rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 79°, a January night drops to -5°.

17° / 0°Winter

50° / 28°Spring

78° / 54°Summer

52° / 32°Fall

When is the first frost?Around Sep 30, with the last in spring around May 8.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+2.2° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Lancaster →

Schools in Lancaster

All Lancaster schools →

B⁻

School Grade B-

The public schools Lancaster’s kids attend outperform 52% of Minnesota’s districts on state tests. Among towns with similar incomes, they sit near the middle.

DistrictLANCASTER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTSchools2

Lancaster Elementary B-Elementary · Grades PK–6 · 122 students Lancaster Secondary B-High · Grades 7–12 · 86 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results, graded within MN. Ratings are from neighbors.