The Brainerd Lakes Area continues to enjoy a housing boom. According to the Brainerd Lakes Area Housing Study, Crow Wing County added more than 5,000 permanent households during the last decade. Most of this growth (71%) was seen in existing and new construction units.

In 2003, the average cost of a home in the Brainerd Lakes Area was $149,900. Click to learn more about home sales values by city and throughout the counties in the region, and the historical rise in home value in Crow Wing County.

New housing projects are also being planned larger than in previous years – many new homes used to be 2-3 bedroom styles, now the norm is 4-5 bedrooms with 3+ car garages. This change is not attributed to larger families, but more possessions and more frequent visitors, as well as historically low interest rates. There has also been a growth during the last 10 years in the number of seasonal/recreational cabins in the region.

Another trend is for the cities of Brainerd and Baxter to experience higher rates of owner-occupied homes, reversing the trend between 1990 and 2000. Successful subdivision and planned unit developments are aiding in this current and presumed future increase.

In total, the demand for home ownership in the Brainerd Lakes Area is projected to increase by between 3,100 – 4,100 households.1 While some of this demand will be met through the conversion of season use housing, it is reasonable to expect that new construction will utilize 2,200- 2,900 housing units in the next five years.

1 2002 Brainerd Lakes Area Housing Study, Brainerd section