56542 vs 56736 — Compare ZIP Codes
Side-by-side comparison. Blue = ZIP 56542, Orange = ZIP 56736.
Quick verdict: ZIP 56542 is more affordable rent, more diverse, more educated, higher work-from-home share. ZIP 56736 is wealthier, higher home values, lower poverty rate, lower unemployment.
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 56736
Mentor city, MN
View full profile →- Population670
- Median Income$81,500
- Median Home Value$336k
- Median Rent$618
- Median Age55.9 yrs
- Poverty Rate6.2%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Population
2,435670
Median Income
$57,750$81,500
Median Home Value
$177k$336k
Median Rent
$606$618
Median Age
45.0 yrs55.9 yrs
Poverty Rate
16.6%6.2%
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 56736
Mentor city, MN
View full profile →- White %97.6%
- Black %0.0%
- Asian %0.9%
- Hispanic %0.8%
- Age 0–17 %17.2%
- Age 18–64 %50.0%
- Age 65+ %32.8%
- Bachelor's+ %22.2%
- Diversity Index5/100
Visual comparison (same scale)
White %
92.8%97.6%
Black %
0.0%0.0%
Asian %
0.3%0.9%
Hispanic %
1.9%0.8%
Age 0–17 %
24.0%17.2%
Age 18–64 %
51.0%50.0%
Age 65+ %
25.1%32.8%
Bachelor's+ %
24.6%22.2%
Diversity Index
14/1005/100
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 56736
Mentor city, MN
View full profile →- Median Income$81,500
- Unemployment %1.5%
- IRS Net Migration+48
- Work From Home %5.7%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Income
$57,750$81,500
Unemployment %
7.3%1.5%
IRS Net Migration
+173+48
Work From Home %
7.9%5.7%
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 56736
Mentor city, MN
View full profile →- Median Home Value$336k
- Median Rent$618
- Owner Occupied %90.6%
- Broadband %87.7%
- Vacant %64.1%
- Median Year Built1974
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Home Value
$177k$336k
Median Rent
$606$618
Owner Occupied %
69.9%90.6%
Broadband %
82.8%87.7%
Vacant %
14.6%64.1%
Median Year Built
19711974
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 56736
Mentor city, MN
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)1,038 ft
- Nearest Airport24.7 miles (39.7 km)
- Distance to Coast201.3 miles (324.0 km)
Visual comparison (same scale)
Snow Days/Year
0 days0 days
Elevation (ft)
1,300 ft1,038 ft
Nearest Airport
37.5 miles (60.4 km)24.7 miles (39.7 km)
Distance to Coast
177.8 miles (286.2 km)201.3 miles (324.0 km)
Infrastructure
ZIP 56542
Fosston city, MN
View full profile →- Work From Home %7.9%
- Walkability (0–100)25
- Broadband %82.8%
ZIP 56736
Mentor city, MN
View full profile →- Work From Home %5.7%
- Walkability (0–100)27
- Broadband %87.7%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Work From Home %
7.9%5.7%
Walkability (0–100)
2527
Broadband %
82.8%87.7%
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ZIP 56542 and 56736 compare?
ZIP 56542 is more affordable rent, more diverse, more educated, higher work-from-home share. ZIP 56736 is wealthier, higher home values, lower poverty rate, lower unemployment.
What do the blue and orange colors mean?
Blue represents the first ZIP (56542), orange the second (56736). 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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