CensusEasy
CITY · 2020 ACS

Albert Lea

Minnesota · 18,492 residents · 13.285 sq mi
Time machine
COMPARE TO
Part of the Albert Lea micropolitan area
Compare
The short version

Albert Lea has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $45,929. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $102,700. Households here earn about 37% less than the Minnesota median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 42.3
US median: 38.8
Less educated
16% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
18,492
+1%since 2000
from 18,356 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,392 / sq mi
+1%since 2000
from 1,382 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
42.3
+3%since 2000
from 41.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
17K18K18K18K19K1990201020202024Albert Lea
202418K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$45,929
−7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,841 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$27,857
+55%since 2000
from $17,979 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
26.6%
+9.1 ptssince 2009
from 17.5% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
11.5%
+1.3 ptssince 2000
from 10.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade22.7%
US avg: 10%
Information12.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade6.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance3.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Other services3.4%
US avg: 6.6%
Transportation & warehousing3.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2.5%
US avg: 2%
Public administration2.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.1%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$102,700
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $69,500 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$728
+32%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $366 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
67.7%
−5.1 ptssince 2000
from 72.9% in 2000
32.3% rent
Afford Score
2.2
+6%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Albert Lea on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic88.5%(16,237)
Black0.3%(54)
Hispanic / Latino9.5%(1,740)
Asian0.8%(140)
Other0%
Diversity Score24%(4,412)
2020
White, non-Hispanic74.3%(13,736)
Black2.2%(408)
Hispanic / Latino14.7%(2,719)
Asian5.3%(974)
Other2%(365)
Diversity Score50.6%(9,348)
Diversity Score
51
+110%since 2000
from 24 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
16.4%
+2.6 ptssince 2000
from 13.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
84.3%
+6.3 ptssince 2000
from 78.0% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
5.2%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 4.0% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.7 min
+50%since 2000
from 11.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
80.7%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 80.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
9.5%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.3%
−1.9 ptssince 2011
from 6.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
58.9%
−3.5 ptssince 2011
from 62.4% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
25.2%
−35.3 ptssince 2009
from 60.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.3%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 48.3% in 2009
Female
52.7%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 51.7% in 2009
Foreign born
8.3%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 6.1% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
5.7%
−83.7 ptssince 2013
from 89.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Albert Lea

Cocoa
Pop 19,777
Azalea Park
Pop 16,180
Pinewood
Pop 18,114
Ojus
Pop 19,198
Places similar to Albert Lea
Head to head

Compare Albert Lea to nearby cities

ALBERT LEA VS
Austin
Income$68,057+48%
Home value$163,900+60%
Population26,689+47%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ALBERT LEA VS
Waseca
Income$64,074+40%
Home value$189,200+84%
Population9,035−50%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ALBERT LEA VS
Owatonna
Income$80,750+76%
Home value$245,200+139%
Population26,633+46%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ALBERT LEA VS
Mason City
Income$64,804+41%
Home value$142,000+38%
Population26,853+47%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Albert Lea, Minnesota?

Albert Lea, Minnesota has about 18,492 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Albert Lea, Minnesota?

The typical household in Albert Lea, Minnesota earns about $45,929 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Albert Lea, Minnesota expensive?

In Albert Lea, Minnesota, the median home is worth about $102,700, and the typical rent is about $728 a month.

How educated are people in Albert Lea, Minnesota?

About 16.4% of adults age 25 and over in Albert Lea, Minnesota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Albert Lea, Minnesota?

About 11.5% of people in Albert Lea, Minnesota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Albert Lea, Minnesota grown since 1990?

Yes, Albert Lea, Minnesota has grown since 1990. The population has added about 182 residents, a change of about 1 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

Up the hierarchy
Minnesota
Rankings
Highest income citiesFastest growing citiesMost educated cities
Compare
Compare Albert Lea with another place

DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →