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CITY

Backus

Minnesota · 264 residents (2025 est.) · 0.62 sq mi
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The short version

Backus has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $56,250. Population has declined 6% since 2000. 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $134,700. With a median age of 45.3, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 37% less than the Minnesota median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 45.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
15% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 60%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
291
−6%since 2000
from 311 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
469 / sq mi
−6%since 2000
from 502 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
45.3
+22%since 2000
from 37.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:264 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
2262773293814321990201020202024Backus
2024291
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$56,250
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,875 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,042
+149%since 2000
from $12,077 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
37.5%
+18.8 ptssince 2009
from 18.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
17.9%
−5.1 ptssince 2000
from 23.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.408
−8%since 2010
from 0.442 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information19.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Arts, entertainment, food14.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Retail trade11.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade4.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.9%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction3.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance3.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$134,700
+60%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $46,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$720
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $335 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
70.5%
−1.0 ptssince 2000
from 71.5% in 2000
29.5% rent
Vacancy rate
32.1%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 32.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
26.6%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 24.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
9.1%
−57.6 ptssince 2009
from 66.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.4
+39%since 2000
from 1.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
77
RELATED:See current rent listings in Backus on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.1%(305)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0.6%(2)
Other0%
Diversity Score1.6%(5)
2024
White, non-Hispanic66.7%(194)
Black3.1%(9)
Hispanic / Latino3.8%(11)
Asian0.3%(1)
Other26.1%(76)
Diversity Score60.6%(176)
Diversity Score
61
+3646%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
14.8%
+5.8 ptssince 2000
from 9.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
91.1%
+8.1 ptssince 2000
from 83.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
7.9%
+6.8 ptssince 2000
from 1.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.0 min
+44%since 2000
from 16.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
70.3%
−6.2 ptssince 2009
from 76.5% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
15.6%
+4.8 ptssince 2009
from 10.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
5.5%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
7.8%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 5.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−5.4 ptssince 2009
from 5.4% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
0.9%
−3.6 ptssince 2009
from 4.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.0%
−12.1 ptssince 2011
from 15.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
58.1%
−16.1 ptssince 2011
from 74.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
7.0%
−3.7 ptssince 2009
from 10.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
22.7%
−39.8 ptssince 2009
from 62.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
59.8%
+18.1 ptssince 2009
from 41.7% in 2009
Female
40.2%
−18.1 ptssince 2009
from 58.3% in 2009
Foreign born
4.5%
+4.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
16.7%
−30.3 ptssince 2009
from 46.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
15.1%
+0.7 ptssince 2012
from 14.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
12.0%
−70.7 ptssince 2013
from 82.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
89.3%
+31.9 ptssince 2017
from 57.4% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
90.2%
−9.4 ptssince 2016
from 99.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.1%
+3.1 ptssince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Backus to nearby cities

BACKUS VS
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Home value$324,100+141%
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BACKUS VS
Brainerd
Income$56,111same
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BACKUS VS
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BACKUS VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Backus, Minnesota?

Backus, Minnesota has about 291 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Backus, Minnesota?

The typical household in Backus, Minnesota earns about $56,250 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Backus, Minnesota expensive?

In Backus, Minnesota, the median home is worth about $134,700, and the typical rent is about $720 a month.

How educated are people in Backus, Minnesota?

About 14.8% of adults age 25 and over in Backus, Minnesota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Backus, Minnesota?

About 17.9% of people in Backus, Minnesota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Backus, Minnesota grown since 1990?

Yes, Backus, Minnesota has grown since 1990. The population has added about 48 residents, a change of about 20 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →