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CITY · 2020 ACS

Backus

Minnesota · 263 residents · 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 $42,344. Population has fallen 15% since 2000, a loss of 48 residents. 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $104,200. With a median age of 50.4, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 42% less than the Minnesota median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 50.4
US median: 38.8
Less educated
12% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 50%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
263
−15%since 2000
from 311 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
424 / sq mi
−15%since 2000
from 502 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
50.4
+36%since 2000
from 37.1 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
2262773293814321990201020202024Backus
2024291
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$42,344
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,875 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$21,981
+82%since 2000
from $12,077 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
17.1%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 18.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
29.2%
+6.2 ptssince 2000
from 23.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade22%
US avg: 10%
Information13%
US avg: 11.1%
Arts, entertainment, food4.1%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing2.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Finance & insurance1.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical1.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services1.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Wholesale trade0%
US avg: 6.7%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.7%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$104,200
+50%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $46,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$817
+62%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $335 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
71.9%
+0.4 ptssince 2000
from 71.5% in 2000
28.1% rent
Afford Score
2.5
+43%since 2000
from 1.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic89.7%(236)
Black0.4%(1)
Hispanic / Latino2.3%(6)
Asian0.8%(2)
Other2.7%(7)
Diversity Score15.3%(40)
Diversity Score
15
+847%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.8%
+2.8 ptssince 2000
from 9.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
90.8%
+7.7 ptssince 2000
from 83.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
3.9%
+2.9 ptssince 2000
from 1.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.3 min
+46%since 2000
from 16.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
80.5%
+4.0 ptssince 2009
from 76.5% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.3%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 4.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.6%
−13.5 ptssince 2011
from 15.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
66.1%
−8.1 ptssince 2011
from 74.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
14.6%
−47.9 ptssince 2009
from 62.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
54.9%
+13.2 ptssince 2009
from 41.7% in 2009
Female
45.1%
−13.2 ptssince 2009
from 58.3% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.9%
−78.8 ptssince 2013
from 82.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Backus to nearby cities

BACKUS VS
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Income$70,688+67%
Home value$324,100+211%
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BACKUS VS
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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 263 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Backus, Minnesota?

The typical household in Backus, Minnesota earns about $42,344 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 $104,200, and the typical rent is about $817 a month.

How educated are people in Backus, Minnesota?

About 11.8% 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 29.2% 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 20 residents, a change of about 8 percent over that period.

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

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