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CITY

Detroit Lakes

Minnesota · 10,019 residents (2025 est.) · 11.755 sq mi
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The short version

Detroit Lakes has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $62,958. Population has grown 36% since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $265,800. Households here earn about 29% less than the Minnesota median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 41.6
US median: 38.9
Average education
33% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 83%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
10,025
+36%since 2000
from 7,348 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
853 / sq mi
+36%since 2000
from 625 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
41.6
Unchangedsince 2000
from 41.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:10,019 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
6K7K8K9K10K1990201020202024Detroit Lakes
202410K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$62,958
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $29,264 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$46,289
+150%since 2000
from $18,509 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
39.0%
+17.3 ptssince 2009
from 21.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
16.6%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 15.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.552
+19%since 2010
from 0.463 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade14.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Information13.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade6.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance5.4%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services4.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Public administration1.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing1.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$265,800
+83%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $79,600 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$954
+54%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $341 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
56.1%
−8.2 ptssince 2000
from 64.4% in 2000
43.9% rent
Vacancy rate
13.3%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 12.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
21.2%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 21.2% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
45.2%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 42.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.2
+55%since 2000
from 2.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
65
RELATED:See current rent listings in Detroit Lakes on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic91.5%(6,723)
Black0.4%(29)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(88)
Asian0.5%(39)
Other0%
Diversity Score5.6%(410)
2024
White, non-Hispanic88%(8,826)
Black0.8%(84)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(79)
Asian0.3%(31)
Other10%(1,005)
Diversity Score26.8%(2,691)
Diversity Score
27
+381%since 2000
from 6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
32.8%
+8.8 ptssince 2000
from 24.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.6%
+8.8 ptssince 2000
from 83.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
11.4%
+5.7 ptssince 2000
from 5.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.2 min
+8%since 2000
from 13.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
77.9%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 78.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
9.7%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 9.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.9%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
6.6%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 5.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
4.0%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 5.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
9.8%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 12.1% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.8%
+2.9 ptssince 2011
from 3.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
60.5%
−2.1 ptssince 2011
from 62.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
13.8%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 15.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
37.2%
−29.4 ptssince 2009
from 66.6% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.9%
+4.2 ptssince 2009
from 44.7% in 2009
Female
51.1%
−4.2 ptssince 2009
from 55.3% in 2009
Foreign born
1.1%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.5%
−36.0 ptssince 2009
from 44.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
18.4%
+4.5 ptssince 2012
from 13.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.2%
−86.1 ptssince 2013
from 91.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
91.8%
+21.5 ptssince 2017
from 70.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.0%
+1.7 ptssince 2016
from 95.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.7%
+0.8 ptssince 2016
from 0.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Detroit Lakes to nearby cities

DETROIT LAKES VS
Fergus Falls
Income$56,162−11%
Home value$194,000−27%
Population14,246+42%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
DETROIT LAKES VS
Moorhead
Income$72,761+16%
Home value$249,000−6%
Population46,533+364%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
DETROIT LAKES VS
Fargo
Income$66,998+6%
Home value$281,900+6%
Population136,275+1260%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
DETROIT LAKES VS
West Fargo
Income$90,665+44%
Home value$321,900+21%
Population41,175+311%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota?

Detroit Lakes, Minnesota has about 10,025 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota?

The typical household in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota earns about $62,958 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Detroit Lakes, Minnesota expensive?

In Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, the median home is worth about $265,800, and the typical rent is about $954 a month.

How educated are people in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota?

About 32.8% of adults age 25 and over in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota?

About 16.6% of people in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Detroit Lakes, Minnesota grown since 1990?

Yes, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota has grown since 1990. The population has added about 3,390 residents, a change of about 51 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 →

Detroit Lakes, Minnesota: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy