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CITY

Fosston

Minnesota · 1,383 residents (2025 est.) · 2.002 sq mi
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The short version

Fosston has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $52,500. Population has declined 13% since 2000. 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $151,700. The poverty rate of 25.6% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 41% 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
Less educated
21% 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
1,374
−13%since 2000
from 1,575 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
686 / sq mi
−13%since 2000
from 787 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
41.6
−4%since 2000
from 43.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,383 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K2K2K2K1990201020202024Fosston
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$52,500
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,634 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$28,204
+65%since 2000
from $17,064 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
28.8%
+17.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.5% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
25.6%
+10.7 ptssince 2000
from 14.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.440
−8%since 2010
from 0.480 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade19.9%
US avg: 9.9%
Information9.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade3.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction2%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing1.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance1.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services0.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$151,700
+60%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $52,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$790
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $385 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
55.3%
−11.2 ptssince 2000
from 66.5% in 2000
44.7% rent
Vacancy rate
6.1%
−4.8 ptssince 2009
from 10.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
25.1%
+4.8 ptssince 2009
from 20.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
33.7%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 37.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.9
+53%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
66
RELATED:See current rent listings in Fosston on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.4%(1,518)
Black0.1%(1)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(9)
Asian0.5%(8)
Other0%
Diversity Score2.9%(46)
2024
White, non-Hispanic92.5%(1,271)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino2%(27)
Asian0%(0)
Other5.5%(76)
Diversity Score17.6%(242)
Diversity Score
18
+506%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.7%
+6.6 ptssince 2000
from 14.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
84.4%
+9.7 ptssince 2000
from 74.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
8.1%
+3.5 ptssince 2000
from 4.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.6 min
+21%since 2000
from 12.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
74.3%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 71.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
7.8%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 9.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.4%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
5.7%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
7.0%
−5.7 ptssince 2009
from 12.7% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
3.5%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
10.3%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 11.4% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
10.0%
+0.8 ptssince 2011
from 9.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
55.0%
−0.8 ptssince 2011
from 55.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
19.2%
+4.2 ptssince 2009
from 15.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
33.9%
−33.9 ptssince 2009
from 67.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
42.3%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 42.7% in 2009
Female
57.7%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 57.3% in 2009
Foreign born
0.1%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.3%
−35.8 ptssince 2009
from 41.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
20.5%
+2.1 ptssince 2012
from 18.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.0%
−84.0 ptssince 2013
from 87.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
82.3%
+19.7 ptssince 2017
from 62.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
99.8%
+4.2 ptssince 2016
from 95.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−0.7 ptssince 2016
from 0.7% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Fosston, Minnesota?

Fosston, Minnesota has about 1,374 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Fosston, Minnesota?

The typical household in Fosston, Minnesota earns about $52,500 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Fosston, Minnesota expensive?

In Fosston, Minnesota, the median home is worth about $151,700, and the typical rent is about $790 a month.

How educated are people in Fosston, Minnesota?

About 20.7% of adults age 25 and over in Fosston, Minnesota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Fosston, Minnesota?

About 25.6% of people in Fosston, Minnesota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Fosston, Minnesota grown since 1990?

Yes, Fosston, Minnesota has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 143 residents, a change of about -9 percent over that period.

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

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