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CITY · 2010 ACS

Heron Lake

Minnesota · 698 residents · 1.242 sq mi
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The short version

Heron Lake has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $38,750. Population has declined 9% since 2000. 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $64,200. Poverty is rare here, at 5.4% of residents. Households here earn about 32% less than the Minnesota median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 41.5
US median: 37.2
Less educated
11% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 50%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
698
−9%since 2000
from 768 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
562 / sq mi
−9%since 2000
from 618 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
41.5
+7%since 2000
from 38.8 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
5656206767317871990201020202024Heron Lake
2024593
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$38,750
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,222 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$21,888
+40%since 2000
from $15,657 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
18.2%
+3.2 ptssince 2009
from 15.0% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
5.4%
−7.7 ptssince 2000
from 13.1% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.357
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade22.1%
US avg: 10.9%
Information10%
US avg: 11.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing9.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction9.5%
US avg: 1.4%
Transportation & warehousing5.9%
US avg: 3.1%
Other services4.1%
US avg: 7%
Finance & insurance3.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical3.3%
US avg: 4.2%
Public administration3.3%
US avg: 4.9%
Wholesale trade3.1%
US avg: 7.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$64,200
+50%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,900 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$575
+26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $359 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
37.3%
−44.5 ptssince 2000
from 81.8% in 2000
28.8% rent
Vacancy rate
13.2%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 10.1% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
16.5%
−3.5 ptssince 2009
from 20.0% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
20.5%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 19.8% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
1.7
+57%since 2000
from 1.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Heron Lake on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic88.7%(681)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino10.5%(81)
Asian0.5%(4)
Other0%
Diversity Score24.8%(190)
2010
White, non-Hispanic85.4%(596)
Black1.9%(13)
Hispanic / Latino12%(84)
Asian0.1%(1)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score30.9%(216)
Diversity Score
31
+25%since 2000
from 25 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
10.7%
−3.2 ptssince 2000
from 13.9% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
90.2%
+13.3 ptssince 2000
from 76.9% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
1.9%
+0.1 ptssince 2000
from 1.8% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.4 min
+51%since 2000
from 12.1 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
79.9%
+3.2 ptssince 2009
from 76.7% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
9.8%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 12.8% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
1.0%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
3.9%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
4.1%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 4.3% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.0%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
4.4%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 4.4% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
15.1%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 16.2% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
24.1%
−32.1 ptssince 2009
from 56.2% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
54.7%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 56.0% in 2009
Female
45.3%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 44.0% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
7.8%
−52.2 ptssince 2009
from 60.0% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
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Compare Heron Lake to nearby cities

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Income$61,797+59%
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HERON LAKE VS
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HERON LAKE VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Heron Lake, Minnesota?

Heron Lake, Minnesota has about 698 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Heron Lake, Minnesota?

The typical household in Heron Lake, Minnesota earns about $38,750 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Heron Lake, Minnesota expensive?

In Heron Lake, Minnesota, the median home is worth about $64,200, and the typical rent is about $575 a month.

How educated are people in Heron Lake, Minnesota?

About 10.7% of adults age 25 and over in Heron Lake, Minnesota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Heron Lake, Minnesota?

About 5.4% of people in Heron Lake, Minnesota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Heron Lake, Minnesota grown since 1990?

Yes, Heron Lake, Minnesota has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 18 residents, a change of about -3 percent over that period.

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

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