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CITY

Karlstad

Minnesota · 679 residents (2025 est.) · 1.503 sq mi
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The short version

Karlstad has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $64,000. Population has fallen 22% since 2000, a loss of 172 residents. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $126,300. With a median age of 50.2, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 28% less than the Minnesota median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 50.2
US median: 38.9
More educated
40% 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
622
−22%since 2000
from 794 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
414 / sq mi
−22%since 2000
from 528 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
50.2
+12%since 2000
from 44.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:679 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
5936807668529391990201020202024Karlstad
2024622
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$64,000
+39%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $25,208 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$34,509
+160%since 2000
from $13,274 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
39.1%
+23.7 ptssince 2009
from 15.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
11.9%
−1.5 ptssince 2000
from 13.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.393
+7%since 2010
from 0.368 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade16.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Information13.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Transportation & warehousing7.2%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance5.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction3.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food3.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services3.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration3.1%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade2%
US avg: 6.9%
Education & health services1%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$126,300
+60%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $43,400 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$619
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $317 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
74.4%
+7.4 ptssince 2000
from 67.1% in 2000
25.6% rent
Vacancy rate
17.1%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 17.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
12.1%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 10.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
32.4%
+5.5 ptssince 2009
from 26.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.0
+15%since 2000
from 1.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
80
RELATED:See current rent listings in Karlstad on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.6%(775)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.4%(3)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score1%(8)
2024
White, non-Hispanic97.4%(606)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0.2%(1)
Other2.4%(15)
Diversity Score6.3%(39)
Diversity Score
6
+553%since 2000
from 1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
39.5%
+26.3 ptssince 2000
from 13.2% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
99.3%
+26.6 ptssince 2000
from 72.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
2.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2000
from 2.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.6 min
+29%since 2000
from 19.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
65.2%
−4.8 ptssince 2009
from 70.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
16.7%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 15.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
3.4%
−2.8 ptssince 2009
from 6.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
14.7%
+7.6 ptssince 2009
from 7.1% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.4%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 6.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.7%
−0.7 ptssince 2011
from 1.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
57.3%
−3.6 ptssince 2011
from 60.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
17.4%
+7.9 ptssince 2009
from 9.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
33.1%
−27.4 ptssince 2009
from 60.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
44.5%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 42.3% in 2009
Female
55.5%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 57.7% in 2009
Foreign born
0.2%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.4%
−34.9 ptssince 2009
from 40.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
11.7%
−6.9 ptssince 2012
from 18.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
6.8%
−86.6 ptssince 2013
from 93.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
83.5%
+35.1 ptssince 2017
from 48.4% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
+3.3 ptssince 2016
from 96.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−0.9 ptssince 2016
from 0.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Karlstad to nearby cities

KARLSTAD VS
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Income$71,144+11%
Home value$175,400+39%
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SEE FULL COMPARISON →
KARLSTAD VS
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Income$77,549+21%
Home value$255,600+102%
Population8,906+1212%
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KARLSTAD VS
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Income$63,627−1%
Home value$249,900+98%
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KARLSTAD VS
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Income$55,405−13%
Home value$198,300+57%
Population15,770+2223%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Karlstad, Minnesota?

Karlstad, Minnesota has about 622 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Karlstad, Minnesota?

The typical household in Karlstad, Minnesota earns about $64,000 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Karlstad, Minnesota expensive?

In Karlstad, Minnesota, the median home is worth about $126,300, and the typical rent is about $619 a month.

How educated are people in Karlstad, Minnesota?

About 39.5% of adults age 25 and over in Karlstad, Minnesota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Karlstad, Minnesota?

About 11.9% of people in Karlstad, Minnesota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Karlstad, Minnesota grown since 1990?

Yes, Karlstad, Minnesota has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 288 residents, a change of about -32 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 →