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CITY

Ottertail

Minnesota · 734 residents (2025 est.) · 4.277 sq mi
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The short version

Ottertail has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $80,500. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $332,900. With a median age of 55.8, the population is older than the US median of 38.9.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 55.8
US median: 38.9
Average education
31% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 117%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
490
+9%since 2000
from 451 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
115 / sq mi
+9%since 2000
from 105 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
55.8
+29%since 2000
from 43.2 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:734 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3274094925746571990201020202024Ottertail
2024490
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$80,500
+37%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,188 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$59,018
+217%since 2000
from $18,612 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
51.3%
+39.2 ptssince 2009
from 12.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
8.6%
−4.1 ptssince 2000
from 12.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.526
+49%since 2010
from 0.354 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade11.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Transportation & warehousing10.2%
US avg: 2.2%
Information9.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction5.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Other services4.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade4%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance3.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Public administration2.7%
US avg: 4.8%
Professional, scientific, technical2.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food1.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$332,900
+117%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $84,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,150
+49%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $425 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
89.7%
+5.0 ptssince 2000
from 84.7% in 2000
10.3% rent
Vacancy rate
45.1%
+14.7 ptssince 2009
from 30.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
21.9%
−22.1 ptssince 2009
from 44.0% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
17.4%
−5.2 ptssince 2009
from 22.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.1
+58%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
71
RELATED:See current rent listings in Ottertail on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic99.6%(449)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score0%(0)
2024
White, non-Hispanic92.2%(452)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino5.3%(26)
Asian0%(0)
Other2.4%(12)
Diversity Score18.2%(89)
Diversity Score
18
from 0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
31.4%
+20.1 ptssince 2000
from 11.2% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.3%
+7.6 ptssince 2000
from 86.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
11.6%
+10.2 ptssince 2000
from 1.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
28.9 min
+76%since 2000
from 16.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
70.8%
−15.9 ptssince 2009
from 86.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
9.7%
+4.5 ptssince 2009
from 5.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
19.5%
+15.4 ptssince 2009
from 4.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−4.0 ptssince 2009
from 4.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
0.9%
−14.7 ptssince 2009
from 15.6% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.6%
+1.7 ptssince 2011
from 3.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
57.5%
−12.7 ptssince 2011
from 70.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
16.4%
+7.2 ptssince 2009
from 9.2% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
41.6%
−11.8 ptssince 2009
from 53.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
52.7%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 52.4% in 2009
Female
47.3%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 47.6% in 2009
Foreign born
2.2%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.4%
−44.8 ptssince 2009
from 52.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
15.3%
+5.7 ptssince 2012
from 9.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
6.7%
−82.0 ptssince 2013
from 88.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
92.9%
+19.7 ptssince 2017
from 73.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
96.6%
−0.9 ptssince 2016
from 97.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.4%
+1.9 ptssince 2016
from 1.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Ottertail to nearby cities

OTTERTAIL VS
Fergus Falls
Income$56,162−30%
Home value$194,000−42%
Population14,246+1841%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OTTERTAIL VS
Detroit Lakes
Income$62,958−22%
Home value$265,800−20%
Population10,019+1265%
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OTTERTAIL VS
Alexandria
Income$61,374−24%
Home value$275,300−17%
Population15,045+1950%
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OTTERTAIL VS
Wahpeton
Income$62,750−22%
Home value$171,300−49%
Population8,141+1009%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Ottertail, Minnesota?

Ottertail, Minnesota has about 490 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Ottertail, Minnesota?

The typical household in Ottertail, Minnesota earns about $80,500 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Ottertail, Minnesota expensive?

In Ottertail, Minnesota, the median home is worth about $332,900, and the typical rent is about $1,150 a month.

How educated are people in Ottertail, Minnesota?

About 31.4% of adults age 25 and over in Ottertail, Minnesota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Ottertail, Minnesota?

About 8.6% of people in Ottertail, Minnesota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Ottertail, Minnesota grown since 1990?

Yes, Ottertail, Minnesota has grown since 1990. The population has added about 136 residents, a change of about 38 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 →