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CITY · 2020 ACS

Ottertail

Minnesota · 629 residents · 4.277 sq mi
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The short version

Ottertail is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $79,583. Population has grown 39% since 2000. 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $201,300. With a median age of 54.7, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 54.7
US median: 38.8
Less educated
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 59%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
629
+39%since 2000
from 451 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
147 / sq mi
+39%since 2000
from 105 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
54.7
+27%since 2000
from 43.2 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
3274094925746571990201020202024Ottertail
2024490
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$79,583
+65%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,188 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$39,708
+113%since 2000
from $18,612 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
54.8%
+42.6 ptssince 2009
from 12.1% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
13.7%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 12.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade17.1%
US avg: 10%
Information10.1%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services9.4%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade8.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing5.9%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Finance & insurance4.2%
US avg: 5.5%
Construction3.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Professional, scientific, technical3.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration3.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing1%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$201,300
+59%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $84,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$857
+34%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $425 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
82.8%
−1.9 ptssince 2000
from 84.7% in 2000
17.2% rent
Afford Score
2.5
−3%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic92.7%(583)
Black0.2%(1)
Hispanic / Latino5.1%(32)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score12.7%(80)
Diversity Score
13
from 0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.3%
+10.1 ptssince 2000
from 11.2% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
89.6%
+2.8 ptssince 2000
from 86.7% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
9.9%
+8.6 ptssince 2000
from 1.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.5 min
+31%since 2000
from 16.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
76.7%
−10.0 ptssince 2009
from 86.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
2.7%
−12.9 ptssince 2009
from 15.6% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.0%
−0.9 ptssince 2011
from 3.0% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
67.2%
−3.1 ptssince 2011
from 70.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
28.6%
−24.8 ptssince 2009
from 53.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
54.6%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 52.4% in 2009
Female
45.4%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 47.6% in 2009
Foreign born
5.6%
+5.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
7.7%
−81.0 ptssince 2013
from 88.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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Compare Ottertail to nearby cities

OTTERTAIL VS
Fergus Falls
Income$56,162−29%
Home value$194,000−4%
Population14,246+1841%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OTTERTAIL VS
Detroit Lakes
Income$62,958−21%
Home value$265,800+32%
Population10,019+1265%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OTTERTAIL VS
Alexandria
Income$61,374−23%
Home value$275,300+37%
Population15,045+1950%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OTTERTAIL VS
Wahpeton
Income$62,750−21%
Home value$171,300−15%
Population8,141+1009%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Ottertail, Minnesota?

Ottertail, Minnesota has about 629 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Ottertail, Minnesota?

The typical household in Ottertail, Minnesota earns about $79,583 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 $201,300, and the typical rent is about $857 a month.

How educated are people in Ottertail, Minnesota?

About 21.3% 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 13.7% 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 275 residents, a change of about 78 percent over that period.

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

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