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CITY

Park Rapids

Minnesota · 4,447 residents (2025 est.) · 7.389 sq mi
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The short version

Park Rapids has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $44,747. Population has grown 30% since 2000. 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $227,500. With a median age of 45.8, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 50% less than the Minnesota median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 45.8
US median: 38.9
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 83%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,270
+30%since 2000
from 3,276 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
578 / sq mi
+30%since 2000
from 443 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
45.8
+8%since 2000
from 42.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:4,447 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3K3K4K4K4K1990201020202024Park Rapids
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$44,747
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $23,628 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$36,107
+120%since 2000
from $16,416 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
25.4%
+12.0 ptssince 2009
from 13.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
21.2%
+9.0 ptssince 2000
from 12.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.579
+5%since 2010
from 0.550 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade16.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Information15%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade11.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing2.7%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance2.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Other services2.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction2%
US avg: 1.2%
Professional, scientific, technical2%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration1.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$227,500
+83%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $68,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$825
+27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $357 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
54.6%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 52.4% in 2000
45.4% rent
Vacancy rate
6.3%
−3.6 ptssince 2009
from 9.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
23.7%
+4.2 ptssince 2009
from 19.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
47.2%
−3.7 ptssince 2009
from 50.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
5.1
+76%since 2000
from 2.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
60
RELATED:See current rent listings in Park Rapids on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic95.4%(3,124)
Black0.3%(10)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(35)
Asian0.4%(12)
Other0%
Diversity Score4.4%(145)
2024
White, non-Hispanic88.9%(3,794)
Black0.7%(28)
Hispanic / Latino1.9%(79)
Asian0%(0)
Other8.6%(369)
Diversity Score25.3%(1,082)
Diversity Score
25
+473%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.0%
+6.0 ptssince 2000
from 16.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
89.3%
+11.1 ptssince 2000
from 78.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
5.1%
+0.4 ptssince 2000
from 4.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.9 min
+153%since 2000
from 10.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
73.2%
−5.9 ptssince 2009
from 79.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
8.5%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 7.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.7%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
9.9%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 6.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
4.0%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
12.2%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 14.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.0%
+0.6 ptssince 2011
from 7.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
57.7%
+10.3 ptssince 2011
from 47.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
10.7%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 11.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
27.4%
−35.2 ptssince 2009
from 62.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.4%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 45.7% in 2009
Female
53.6%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 54.3% in 2009
Foreign born
1.7%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.3%
−39.9 ptssince 2009
from 45.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
23.6%
+1.0 ptssince 2012
from 22.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.3%
−85.7 ptssince 2013
from 91.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
86.5%
+24.0 ptssince 2017
from 62.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.9%
−0.4 ptssince 2016
from 98.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.6%
+0.5 ptssince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Park Rapids, Minnesota?

Park Rapids, Minnesota has about 4,270 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Park Rapids, Minnesota?

The typical household in Park Rapids, Minnesota earns about $44,747 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Park Rapids, Minnesota expensive?

In Park Rapids, Minnesota, the median home is worth about $227,500, and the typical rent is about $825 a month.

How educated are people in Park Rapids, Minnesota?

About 22.0% of adults age 25 and over in Park Rapids, Minnesota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Park Rapids, Minnesota?

About 21.2% of people in Park Rapids, Minnesota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Park Rapids, Minnesota grown since 1990?

Yes, Park Rapids, Minnesota has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,407 residents, a change of about 49 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 →