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CITY

Pelican Rapids

Minnesota · 2,608 residents (2025 est.) · 2.582 sq mi
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The short version

Pelican Rapids has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $63,917. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $174,100. Households here earn about 28% less than the Minnesota median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 38.6
US median: 38.9
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 44%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,586
+9%since 2000
from 2,374 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,002 / sq mi
+9%since 2000
from 919 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
38.6
+6%since 2000
from 36.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:2,608 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
2K2K2K3K3K1990201020202024Pelican Rapids
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$63,917
+29%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,232 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$27,494
+101%since 2000
from $13,699 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
39.4%
+23.5 ptssince 2009
from 15.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
16.6%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 15.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.481
+11%since 2010
from 0.435 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade30.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Information11.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade4.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance2.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Arts, entertainment, food2.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.9%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Professional, scientific, technical1.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$174,100
+44%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $66,500 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
63.9%
+1.8 ptssince 2000
from 62.1% in 2000
36.1% rent
Vacancy rate
10.7%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 8.1% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
21.2%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 21.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
34.5%
−34.2 ptssince 2009
from 68.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.7
+12%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
73
RELATED:See current rent listings in Pelican Rapids on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic73.3%(1,739)
Black0.7%(17)
Hispanic / Latino19.6%(465)
Asian3.6%(85)
Other0%
Diversity Score48.7%(1,155)
2024
White, non-Hispanic52%(1,344)
Black10.2%(265)
Hispanic / Latino32.9%(850)
Asian0%(0)
Other4.9%(127)
Diversity Score76.1%(1,968)
Diversity Score
76
+56%since 2000
from 49 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
19.3%
+1.3 ptssince 2000
from 18.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
76.2%
+9.5 ptssince 2000
from 66.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
7.8%
+2.6 ptssince 2000
from 5.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.4 min
+85%since 2000
from 12.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
73.8%
+23.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.9%
−16.6 ptssince 2009
from 21.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
8.6%
+6.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
8.1%
−16.5 ptssince 2009
from 24.7% 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
12.5%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 10.4% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.5%
−4.0 ptssince 2011
from 8.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
57.3%
−4.9 ptssince 2011
from 62.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
15.7%
+5.0 ptssince 2009
from 10.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
22.3%
−29.5 ptssince 2009
from 51.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
52.2%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
Female
47.8%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
Foreign born
25.7%
−4.2 ptssince 2009
from 29.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.2%
−44.3 ptssince 2009
from 48.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
13.1%
−1.9 ptssince 2012
from 15.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
11.8%
−79.0 ptssince 2013
from 90.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
85.9%
+27.8 ptssince 2017
from 58.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
64.9%
+3.9 ptssince 2016
from 61.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
24.3%
+4.2 ptssince 2016
from 20.1% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Pelican Rapids to nearby cities

PELICAN RAPIDS VS
Fergus Falls
Income$56,162−12%
Home value$194,000+11%
Population14,246+446%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PELICAN RAPIDS VS
Detroit Lakes
Income$62,958−2%
Home value$265,800+53%
Population10,019+284%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PELICAN RAPIDS VS
Wahpeton
Income$62,750−2%
Home value$171,300−2%
Population8,141+212%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PELICAN RAPIDS VS
Moorhead
Income$72,761+14%
Home value$249,000+43%
Population46,533+1684%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota?

Pelican Rapids, Minnesota has about 2,586 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota earns about $63,917 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Pelican Rapids, Minnesota expensive?

In Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, the median home is worth about $174,100.

How educated are people in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota?

About 19.3% of adults age 25 and over in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota?

About 16.6% of people in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Pelican Rapids, Minnesota grown since 1990?

Yes, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota has grown since 1990. The population has added about 700 residents, a change of about 37 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 →

Pelican Rapids, Minnesota: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy