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CITY · 2020 ACS

Pelican Rapids

Minnesota · 2,577 residents · 2.582 sq mi
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The short version

Pelican Rapids has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $49,274. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $119,400. At a median age of 34.8, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 33% less than the Minnesota median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 34.8
US median: 38.8
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,577
+9%since 2000
from 2,374 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
998 / sq mi
+9%since 2000
from 919 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
34.8
−5%since 2000
from 36.5 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
2K2K2K3K3K1990201020202024Pelican Rapids
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$49,274
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,232 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,711
+44%since 2000
from $13,699 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
30.9%
+15.1 ptssince 2009
from 15.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
24.2%
+8.4 ptssince 2000
from 15.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade40.6%
US avg: 10%
Information10.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance4.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade2.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services2.5%
US avg: 6.6%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services1.4%
US avg: 0.8%
Public administration1.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$119,400
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $66,500 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$387
−29%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $361 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
59.4%
−2.7 ptssince 2000
from 62.1% in 2000
40.6% rent
Afford Score
2.4
−1%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic43.3%(1,117)
Black16.1%(415)
Hispanic / Latino33%(851)
Asian3.6%(94)
Other3.6%(92)
Diversity Score84.1%(2,167)
Diversity Score
84
+73%since 2000
from 49 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.6%
+0.6 ptssince 2000
from 18.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
70.7%
+4.0 ptssince 2000
from 66.7% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
3.1%
−2.1 ptssince 2000
from 5.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.9 min
+56%since 2000
from 12.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
63.6%
+13.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
19.6%
+9.2 ptssince 2009
from 10.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.1%
−5.4 ptssince 2011
from 8.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
67.8%
+5.5 ptssince 2011
from 62.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
16.5%
−35.3 ptssince 2009
from 51.8% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
55.5%
+4.9 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
Female
44.5%
−4.9 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
Foreign born
27.7%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 29.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
14.8%
−76.0 ptssince 2013
from 90.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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Compare Pelican Rapids to nearby cities

PELICAN RAPIDS VS
Fergus Falls
Income$56,162+14%
Home value$194,000+62%
Population14,246+446%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PELICAN RAPIDS VS
Detroit Lakes
Income$62,958+28%
Home value$265,800+123%
Population10,019+284%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PELICAN RAPIDS VS
Wahpeton
Income$62,750+27%
Home value$171,300+43%
Population8,141+212%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PELICAN RAPIDS VS
Moorhead
Income$72,761+48%
Home value$249,000+109%
Population46,533+1684%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota?

Pelican Rapids, Minnesota has about 2,577 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota earns about $49,274 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 $119,400, and the typical rent is about $387 a month.

How educated are people in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota?

About 18.6% 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 24.2% 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 691 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

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