CensusEasy
CITY

Willow River

Minnesota · 400 residents (2025 est.) · 1.753 sq mi
Time machine
COMPARE TO
Compare
The short version

Willow River has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $58,125. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $206,300. Households here earn about 35% less than the Minnesota median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 37.7
US median: 38.9
Less educated
12% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 100%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
342
+11%since 2000
from 309 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
195 / sq mi
+11%since 2000
from 176 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
37.7
+10%since 2000
from 34.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:400 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
2573113664214751990201020202024Willow River
2024342
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$58,125
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $25,938 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$31,494
+89%since 2000
from $16,620 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
38.9%
+18.6 ptssince 2009
from 20.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
13.8%
−3.1 ptssince 2000
from 16.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.403
+1%since 2010
from 0.398 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information16.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade12.8%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing5.1%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction2.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Retail trade2.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance2.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food0.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$206,300
+100%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $56,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$743
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $345 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
63.1%
−7.5 ptssince 2000
from 70.5% in 2000
36.9% rent
Vacancy rate
15.6%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 13.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
8.1%
−29.6 ptssince 2009
from 37.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
32.8%
+11.5 ptssince 2009
from 21.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.5
+62%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
44
RELATED:See current rent listings in Willow River on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic91.6%(283)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.9%(6)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score5.1%(16)
2024
White, non-Hispanic98.2%(336)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other1.8%(6)
Diversity Score4.3%(15)
Diversity Score
4
−15%since 2000
from 5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.9%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 10.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
97.5%
+17.2 ptssince 2000
from 80.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
0.4%
−0.7 ptssince 2000
from 1.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
36.4 min
+117%since 2000
from 16.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
66.2%
−3.2 ptssince 2009
from 69.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
14.3%
+5.1 ptssince 2009
from 9.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
16.2%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 15.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.9%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
15.3%
+9.8 ptssince 2009
from 5.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.1%
−0.3 ptssince 2011
from 7.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
60.4%
−6.2 ptssince 2011
from 66.7% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
19.9%
+4.8 ptssince 2009
from 15.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
21.2%
−33.3 ptssince 2009
from 54.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.3%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
Female
49.7%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
Foreign born
1.5%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
11.1%
−39.8 ptssince 2009
from 50.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
12.0%
+1.8 ptssince 2012
from 10.2% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
2.9%
−91.5 ptssince 2013
from 94.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
92.4%
+24.1 ptssince 2017
from 68.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
99.4%
+2.7 ptssince 2016
from 96.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−2.0 ptssince 2016
from 2.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Willow River

Everglades
Pop 399
Bowersville
Pop 427
Funston
Pop 427
Hastings
Pop 432
Places similar to Willow River
Head to head

Compare Willow River to nearby cities

WILLOW RIVER VS
Cloquet
Income$61,367+6%
Home value$212,700+3%
Population12,399+3000%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WILLOW RIVER VS
Hermantown
Income$90,849+56%
Home value$382,300+85%
Population10,110+2428%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WILLOW RIVER VS
Superior
Income$64,216+10%
Home value$180,400−13%
Population26,397+6499%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WILLOW RIVER VS
Duluth
Income$68,807+18%
Home value$242,700+18%
Population88,330+21983%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Willow River, Minnesota?

Willow River, Minnesota has about 342 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Willow River, Minnesota?

The typical household in Willow River, Minnesota earns about $58,125 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Willow River, Minnesota expensive?

In Willow River, Minnesota, the median home is worth about $206,300, and the typical rent is about $743 a month.

How educated are people in Willow River, Minnesota?

About 11.9% of adults age 25 and over in Willow River, Minnesota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Willow River, Minnesota?

About 13.8% of people in Willow River, Minnesota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Willow River, Minnesota grown since 1990?

Yes, Willow River, Minnesota has grown since 1990. The population has added about 67 residents, a change of about 24 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

Up the hierarchy
Minnesota
Rankings
Highest income citiesFastest growing citiesMost educated cities
Compare
Compare Willow River with another place

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

How we source and harmonize this data →