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MICROPOLITAN AREA · 2020 ACS

Brainerd Micro

Brainerd, MN · 2 counties · 96,189 residents · 3,019.823 sq mi
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The short version

Brainerd has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $56,549. Population has grown 17% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $206,337. With a median age of 46.5, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 46.5
US median: 38.8
Less educated
26% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 35%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
96,189
+17%since 2000
from 82,249 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
32 / sq mi
+17%since 2000
from 27 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
46.5
+15%since 2000
from 40.3 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
63K73K82K92K102K1990201020202024Brainerd
202499K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$56,549
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $36,514 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$32,342
+75%since 2000
from $18,519 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
37.4%
+14.5 ptssince 2009
from 22.8% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
10.9%
−0.1 ptssince 2000
from 11.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information12.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade9.4%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade9.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services6.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance4.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Public administration4.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Professional, scientific, technical3.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.9%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.7%
US avg: 1.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.7%
US avg: 2%
Construction1.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$206,337
+35%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $101,961 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$811
+26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $429 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
78.5%
−3.3 ptssince 2000
from 81.7% in 2000
21.5% rent
Afford Score
3.6
+31%since 2000
from 2.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Brainerd on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic93.6%(76,957)
Black0.2%(198)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(601)
Asian0.3%(221)
Other0%
Diversity Score3.2%(2,665)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic89.3%(85,927)
Black0.5%(447)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(1,338)
Asian0.5%(443)
Other7%(6,714)
Diversity Score21.8%(20,967)
Segregation Score41.2%(39,641)
Diversity Score
22
+573%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
41
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
25.8%
+8.0 ptssince 2000
from 17.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
94.0%
+8.5 ptssince 2000
from 85.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.6%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 5.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.4 min
+61%since 2000
from 13.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
78.8%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 78.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
5.3%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.7%
−3.9 ptssince 2011
from 8.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
60.0%
−1.8 ptssince 2011
from 61.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
33.6%
−29.1 ptssince 2009
from 62.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.2%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
Female
49.8%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 50.4% in 2009
Foreign born
1.2%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
5.7%
−84.2 ptssince 2013
from 89.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
In this metro

Principal cities

BrainerdCENTRAL14,428
What's inside

2 component counties

Crow Wing CountyCENTRAL69,132Cass County31,430
Drill deeper

Metros similar to Brainerd

Kankakee
Pop 105,525
Adrian
Pop 97,779
Grand Forks
Pop 105,046
Ithaca
Pop 104,047
Places similar to Brainerd
Head to head

Compare Brainerd side by side

BRAINERD VS
Kankakee
Income$71,281+26%
Home value$192,600−7%
Population105,525+5%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BRAINERD VS
Adrian
Income$70,518+25%
Home value$196,800−5%
Population97,779−3%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BRAINERD VS
Grand Forks
Income$69,566+23%
Home value$243,841+18%
Population105,046+4%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BRAINERD VS
Ithaca
Income$74,024+31%
Home value$290,900+41%
Population104,047+3%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Brainerd, MN?

Brainerd, MN has about 96,189 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Brainerd, MN?

The typical household in Brainerd, MN earns about $56,549 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Brainerd, MN expensive?

In Brainerd, MN, the median home is worth about $206,337, and the typical rent is about $811 a month.

How educated are people in Brainerd, MN?

About 25.8% of adults age 25 and over in Brainerd, MN hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Brainerd, MN?

About 10.9% of people in Brainerd, MN live below the federal poverty line.

Has Brainerd, MN grown since 1990?

Yes, Brainerd, MN has grown since 1990. The population has added about 30,149 residents, a change of about 46 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · METRO ROLLUP OF COMPONENT COUNTIES · UPDATED 2024

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