Lake of the Woods is home to 37,822 people. That puts it in the top 1% of US metro areas for household income. 11,941 more people live here than in 2000. Owners hold 79% of the housing stock. The average commute runs 37 minutes. 5% of residents were born outside the United States.
At a glance
Wealthier
median household income $94,008, above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 42.1
US median: 38.9
Less educated
30% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 77%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Unique to this place
What stands out about Lake of the Woods
What changed most since 1990
White share84.2% → 74.9%(−9.4 pts)US over the same years: −17.8 pts
Population21,421 → 37,822(+77%)US over the same years: +35%
Among the 12 metro and micro areas based in Virginia
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans
Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later)31.8%(964)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)28.3%(858)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era25.7%(778)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War3.3%(99)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II0.1%(2)
US avg: 1%
Share of the 3,033 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Over time
Lake of the Woods, decade by decade
Lake of the Woods population, inflation-adjusted income and home value, education, and diversity by year
Year
Population
Median household income
Median home value
Bachelor's degree+
Diversity score
1990
21,421
$76,279
$198,246
16.1%
33.8
2000
25,881
$78,129
$205,483
18.5%
35.3
2010
33,481
$79,001
$358,348
21.5%
41.3
2020
36,254
$90,231
$316,342
25.7%
51.3
2024
37,822
$94,008
$364,200
29.6%
52.4
Census years come from the decennial census and the latest year from the American Community Survey, so part of any change between those two rows can reflect the different surveys. Dollar figures are adjusted for inflation to 2024 dollars; a figure ending in "+" was at the Census Bureau's reporting cap that year. The diversity score runs from 0 to 100; see how it's calculated.
