Albert Lea city, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Albert Lea city, Minnesota has a total population of 18,379, the 65th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $62,522, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.5%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
Albert Lea city Quick Facts
How Albert Lea city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 40 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Albert Lea city Rankings in Minnesota
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Other Cities in Freeborn County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarks Grove city | 683 | $69,792 | 13.2% | $132,800 |
| Alden city | 658 | $75,833 | 2.9% | $122,700 |
| Glenville city | 596 | $53,750 | 8.1% | $119,400 |
| Hartland city | 400 | $64,833 | 7.8% | $135,600 |
| Hollandale city | 380 | $67,000 | 20.6% | $141,200 |
| Geneva city | 329 | $63,750 | 9.7% | $166,100 |
| Freeborn city | 321 | $44,545 | 21.4% | $87,900 |
| Emmons city | 320 | $57,500 | 16.7% | $96,700 |
| Hayward city | 219 | $53,750 | 16.4% | $109,600 |
| Twin Lakes city | 182 | $45,833 | 33.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Albert Lea city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hopkins city | 18,696 | $71,170 | $350,100 | 47.0% | 10.0% |
| Anoka city | 17,941 | $75,262 | $292,900 | 27.4% | 7.9% |
| Red Wing city | 16,660 | $65,259 | $224,800 | 26.2% | 14.0% |
| Willmar city | 21,136 | $63,368 | $186,000 | 24.5% | 15.2% |
| Sartell city | 19,620 | $77,465 | $278,000 | 40.4% | 8.1% |
Population Overview
Albert Lea city is a small city located in Minnesota, within Freeborn County. The total population is 18,379. It ranks as the 65th most populous out of 913 cities and towns in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Albert Lea city is 44.3 years. This is 15% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 12.6% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Albert Lea city is $62,522. This is 29% lower than the state median of $87,556. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 20% lower. The poverty rate stands at 11.5%. This is 25% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.2%. The unemployment rate is 4.1%. This is 5% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $150,400. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $305,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Albert Lea city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 73.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 72.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Albert Lea city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 14.9%. The Black or African American population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 6.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (14.9% vs 6.2%).
Education
17.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% lower than the state rate of 38.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Albert Lea city, Minnesota is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Minnesota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 913 Census-designated places in Minnesota. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Albert Lea city, Minnesota?
Albert Lea city, Minnesota has a population of 18,379 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Albert Lea city, MN?
The median household income in Albert Lea city is $62,522, which is 20% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Albert Lea city, MN?
The poverty rate in Albert Lea city is 11.5%. This means approximately 2,048 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Albert Lea city, Minnesota?
Albert Lea city's population is 76.9% White, 1.8% Black, 14.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Albert Lea city, MN?
The median home value in Albert Lea city is $150,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Albert Lea city, Minnesota?
17.3% of adults (25+) in Albert Lea city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.