Albert Lea, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Albert Lea, Minnesota had a total population of 18,330, the 65th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $64,603, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
Albert Lea Quick Facts
How Albert Lea Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,379 | 18,330 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $62,522 | $64,603 | +3.3% |
| Median home value | $150,400 | $157,500 | +4.7% |
How Albert Lea Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Albert Lea Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Freeborn County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarks Grove | 636 | $73,750 | 13.5% | $123,400 |
| Alden | 629 | $73,250 | 4.5% | $128,400 |
| Glenville | 572 | $56,563 | 9.0% | $123,300 |
| Hartland | 422 | $86,250 | 6.4% | $166,900 |
| Geneva | 387 | $61,500 | 10.3% | $182,500 |
| Emmons | 363 | $57,969 | 20.1% | $106,700 |
| Freeborn | 348 | $50,000 | 30.1% | $88,800 |
| Hollandale | 340 | $64,375 | 13.3% | $151,500 |
| Hayward | 231 | $61,250 | 12.6% | $114,000 |
| Twin Lakes | 158 | $55,089 | 21.5% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Albert Lea
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anoka | 17,970 | $75,948 | $308,700 | 26.6% | 8.3% |
| Hopkins | 18,819 | $75,234 | $375,600 | 45.6% | 12.1% |
| Red Wing | 16,758 | $67,192 | $237,300 | 25.3% | 13.8% |
| Willmar | 21,378 | $62,280 | $198,400 | 25.3% | 13.1% |
| West St. Paul | 21,382 | $68,464 | $301,300 | 35.5% | 8.8% |
Population Overview
Albert Lea is a small city located in Minnesota, within Freeborn County. The total population is 18,330. It ranks as the 65th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Albert Lea is 44.3 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. 12.8% 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 is $64,603. This is 27% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 20% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.8%. This is 37% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 5.7%. This is 41% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $157,500. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Albert Lea is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Albert Lea is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 14.7%. The Black or African American population (2.3%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (14.7% vs 6.4%).
Education
17.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% lower than the state rate of 39.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Albert Lea, Minnesota is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Minnesota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Albert Lea, Minnesota?
Albert Lea, Minnesota has a population of 18,330 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Albert Lea, MN?
The median household income in Albert Lea is $64,603, which is 20% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Albert Lea, MN?
The poverty rate in Albert Lea is 12.8%. This means approximately 2,278 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Albert Lea, Minnesota?
Albert Lea's population is 76.0% White, 2.3% Black, 14.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Albert Lea, MN?
The median home value in Albert Lea is $157,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Albert Lea, Minnesota?
17.4% of adults (25+) in Albert Lea hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.