Appleton, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Appleton, Minnesota had a total population of 1,393, the 310th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $43,958, which is 51% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 51% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
Appleton Quick Facts
How Appleton 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 | 1,360 | 1,393 | +2.4% |
| Median household income | $40,117 | $43,958 | +9.6% |
| Median home value | $71,300 | $77,000 | +8.0% |
How Appleton 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+)
Appleton Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Swift County
Cities Similar to Appleton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheaton | 1,389 | $45,781 | $87,500 | 18.0% | 15.4% |
| Red Lake | 1,481 | $46,328 | $116,500 | 11.8% | 41.4% |
| Fosston | 1,374 | $52,500 | $151,700 | 20.7% | 25.6% |
| Pierz | 1,424 | $52,500 | $170,600 | 18.1% | 10.0% |
| Babbitt | 1,393 | $55,875 | $102,300 | 16.9% | 10.5% |
Population Overview
Appleton is a small community located in Minnesota, within Swift County. The total population is 1,393. It ranks as the 310th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Appleton is 46.5 years. This is 20% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. 14.7% 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 Appleton is $43,958. This is 51% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 46% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.3%. This is 204% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.3%. This is 55% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $77,000. Housing costs are 77% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Appleton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Appleton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.5%. The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 7.0%.
Education
15.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 62% 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 88.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Appleton, 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 Appleton, Minnesota?
Appleton, Minnesota has a population of 1,393 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Appleton, MN?
The median household income in Appleton is $43,958, which is 46% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Appleton, MN?
The poverty rate in Appleton is 28.3%. This means approximately 380 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Appleton, Minnesota?
Appleton's population is 76.9% White, 1.1% Black, 6.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Appleton, MN?
The median home value in Appleton is $77,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Appleton, Minnesota?
15.0% of adults (25+) in Appleton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.