Atwater, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Atwater, Minnesota had a total population of 1,203, the 335th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $71,042, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.5%.
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 2.3x.
- Unemployment rate of 8.7% is notably above the national average.
Atwater Quick Facts
How Atwater 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 | 1,217 | 1,203 | -1.2% |
| Median household income | $66,071 | $71,042 | +7.5% |
| Median home value | $144,300 | $159,900 | +10.8% |
How Atwater 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
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Atwater Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Kandiyohi County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willmar | 21,378 | $62,280 | 13.1% | $198,400 |
| Spicer | 1,222 | $77,969 | 7.7% | $294,700 |
| New London | 1,187 | $68,421 | 7.3% | $218,800 |
| Raymond | 692 | $64,563 | 15.6% | $158,100 |
| Prinsburg | 651 | $107,500 | 9.5% | $197,200 |
| Pennock | 549 | $72,031 | 12.2% | $153,900 |
| Kandiyohi | 493 | $73,214 | 5.5% | $161,600 |
| Lake Lillian | 157 | $60,250 | 5.9% | $114,200 |
| Blomkest | 129 | $62,083 | 5.4% | $110,700 |
| Sunburg | 106 | $48,750 | 17.3% | $92,500 |
Cities Similar to Atwater
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New London | 1,187 | $68,421 | $218,800 | 39.3% | 7.3% |
| Starbuck | 1,235 | $72,583 | $168,300 | 15.2% | 10.3% |
| Adrian | 1,236 | $73,438 | $165,500 | 23.3% | 7.7% |
| New Richland | 1,184 | $67,000 | $137,000 | 17.5% | 7.4% |
| Taylors Falls | 1,167 | $67,885 | $275,200 | 24.4% | 5.4% |
Population Overview
Atwater is a small community located in Minnesota, within Kandiyohi County. The total population is 1,203. It ranks as the 335th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Atwater is 33.1 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 38.8 years. With 32.6% of the population under 18, Atwater has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Atwater is $71,042. This is 20% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 12% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.5%. This is 41% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 8.7%. This is 115% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $159,900. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Atwater is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 80.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Atwater has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.8%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 6.4%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
18.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 54% 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 95.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Atwater, 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 Atwater, Minnesota?
Atwater, Minnesota has a population of 1,203 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Atwater, MN?
The median household income in Atwater is $71,042, which is 12% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Atwater, MN?
The poverty rate in Atwater is 5.5%. This means approximately 65 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Atwater, Minnesota?
Atwater's population is 86.5% White, 0.4% Black, 1.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Atwater, MN?
The median home value in Atwater is $159,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Atwater, Minnesota?
18.0% of adults (25+) in Atwater hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.