Backus city, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Backus city, Minnesota has a total population of 287, the 614th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $58,750, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.2%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 8.5% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.0%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.6%.
Backus city Quick Facts
How Backus city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 40 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Backus city Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Cass County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Gull Lake city | 1,173 | $128,548 | 3.0% | $522,000 |
| Lake Shore city | 1,117 | $96,923 | 6.5% | $532,500 |
| Pine River city | 928 | $39,858 | 23.6% | $133,300 |
| Walker city | 858 | $35,847 | 27.8% | $240,200 |
| Pillager city | 494 | $66,771 | 8.5% | $148,300 |
| Cass Lake city | 492 | $47,045 | 24.5% | $109,100 |
| Remer city | 348 | $42,750 | 24.5% | $146,300 |
| Hackensack city | 302 | $32,109 | 17.9% | $159,400 |
| Chickamaw Beach city | 218 | $85,625 | 4.1% | $275,000 |
| Okabena city | 200 | $98,750 | 9.0% | $99,300 |
Cities Similar to Backus city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hanley Falls city | 288 | $57,917 | $76,700 | 8.0% | 13.5% |
| Middle River city | 281 | $57,188 | $103,500 | 9.6% | 14.4% |
| Comfrey city | 297 | $60,750 | $93,300 | 15.7% | 11.1% |
| Eitzen city | 284 | $53,750 | $117,700 | 18.5% | 3.9% |
| Rutledge city | 278 | $62,917 | $111,700 | 7.2% | 13.2% |
Population Overview
Backus city is a small community located in Minnesota, within Cass County. The total population is 287. It ranks as the 614th most populous out of 913 cities and towns in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Backus city is 47.9 years. This is 24% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Backus city is $58,750. This is 33% lower than the state median of $87,556. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 25% lower. The poverty rate stands at 19.2%. This is 108% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.2%. The unemployment rate is 1.6%. This is 60% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $104,700. Housing costs are 66% lower than the state median of $305,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Backus city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 76.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 72.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Backus city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 72.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 7.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 6.2%. The Asian population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 5.0%.
Education
8.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 78% 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 95.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Backus 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 Backus city, Minnesota?
Backus city, Minnesota has a population of 287 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Backus city, MN?
The median household income in Backus city is $58,750, which is 25% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Backus city, MN?
The poverty rate in Backus city is 19.2%. This means approximately 55 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Backus city, Minnesota?
Backus city's population is 72.5% White, 7.0% Black, 0.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Backus city, MN?
The median home value in Backus city is $104,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Backus city, Minnesota?
8.5% of adults (25+) in Backus city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.