Backus, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Backus, Minnesota had a total population of 291, the 615th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $56,250, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
Backus Quick Facts
How Backus 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 | 287 | 291 | +1.4% |
| Median household income | $58,750 | $56,250 | -4.3% |
| Median home value | $104,700 | $134,700 | +28.7% |
How Backus 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+)
Backus Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Cass County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Gull Lake | 1,076 | $123,333 | 3.6% | $553,700 |
| Lake Shore | 1,073 | $96,563 | 5.8% | $513,200 |
| Pine River | 906 | $43,080 | 29.1% | $180,400 |
| Walker | 848 | $34,375 | 21.5% | $261,800 |
| Cass Lake | 635 | $48,250 | 22.8% | $109,900 |
| Pillager | 547 | $67,679 | 10.2% | $180,300 |
| Remer | 371 | $49,500 | 15.8% | $153,000 |
| Chickamaw Beach | 248 | $110,000 | 4.8% | $298,800 |
| Hackensack | 248 | $41,250 | 25.7% | $176,800 |
| Federal Dam | 142 | $38,393 | 10.6% | $123,100 |
Cities Similar to Backus
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garfield | 282 | $56,696 | $166,600 | 7.1% | 2.1% |
| Bigelow | 297 | $58,359 | N/A | 6.9% | 11.8% |
| Grey Eagle | 295 | $51,250 | $184,800 | 9.8% | 15.9% |
| Eitzen | 281 | $53,438 | $116,800 | 22.3% | 4.6% |
| Wilmont | 280 | $60,179 | $157,500 | 10.8% | 2.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 291, Backus's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Backus is a small community located in Minnesota, within Cass County. The total population is 291. It ranks as the 615th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Backus is 45.3 years. This is 17% higher than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Backus is $56,250. This is 37% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.9%. This is 92% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 3.0%. This is 25% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $134,700. Housing costs are 59% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Backus is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Backus is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.8%. The Black or African American population (3.1%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
14.8% 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 91.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Backus, 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 Backus, Minnesota?
Backus, Minnesota has a population of 291 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Backus, MN?
The median household income in Backus is $56,250, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Backus, MN?
The poverty rate in Backus is 17.9%. This means approximately 52 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Backus, Minnesota?
Backus's population is 66.7% White, 3.1% Black, 3.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Backus, MN?
The median home value in Backus is $134,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Backus, Minnesota?
14.8% of adults (25+) in Backus hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.