Bemidji city, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Bemidji city, Minnesota has a total population of 15,490, the 72nd largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $53,850, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Bemidji city Quick Facts
How Bemidji city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 40 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bemidji city Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Beltrami County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackduck city | 715 | $35,417 | 22.6% | $138,800 |
| Kelliher city | 347 | $100,316 | 25.3% | $178,700 |
| Wilton city | 326 | $68,125 | 15.5% | $152,500 |
| Tenstrike city | 203 | $50,833 | 7.4% | $236,500 |
| Solway city | 116 | $118,750 | 9.5% | $185,800 |
| Turtle River city | 67 | $85,250 | 1.5% | $212,500 |
| Funkley city | 61 | $23,750 | 85.3% | $22,700 |
Cities Similar to Bemidji city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hibbing city | 16,100 | $55,463 | $123,900 | 18.9% | 14.2% |
| Brainerd city | 14,474 | $53,705 | $178,600 | 19.5% | 16.7% |
| Fergus Falls city | 14,138 | $50,865 | $173,300 | 27.9% | 10.7% |
| Alexandria city | 14,579 | $61,558 | $247,200 | 31.8% | 11.2% |
| Red Wing city | 16,660 | $65,259 | $224,800 | 26.2% | 14.0% |
Population Overview
Bemidji city is a small city located in Minnesota, within Beltrami County. The total population is 15,490. It ranks as the 72nd most populous out of 913 cities and towns in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bemidji city is 29.8 years. This is 23% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bemidji city is $53,850. This is 38% lower than the state median of $87,556. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 31% lower. The poverty rate stands at 20.7%. This is 125% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.2%. 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 5.2%. This is 33% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $189,500. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $305,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 41.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 42% lower than the state average of 72.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bemidji city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.1%. The Black or African American population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 6.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.1%) is well below the state average of 6.2%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 5.0%.
Education
33.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 14% 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 92.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bemidji 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 Bemidji city, Minnesota?
Bemidji city, Minnesota has a population of 15,490 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bemidji city, MN?
The median household income in Bemidji city is $53,850, which is 31% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Bemidji city, MN?
The poverty rate in Bemidji city is 20.7%. This means approximately 2,895 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bemidji city, Minnesota?
Bemidji city's population is 74.0% White, 1.8% Black, 3.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bemidji city, MN?
The median home value in Bemidji city is $189,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Bemidji city, Minnesota?
33.3% of adults (25+) in Bemidji city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.