Bemidji, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bemidji, Minnesota had a total population of 15,569, the 72nd largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $55,405, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Bemidji Quick Facts
How Bemidji 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 | 15,490 | 15,569 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $53,850 | $55,405 | +2.9% |
| Median home value | $189,500 | $198,300 | +4.6% |
How Bemidji 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+)
Bemidji Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Beltrami County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redby | 1,495 | $57,059 | 22.4% | $108,000 |
| Red Lake | 1,481 | $46,328 | 41.4% | $116,500 |
| Little Rock | 944 | N/A | 35.5% | $41,900 |
| Blackduck | 699 | $36,447 | 25.9% | $96,900 |
| Ponemah | 391 | N/A | 21.0% | $123,600 |
| Kelliher | 341 | $102,529 | 24.6% | $179,600 |
| Wilton | 327 | $70,625 | 13.9% | $162,500 |
| Tenstrike | 207 | $58,750 | 9.2% | $281,800 |
| Solway | 117 | $96,250 | 7.7% | $215,000 |
| Turtle River | 58 | $89,375 | 0.0% | $205,000 |
Cities Similar to Bemidji
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hibbing | 16,057 | $55,789 | $130,200 | 18.6% | 16.2% |
| Brainerd | 14,468 | $56,111 | $192,500 | 20.3% | 15.0% |
| Fergus Falls | 14,181 | $56,162 | $194,000 | 29.3% | 9.1% |
| Alexandria | 14,735 | $61,374 | $275,300 | 33.2% | 12.0% |
| Red Wing | 16,758 | $67,192 | $237,300 | 25.3% | 13.8% |
Population Overview
Bemidji is a small city located in Minnesota, within Beltrami County. The total population is 15,569. It ranks as the 72nd most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bemidji is 30.0 years. This is 23% lower than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bemidji is $55,405. This is 38% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.3%. This is 129% 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 5.2%. This is 28% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $198,300. Housing costs are 40% lower than the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 43.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 40% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bemidji is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.2%. The Black or African American population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
32.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 18% 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 92.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bemidji, 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 Bemidji, Minnesota?
Bemidji, Minnesota has a population of 15,569 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bemidji, MN?
The median household income in Bemidji is $55,405, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bemidji, MN?
The poverty rate in Bemidji is 21.3%. This means approximately 3,010 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bemidji, Minnesota?
Bemidji's population is 70.9% White, 1.8% Black, 3.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bemidji, MN?
The median home value in Bemidji is $198,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Bemidji, Minnesota?
32.5% of adults (25+) in Bemidji hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.