Big Lake, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Big Lake, Minnesota had a total population of 378, the 563rd largest community in Minnesota, with a median household income of $92,500, which is 4% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Big Lake Quick Facts
How Big Lake 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 | 351 | 378 | +7.7% |
| Median household income | $84,583 | $92,500 | +9.4% |
| Median home value | $251,000 | $256,800 | +2.3% |
How Big Lake 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+)
Big Lake Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Carlton County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cloquet | 12,537 | $61,367 | 15.9% | $212,700 |
| Moose Lake | 2,863 | $64,286 | 51.2% | $205,000 |
| Esko | 1,813 | $109,063 | 3.5% | $318,800 |
| Scanlon | 1,146 | $68,750 | 7.6% | $228,800 |
| Carlton | 875 | $63,375 | 6.0% | $201,400 |
| Barnum | 503 | $43,438 | 18.5% | $155,200 |
| Mahtowa | 428 | $78,750 | 3.7% | $273,400 |
| Cromwell | 423 | $58,750 | 6.1% | $156,300 |
| Wrenshall | 404 | $98,750 | 7.3% | $243,200 |
| Kettle River | 140 | $65,000 | 12.9% | $154,200 |
Cities Similar to Big Lake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ponemah | 391 | N/A | $123,600 | 0.0% | 21.0% |
| Fisher | 396 | $93,542 | $179,000 | 24.4% | 5.8% |
| Orr | 368 | $97,716 | $93,500 | 14.3% | 14.2% |
| Dexter | 350 | $93,750 | $185,900 | 14.5% | 14.9% |
| Wrenshall | 404 | $98,750 | $243,200 | 23.6% | 7.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 378, Big Lake'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
Big Lake is a small community located in Minnesota, within Carlton County. The total population is 378. It ranks as the 563rd most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Big Lake is 42.8 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Big Lake is $92,500. This is 4% higher than the state median of $89,062. It is also 15% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.7%. This is 37% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 6.7%. This is 66% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $256,800. Housing costs are 22% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Big Lake is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 91.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% higher than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Big Lake is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.1%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 6.4%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
20.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% 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 94.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Big Lake, 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 Big Lake, Minnesota?
Big Lake, Minnesota has a population of 378 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Big Lake, MN?
The median household income in Big Lake is $92,500, which is 15% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Big Lake, MN?
The poverty rate in Big Lake is 12.7%. This means approximately 48 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Big Lake, Minnesota?
Big Lake's population is 65.9% White, 0.5% Black, 1.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Big Lake, MN?
The median home value in Big Lake is $256,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Big Lake, Minnesota?
20.6% of adults (25+) in Big Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.