Brainerd city, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Brainerd city, Minnesota has a total population of 14,474, the 76th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $53,705, which is 39% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 8.1% is notably above the national average.
Brainerd city Quick Facts
How Brainerd 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+)
Brainerd city Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Crow Wing County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baxter city | 8,804 | $71,272 | 10.8% | $298,400 |
| Crosslake city | 2,648 | $85,000 | 8.6% | $540,200 |
| Breezy Point city | 2,647 | $85,913 | 5.6% | $301,000 |
| Crosby city | 2,253 | $43,250 | 15.8% | $175,600 |
| Pequot Lakes city | 2,236 | $66,974 | 5.5% | $246,400 |
| Nisswa city | 1,744 | $100,167 | 6.4% | $475,700 |
| Emily city | 659 | $73,563 | 12.4% | $344,700 |
| Deerwood city | 649 | $62,679 | 9.4% | $214,700 |
| Ironton city | 557 | $55,536 | 15.4% | $128,300 |
| Jenkins city | 472 | $70,500 | 6.1% | $265,900 |
Cities Similar to Brainerd city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fergus Falls city | 14,138 | $50,865 | $173,300 | 27.9% | 10.7% |
| Bemidji city | 15,490 | $53,850 | $189,500 | 33.3% | 20.7% |
| Alexandria city | 14,579 | $61,558 | $247,200 | 31.8% | 11.2% |
| New Ulm city | 14,066 | $63,984 | $192,700 | 27.2% | 8.7% |
| Worthington city | 13,792 | $61,840 | $184,200 | 16.8% | 15.6% |
Population Overview
Brainerd city is a small city located in Minnesota, within Crow Wing County. The total population is 14,474. It ranks as the 76th most populous out of 913 cities and towns in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Brainerd city is 36.1 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Brainerd city is $53,705. This is 39% lower than the state median of $87,556. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 32% lower. The poverty rate stands at 16.7%. This is 82% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.2%. The unemployment rate is 8.1%. This is 105% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $178,600. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $305,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 57.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% lower than the state average of 72.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Brainerd city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.7%. The Black or African American population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 6.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.7%) is well below the state average of 6.2%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 5.0%.
Education
19.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% 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 92.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Brainerd 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 Brainerd city, Minnesota?
Brainerd city, Minnesota has a population of 14,474 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Brainerd city, MN?
The median household income in Brainerd city is $53,705, which is 32% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Brainerd city, MN?
The poverty rate in Brainerd city is 16.7%. This means approximately 2,321 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Brainerd city, Minnesota?
Brainerd city's population is 89.5% White, 1.6% Black, 2.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Brainerd city, MN?
The median home value in Brainerd city is $178,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Brainerd city, Minnesota?
19.5% of adults (25+) in Brainerd city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.