Brainerd, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Brainerd, Minnesota had a total population of 14,468, the 76th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $56,111, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.0%.
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.
- Unemployment rate of 9.0% is notably above the national average.
Brainerd Quick Facts
How Brainerd 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 | 14,474 | 14,468 | -0.0% |
| Median household income | $53,705 | $56,111 | +4.5% |
| Median home value | $178,600 | $192,500 | +7.8% |
How Brainerd 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
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Brainerd Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Crow Wing County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baxter | 8,966 | $70,688 | 13.1% | $324,100 |
| Breezy Point | 2,687 | $85,938 | 6.2% | $340,800 |
| Crosslake | 2,521 | $79,635 | 8.6% | $473,700 |
| Crosby | 2,218 | $41,554 | 16.9% | $185,600 |
| Pequot Lakes | 2,079 | $63,699 | 6.6% | $289,300 |
| Nisswa | 1,954 | $100,000 | 5.0% | $481,200 |
| Deerwood | 710 | $62,981 | 10.8% | $225,000 |
| Emily | 693 | $68,250 | 15.3% | $348,800 |
| Ironton | 621 | $62,813 | 14.3% | $144,000 |
| Jenkins | 508 | $74,250 | 6.9% | $275,000 |
Cities Similar to Brainerd
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fergus Falls | 14,181 | $56,162 | $194,000 | 29.3% | 9.1% |
| Alexandria | 14,735 | $61,374 | $275,300 | 33.2% | 12.0% |
| Bemidji | 15,569 | $55,405 | $198,300 | 32.5% | 21.3% |
| Worthington | 13,780 | $61,797 | $210,300 | 16.8% | 17.6% |
| New Ulm | 14,056 | $64,449 | $204,200 | 27.9% | 9.2% |
Population Overview
Brainerd is a small city located in Minnesota, within Crow Wing County. The total population is 14,468. It ranks as the 76th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Brainerd is 35.1 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Brainerd is $56,111. 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 15.0%. This is 61% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 9.0%. This is 121% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $192,500. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 56.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Brainerd has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.1%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.1%) is well below the state average of 6.4%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
20.3% 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 92.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Brainerd, 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 Brainerd, Minnesota?
Brainerd, Minnesota has a population of 14,468 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Brainerd, MN?
The median household income in Brainerd is $56,111, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Brainerd, MN?
The poverty rate in Brainerd is 15.0%. This means approximately 2,095 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Brainerd, Minnesota?
Brainerd's population is 91.5% White, 0.8% Black, 3.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Brainerd, MN?
The median home value in Brainerd is $192,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Brainerd, Minnesota?
20.3% of adults (25+) in Brainerd hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.