Brookston, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Brookston, Minnesota had a total population of 103, the 792nd largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $52,500, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 28.1% is notably above the national average.
Brookston Quick Facts
How Brookston 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 | 69 | 103 | +49.3% |
| Median household income | $45,833 | $52,500 | +14.5% |
| Median home value | $120,800 | $145,800 | +20.7% |
How Brookston 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+)
Brookston Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in St. Louis County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | 87,093 | $68,807 | 16.8% | $242,700 |
| Hibbing | 16,057 | $55,789 | 16.2% | $130,200 |
| Hermantown | 10,218 | $90,849 | 5.4% | $382,300 |
| Virginia | 8,332 | $51,720 | 18.0% | $120,600 |
| Chisholm | 4,712 | $50,891 | 14.0% | $109,200 |
| Rice Lake | 4,153 | $89,663 | 7.2% | $309,600 |
| Eveleth | 3,448 | $50,725 | 14.8% | $97,600 |
| Ely | 3,240 | $43,901 | 13.9% | $157,300 |
| Proctor | 3,100 | $67,377 | 5.8% | $224,700 |
| Mountain Iron | 2,860 | $83,293 | 11.5% | $192,800 |
Cities Similar to Brookston
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunburg | 106 | $48,750 | $92,500 | 5.8% | 17.3% |
| Avoca | 100 | $48,125 | $58,800 | 10.3% | 7.0% |
| Clements | 109 | $54,375 | $63,100 | 5.3% | 25.2% |
| Squaw Lake | 104 | $60,000 | $181,300 | 5.9% | 26.9% |
| Elkton | 94 | $53,523 | $191,100 | 12.5% | 7.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 103, Brookston'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
Brookston is a small community located in Minnesota, within St. Louis County. The total population is 103. It ranks as the 792nd most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Brookston is 54.9 years. This is 41% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. Only 10.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 17.5% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Brookston is $52,500. This is 41% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.6%. This is 57% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 28.1%. This is 593% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $145,800. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Brookston is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 91.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% higher than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Brookston is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 6.8%.
Education
15.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 61% 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 88.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Brookston, 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 Brookston, Minnesota?
Brookston, Minnesota has a population of 103 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Brookston, MN?
The median household income in Brookston is $52,500, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Brookston, MN?
The poverty rate in Brookston is 14.6%. This means approximately 12 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Brookston, Minnesota?
Brookston's population is 74.8% White, 6.8% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Brookston, MN?
The median home value in Brookston is $145,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Brookston, Minnesota?
15.2% of adults (25+) in Brookston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.