Brooten, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Brooten, Minnesota had a total population of 602, the 458th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $48,250, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 9.7% is notably above the national average.
Brooten Quick Facts
How Brooten 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 | 582 | 602 | +3.4% |
| Median household income | $47,500 | $48,250 | +1.6% |
| Median home value | $128,900 | $144,000 | +11.7% |
How Brooten 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+)
Brooten Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Stearns County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Cloud | 70,629 | $61,374 | 20.2% | $225,000 |
| Sartell | 19,758 | $84,131 | 7.4% | $297,300 |
| Waite Park | 8,399 | $59,285 | 21.2% | $219,400 |
| St. Joseph | 7,021 | $74,946 | 19.1% | $237,700 |
| Sauk Centre | 4,621 | $62,628 | 19.5% | $225,700 |
| Cold Spring | 4,249 | $72,228 | 9.8% | $280,400 |
| Melrose | 3,671 | $59,677 | 8.5% | $207,200 |
| St. Augusta | 3,625 | $140,227 | 0.0% | $388,400 |
| Albany | 2,821 | $69,167 | 10.8% | $238,500 |
| Paynesville | 2,519 | $75,250 | 5.6% | $178,200 |
Cities Similar to Brooten
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motley | 608 | $47,222 | $152,800 | 9.8% | 11.7% |
| Eagle Bend | 597 | $49,559 | $99,100 | 5.3% | 15.8% |
| Clearbrook | 584 | $48,750 | $107,600 | 17.4% | 13.1% |
| Clarissa | 622 | $47,188 | $102,600 | 7.0% | 14.0% |
| Cass Lake | 635 | $48,250 | $109,900 | 21.7% | 22.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 602, Brooten'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
Brooten is a small community located in Minnesota, within Stearns County. The total population is 602. It ranks as the 458th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Brooten is 45.8 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. Only 14.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 11.8% 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 Brooten is $48,250. This is 46% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.4%. This is 98% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 9.7%. This is 140% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $144,000. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 73.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Brooten is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 18.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (18.1% vs 6.4%). The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
17.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% 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 87.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Brooten, 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 Brooten, Minnesota?
Brooten, Minnesota has a population of 602 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Brooten, MN?
The median household income in Brooten is $48,250, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Brooten, MN?
The poverty rate in Brooten is 18.4%. This means approximately 111 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Brooten, Minnesota?
Brooten's population is 74.8% White, 0.0% Black, 18.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Brooten, MN?
The median home value in Brooten is $144,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Brooten, Minnesota?
17.3% of adults (25+) in Brooten hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.