Browns Valley, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Browns Valley, Minnesota had a total population of 382, the 561st largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $49,250, which is 45% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 45% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 5.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x.
- Unemployment rate of 10.9% is notably above the national average.
Browns Valley Quick Facts
How Browns Valley 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 | 453 | 382 | -15.7% |
| Median household income | $53,056 | $49,250 | -7.2% |
| Median home value | $76,500 | $73,800 | -3.5% |
How Browns Valley 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Browns Valley Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Traverse County
Cities Similar to Browns Valley
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% |
| Remer | 371 | $49,500 | $153,000 | 19.1% | 15.8% |
| Morton | 384 | $53,036 | $78,100 | 13.3% | 11.0% |
| Chokio | 392 | $47,000 | $92,500 | 21.6% | 12.5% |
| Jeffers | 368 | $50,500 | $87,400 | 8.6% | 41.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 382, Browns Valley'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
Browns Valley is a small community located in Minnesota, within Traverse County. The total population is 382. It ranks as the 561st most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Browns Valley is 50.6 years. This is 30% higher than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Browns Valley is $49,250. This is 45% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.3%. This is 107% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 10.9%. This is 169% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $73,800. Housing costs are 78% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x, Browns Valley is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 73.5% 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 Browns Valley is White (non-Hispanic), making up 56.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.2%.
Education
5.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 85% 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 82.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Browns Valley, 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 Browns Valley, Minnesota?
Browns Valley, Minnesota has a population of 382 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Browns Valley, MN?
The median household income in Browns Valley is $49,250, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Browns Valley, MN?
The poverty rate in Browns Valley is 19.3%. This means approximately 67 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Browns Valley, Minnesota?
Browns Valley's population is 56.8% White, 0.0% Black, 5.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Browns Valley, MN?
The median home value in Browns Valley is $73,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.5x.
How educated is Browns Valley, Minnesota?
5.8% of adults (25+) in Browns Valley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.