Brownton, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Brownton, Minnesota had a total population of 546, the 482nd largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $79,712, which is 10% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 9.4% 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 2.0x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.1%.
Brownton Quick Facts
How Brownton 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 | 530 | 546 | +3.0% |
| Median household income | $77,159 | $79,712 | +3.3% |
| Median home value | $148,500 | $162,500 | +9.4% |
How Brownton 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+)
Brownton Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in McLeod County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hutchinson | 14,680 | $72,836 | 12.4% | $229,600 |
| Glencoe | 5,695 | $71,356 | 9.2% | $227,900 |
| Winsted | 2,181 | $67,200 | 11.3% | $201,900 |
| Lester Prairie | 1,898 | $96,544 | 3.0% | $237,400 |
| Silver Lake | 815 | $74,432 | 3.3% | $202,600 |
| Stewart | 644 | $65,982 | 6.7% | $125,400 |
| Plato | 242 | $91,250 | 0.0% | $239,700 |
| Biscay | 138 | $138,750 | 0.0% | $188,900 |
Cities Similar to Brownton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sturgeon Lake | 568 | $79,722 | $210,200 | 13.4% | 4.4% |
| Hamburg | 547 | $72,188 | $239,900 | 15.7% | 12.6% |
| Pennock | 549 | $72,031 | $153,900 | 10.0% | 12.2% |
| Cleveland | 563 | $85,750 | $212,800 | 21.9% | 6.8% |
| Pillager | 547 | $67,679 | $180,300 | 22.6% | 10.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 546, Brownton'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
Brownton is a small community located in Minnesota, within McLeod County. The total population is 546. It ranks as the 482nd most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Brownton is 46.5 years. This is 20% higher than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Brownton is $79,712. This is 10% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 1% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.7%. This is 15% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 2.1%. This is 49% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $162,500. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Brownton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 90.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% higher than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Brownton has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (13.4% vs 6.4%).
Education
9.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 76% 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 87.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Brownton, 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 Brownton, Minnesota?
Brownton, Minnesota has a population of 546 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Brownton, MN?
The median household income in Brownton is $79,712, which is 1% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Brownton, MN?
The poverty rate in Brownton is 10.7%. This means approximately 58 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Brownton, Minnesota?
Brownton's population is 85.7% White, 0.0% Black, 13.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Brownton, MN?
The median home value in Brownton is $162,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Brownton, Minnesota?
9.4% of adults (25+) in Brownton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.