Carlton, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Carlton, Minnesota had a total population of 875, the 381st largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $63,375, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 11.5% is notably above the national average.
Carlton Quick Facts
How Carlton 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 | 891 | 875 | -1.8% |
| Median household income | $61,944 | $63,375 | +2.3% |
| Median home value | $205,300 | $201,400 | -1.9% |
How Carlton 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+)
Carlton Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Carlton County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cloquet | 12,537 | $61,367 | 15.9% | $212,700 |
| Moose Lake | 2,863 | $64,286 | 51.2% | $205,000 |
| Esko | 1,813 | $109,063 | 3.5% | $318,800 |
| Scanlon | 1,146 | $68,750 | 7.6% | $228,800 |
| Barnum | 503 | $43,438 | 18.5% | $155,200 |
| Mahtowa | 428 | $78,750 | 3.7% | $273,400 |
| Cromwell | 423 | $58,750 | 6.1% | $156,300 |
| Wrenshall | 404 | $98,750 | 7.3% | $243,200 |
| Big Lake | 378 | $92,500 | 12.7% | $256,800 |
| Kettle River | 140 | $65,000 | 12.9% | $154,200 |
Cities Similar to Carlton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarkfield | 913 | $63,359 | $95,600 | 14.3% | 10.7% |
| Hancock | 859 | $70,481 | $98,800 | 16.7% | 7.8% |
| Little Rock | 944 | N/A | $41,900 | 4.1% | 35.5% |
| Lamberton | 917 | $58,631 | $96,000 | 24.5% | 8.6% |
| McIntosh | 847 | $56,944 | $103,600 | 32.6% | 21.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 875, Carlton'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
Carlton is a small community located in Minnesota, within Carlton County. The total population is 875. It ranks as the 381st most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Carlton is 50.6 years. This is 30% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. Only 12.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 14.1% 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 Carlton is $63,375. This is 29% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 22% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.0%. This is 35% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 11.5%. This is 183% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $201,400. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 67.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Carlton has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.8% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 3.1%. The Black or African American population (3.1%) is well below the state average of 7.0%.
Education
21.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% 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 94.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Carlton, 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 Carlton, Minnesota?
Carlton, Minnesota has a population of 875 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Carlton, MN?
The median household income in Carlton is $63,375, which is 22% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Carlton, MN?
The poverty rate in Carlton is 6.0%. This means approximately 45 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Carlton, Minnesota?
Carlton's population is 91.8% White, 3.1% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Carlton, MN?
The median home value in Carlton is $201,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Carlton, Minnesota?
21.7% of adults (25+) in Carlton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.