Clearwater, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Clearwater, Minnesota had a total population of 1,970, the 266th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $91,346, which is 3% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.1%.
Clearwater Quick Facts
How Clearwater 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 | 1,904 | 1,970 | +3.5% |
| Median household income | $89,219 | $91,346 | +2.4% |
| Median home value | $248,100 | $271,800 | +9.6% |
How Clearwater 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+)
Clearwater 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 Clearwater
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maple Lake | 2,042 | $93,750 | $246,800 | 17.5% | 4.4% |
| Nisswa | 1,954 | $100,000 | $481,200 | 50.9% | 5.0% |
| Eyota | 1,944 | $82,930 | $278,200 | 27.1% | 9.1% |
| Lester Prairie | 1,898 | $96,544 | $237,400 | 13.0% | 3.0% |
| Howard Lake | 1,832 | $92,188 | $273,600 | 23.1% | 10.3% |
Population Overview
Clearwater is a small community located in Minnesota, within Stearns County. The total population is 1,970. It ranks as the 266th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Clearwater is 31.1 years. This is 20% lower than the state median of 38.8 years. With 28.5% of the population under 18, Clearwater has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Clearwater is $91,346. This is 3% higher than the state median of $89,062. It is also 13% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.5%. This is 30% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 2.1%. This is 47% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $271,800. Housing costs are 17% lower than the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 61.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Clearwater has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.0% of all residents. Asian residents account for 1.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 6.4%. The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
25.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% 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 96.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Clearwater, 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 Clearwater, Minnesota?
Clearwater, Minnesota has a population of 1,970 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Clearwater, MN?
The median household income in Clearwater is $91,346, which is 13% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Clearwater, MN?
The poverty rate in Clearwater is 6.5%. This means approximately 128 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Clearwater, Minnesota?
Clearwater's population is 93.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Clearwater, MN?
The median home value in Clearwater is $271,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Clearwater, Minnesota?
25.3% of adults (25+) in Clearwater hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.