Dalton, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dalton, Minnesota had a total population of 223, the 674th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $68,659, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 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 1.6x.
Dalton Quick Facts
How Dalton 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 | 266 | 223 | -16.2% |
| Median household income | $66,094 | $68,659 | +3.9% |
| Median home value | $104,500 | $106,800 | +2.2% |
How Dalton 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+)
Dalton Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Otter Tail County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fergus Falls | 14,181 | $56,162 | 9.1% | $194,000 |
| Perham | 3,627 | $49,716 | 19.1% | $199,000 |
| Pelican Rapids | 2,586 | $63,917 | 16.6% | $174,100 |
| New York Mills | 1,371 | $56,875 | 15.8% | $166,300 |
| Parkers Prairie | 980 | $57,578 | 10.8% | $168,500 |
| Henning | 860 | $45,500 | 13.8% | $135,700 |
| Battle Lake | 786 | $59,375 | 6.5% | $257,600 |
| Ottertail | 490 | $80,500 | 8.6% | $332,900 |
| Underwood | 461 | $75,000 | 9.5% | $187,500 |
| Rothsay | 454 | $86,250 | 7.3% | $153,400 |
Cities Similar to Dalton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pease | 217 | $66,667 | $178,900 | 11.2% | 7.2% |
| Bellechester | 227 | $64,167 | $196,300 | 8.0% | 8.4% |
| Beardsley | 229 | $64,375 | $77,700 | 13.3% | 18.8% |
| Williams | 237 | N/A | N/A | 4.7% | 9.7% |
| Lutsen | 222 | $76,944 | $376,700 | 62.8% | 7.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 223, Dalton'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
Dalton is a small community located in Minnesota, within Otter Tail County. The total population is 223. It ranks as the 674th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dalton is 34.5 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 38.8 years. Only 10.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dalton is $68,659. This is 23% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 15% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.7%. This is 28% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 7.5%. This is 84% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $106,800. Housing costs are 68% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Dalton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 89.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% higher than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Dalton has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.8% of all residents.
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 90.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dalton, 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 Dalton, Minnesota?
Dalton, Minnesota has a population of 223 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dalton, MN?
The median household income in Dalton is $68,659, which is 15% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dalton, MN?
The poverty rate in Dalton is 6.7%. This means approximately 15 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dalton, Minnesota?
Dalton's population is 92.8% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dalton, MN?
The median home value in Dalton is $106,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.6x.
How educated is Dalton, Minnesota?
5.8% of adults (25+) in Dalton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.