Deer River city, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Deer River city, Minnesota has a total population of 887, the 377th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $38,029, which is 57% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 33.1%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 57% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (33.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.1%.
Deer River city Quick Facts
How Deer River city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 40 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Deer River city Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Itasca County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids city | 11,186 | $56,542 | 17.6% | $200,600 |
| Cohasset city | 2,700 | $87,833 | 8.5% | $315,700 |
| Coleraine city | 1,888 | $67,083 | 13.7% | $179,900 |
| Keewatin city | 1,229 | $50,872 | 27.6% | $78,900 |
| Bovey city | 690 | $67,500 | 13.3% | $103,400 |
| La Prairie city | 621 | $75,192 | 4.2% | $202,300 |
| Taconite city | 541 | $100,089 | 3.5% | $217,900 |
| Bigfork city | 430 | $40,875 | 26.7% | $147,900 |
| Warba city | 164 | $48,542 | 21.3% | $105,400 |
| Squaw Lake city | 133 | $61,875 | 22.6% | $200,000 |
Cities Similar to Deer River city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walker city | 858 | $35,847 | $240,200 | 35.7% | 27.8% |
| Pine River city | 928 | $39,858 | $133,300 | 15.7% | 23.6% |
| Westbrook city | 831 | $36,667 | $73,000 | 23.3% | 21.4% |
| Landfall city | 802 | $39,938 | $26,300 | 10.7% | 14.1% |
| Henning city | 836 | $44,000 | $127,400 | 16.9% | 11.7% |
Population Overview
Deer River city is a small community located in Minnesota, within Itasca County. The total population is 887. It ranks as the 377th most populous out of 913 cities and towns in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Deer River city is 32.8 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Deer River city is $38,029. This is 57% lower than the state median of $87,556. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 52% lower. The poverty rate stands at 33.1%. This is 259% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.2%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 1.1%. This is 71% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $100,000. Housing costs are 67% lower than the state median of $305,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Deer River city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 64.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 72.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Deer River city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 6.2%.
Education
14.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 62% lower than the state rate of 38.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Deer River city, Minnesota is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Minnesota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 913 Census-designated places in Minnesota. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Deer River city, Minnesota?
Deer River city, Minnesota has a population of 887 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Deer River city, MN?
The median household income in Deer River city is $38,029, which is 52% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Deer River city, MN?
The poverty rate in Deer River city is 33.1%. This means approximately 282 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Deer River city, Minnesota?
Deer River city's population is 78.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Deer River city, MN?
The median home value in Deer River city is $100,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Deer River city, Minnesota?
14.9% of adults (25+) in Deer River city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.