Detroit Lakes, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota had a total population of 10,025, the 102nd largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $62,958, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Detroit Lakes Quick Facts
How Detroit Lakes 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 | 10,002 | 10,025 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $62,123 | $62,958 | +1.3% |
| Median home value | $246,200 | $265,800 | +8.0% |
How Detroit Lakes 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+)
Detroit Lakes Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Becker County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frazee | 1,647 | $47,016 | 22.3% | $172,000 |
| Lake Park | 600 | $64,028 | 4.6% | $196,500 |
| White Earth | 506 | $17,450 | 63.6% | N/A |
| Audubon | 388 | $67,500 | 15.5% | $207,000 |
| Osage | 290 | $48,333 | 29.7% | $330,300 |
| Ogema | 257 | $55,250 | 38.1% | $73,000 |
| Pine Point | 241 | $40,000 | 43.3% | $85,700 |
| Callaway | 224 | $53,125 | 13.8% | $87,500 |
| Elbow Lake | 76 | $29,583 | 43.4% | N/A |
| Wolf Lake | 73 | $65,833 | 14.1% | $137,500 |
Cities Similar to Detroit Lakes
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge | 10,307 | $69,154 | $251,600 | 18.8% | 10.4% |
| Waseca | 9,164 | $64,074 | $189,200 | 17.2% | 9.5% |
| Fairmont | 10,296 | $53,084 | $169,900 | 25.7% | 15.3% |
| Grand Rapids | 11,207 | $61,029 | $213,800 | 28.8% | 15.5% |
| Little Canada | 10,514 | $77,957 | $319,800 | 40.3% | 11.5% |
Population Overview
Detroit Lakes is a small city located in Minnesota, within Becker County. The total population is 10,025. It ranks as the 102nd most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Detroit Lakes is 41.6 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. 12.3% 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 Detroit Lakes is $62,958. 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 16.6%. This is 79% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 6.8%. This is 67% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $265,800. Housing costs are 19% lower than the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 56.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Detroit Lakes has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.0% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 0.8%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 6.4%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
32.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% 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 92.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Detroit Lakes, 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 Detroit Lakes, Minnesota?
Detroit Lakes, Minnesota has a population of 10,025 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Detroit Lakes, MN?
The median household income in Detroit Lakes is $62,958, which is 22% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Detroit Lakes, MN?
The poverty rate in Detroit Lakes is 16.6%. This means approximately 1,596 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota?
Detroit Lakes's population is 88.0% White, 0.8% Black, 0.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Detroit Lakes, MN?
The median home value in Detroit Lakes is $265,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Detroit Lakes, Minnesota?
32.8% of adults (25+) in Detroit Lakes hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.