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Elbow Lake city, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026

Very AffordableHome value to income ratio of 2.1x is exceptionally low

As of 2026, Elbow Lake city, Minnesota has a total population of 1,158, the 339th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $56,786, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.6%.

Key Takeaways

Elbow Lake city Quick Facts

Population 1,158
Median Household Income $56,786
Median Home Value $118,900
Poverty Rate 17.6%
Unemployment Rate 4.8%
Median Age 38.2 years
Homeownership Rate 66.8%
Affordability Ratio 2.1x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 20.0%
High School Graduation Rate 93.8%
Diversity Index 11/100
Population 1,158 339th of 913
Median Income $56,786 bottom 30%
Poverty Rate 17.6% 42% higher national
Median Home Value $118,900 below average

How Elbow Lake city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

4.8% Unemployment Rate State: 3.9% | National: 5.2%
62.9% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 66.8%
Renter 33.2%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.1x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

11out of 100
Very Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 40 | National average: 60

Education

Elbow Lake city Rankings in Minnesota

#339 Population of 913
#629 Median Income of 913
#444 Education of 913
#607 Home Value of 913

Other Cities in Grant County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Hoffman city 708 $47,000 21.4% $127,700
Herman city 428 $72,917 9.6% $102,100
Ashby city 411 $55,250 14.4% $125,000
Barrett city 322 $58,125 8.5% $94,000
Wendell city 177 $68,125 23.2% $71,300
Norcross city 118 $96,442 0.0% $70,800

Cities Similar to Elbow Lake city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Redby CDP1,175$53,846$109,5004.4%16.8%
Fairfax city1,134$53,750$99,8009.4%14.8%
Hector city1,111$59,762$124,10014.7%7.8%
Truman city1,223$59,095$100,20019.5%9.9%
Parkers Prairie city1,089$58,750$152,50010.8%13.8%

Population Overview

Elbow Lake city is a small community located in Minnesota, within Grant County. The total population is 1,158. It ranks as the 339th most populous out of 913 cities and towns in Minnesota.

Age Demographics

The median age in Elbow Lake city is 38.2 years. This is 1% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. With 28.2% of the population under 18, Elbow Lake city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Elbow Lake city is $56,786. This is 35% lower than the state median of $87,556. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 28% lower. The poverty rate stands at 17.6%. This is 91% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.2%. The unemployment rate is 4.8%. This is 21% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $118,900. Housing costs are 61% lower than the state median of $305,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Elbow Lake city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 66.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 72.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

Elbow Lake city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 6.2%.

Education

20.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% 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 93.8%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Elbow Lake 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 Elbow Lake city, Minnesota?

Elbow Lake city, Minnesota has a population of 1,158 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Elbow Lake city, MN?

The median household income in Elbow Lake city is $56,786, which is 28% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Elbow Lake city, MN?

The poverty rate in Elbow Lake city is 17.6%. This means approximately 202 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Elbow Lake city, Minnesota?

Elbow Lake city's population is 93.9% White, 0.0% Black, 0.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.

What is the median home value in Elbow Lake city, MN?

The median home value in Elbow Lake city is $118,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.

How educated is Elbow Lake city, Minnesota?

20.0% of adults (25+) in Elbow Lake city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.