Elbow Lake CDP, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Elbow Lake CDP is a small community located in Minnesota. The total population is 78. It ranks as the 817th most populous out of 913 cities and towns in Minnesota.

Age Demographics

The median age in Elbow Lake CDP is 40.5 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. With 28.2% of the population under 18, Elbow Lake CDP has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community. 12.8% 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 Elbow Lake CDP is $30,000. This is 66% lower than the state median of $87,556. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 62% lower. The poverty rate stands at 38.5%. This is 318% 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 21.7%. This is 453% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $120,800. Housing costs are 60% lower than the state median of $305,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 60.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 72.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

Elbow Lake CDP is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (14.1%) is well below the state average of 76.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.6%) is well below the state average of 6.2%.

Education

0.0% 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 100% 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 62.3%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Elbow Lake CDP, 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.