Elbow Lake, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Elbow Lake, Minnesota had a total population of 76, the 826th largest community in Minnesota, with a median household income of $29,583, which is 67% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 43.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 67% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (43.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 5.6% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 11.1% is notably above the national average.
Elbow Lake Quick Facts
How Elbow Lake 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 | 78 | 76 | -2.6% |
| Median household income | $30,000 | $29,583 | -1.4% |
How Elbow Lake 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Elbow Lake Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Becker County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Lakes | 10,025 | $62,958 | 16.6% | $265,800 |
| 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 |
| Wolf Lake | 73 | $65,833 | 14.1% | $137,500 |
Cities Similar to Elbow Lake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essig | 76 | N/A | $160,900 | 36.8% | 31.6% |
| Effie | 77 | N/A | N/A | 8.2% | 3.9% |
| Ebro | 75 | N/A | $75,000 | 5.7% | 30.4% |
| Vining | 86 | N/A | $125,000 | 6.1% | 7.0% |
| Beaver Bay | 82 | $36,875 | $238,200 | 21.6% | 23.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 76, Elbow Lake'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
Elbow Lake is a small community located in Minnesota, within Becker County. The total population is 76. It ranks as the 826th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elbow Lake is 46.1 years. This is 19% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. 15.8% 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 is $29,583. This is 67% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 63% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 43.4%. This is 367% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. 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 11.1%. This is 174% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. 65.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Elbow Lake is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. The White (non-Hispanic) population (18.4%) is well below the state average of 75.9%.
Education
5.6% 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 86% 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 61.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Elbow Lake, 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 Elbow Lake, Minnesota?
Elbow Lake, Minnesota has a population of 76 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Elbow Lake, MN?
The median household income in Elbow Lake is $29,583, which is 63% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Elbow Lake, MN?
The poverty rate in Elbow Lake is 43.4%. This means approximately 33 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Elbow Lake, Minnesota?
Elbow Lake's population is 18.4% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Elbow Lake, MN?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Elbow Lake — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Elbow Lake, Minnesota?
5.6% of adults (25+) in Elbow Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.