Elbow Lake, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Elbow Lake, Minnesota had a total population of 1,301, the 323rd largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $59,792, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
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 | 1,158 | 1,301 | +12.3% |
| Median household income | $56,786 | $59,792 | +5.3% |
| Median home value | $118,900 | $126,900 | +6.7% |
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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Elbow Lake Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Grant County
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winnebago | 1,280 | $59,643 | $110,900 | 14.1% | 11.1% |
| Dassel | 1,358 | $59,946 | $236,800 | 23.0% | 13.3% |
| Menahga | 1,343 | $58,036 | $155,500 | 26.1% | 10.1% |
| Red Lake Falls | 1,348 | $64,342 | $139,300 | 17.9% | 5.9% |
| New York Mills | 1,371 | $56,875 | $166,300 | 16.8% | 15.8% |
Population Overview
Elbow Lake is a small community located in Minnesota, within Grant County. The total population is 1,301. It ranks as the 323rd most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elbow Lake is 37.6 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Elbow Lake is $59,792. This is 33% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 26% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.3%. This is 107% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 4.9%. This is 21% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $126,900. Housing costs are 61% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Elbow Lake is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Elbow Lake has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 6.4%.
Education
21.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% 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 94.8%.
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 1,301 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 $59,792, which is 26% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Elbow Lake, MN?
The poverty rate in Elbow Lake is 19.3%. This means approximately 249 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Elbow Lake, Minnesota?
Elbow Lake's population is 91.1% White, 0.0% Black, 2.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Elbow Lake, MN?
The median home value in Elbow Lake is $126,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Elbow Lake, Minnesota?
21.1% of adults (25+) in Elbow Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.