Elk River, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Elk River, Minnesota had a total population of 26,793, the 38th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $108,741, which is 22% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.4% — among the lowest in Minnesota.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.6%.
Elk River Quick Facts
How Elk River 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 | 26,367 | 26,793 | +1.6% |
| Median household income | $99,457 | $108,741 | +9.3% |
| Median home value | $338,300 | $370,100 | +9.4% |
How Elk River 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+)
Elk River Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Sherburne County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Lake | 12,367 | $120,549 | 5.6% | $330,200 |
| Zimmerman | 6,546 | $85,645 | 11.8% | $323,600 |
| Princeton | 5,274 | $62,219 | 8.5% | $218,700 |
| Becker | 5,034 | $86,094 | 9.5% | $271,300 |
| Clear Lake | 579 | $105,625 | 5.0% | $281,300 |
Cities Similar to Elk River
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shoreview | 26,714 | $108,370 | $383,700 | 61.2% | 5.6% |
| Chaska | 28,706 | $110,956 | $404,700 | 46.6% | 5.8% |
| Ramsey | 28,421 | $116,415 | $359,600 | 34.4% | 4.1% |
| Rosemount | 27,562 | $129,625 | $424,100 | 51.6% | 3.0% |
| Oakdale | 28,585 | $93,772 | $318,100 | 35.6% | 5.7% |
Population Overview
Elk River is a mid-sized community located in Minnesota, within Sherburne County. The total population is 26,793. It ranks as the 38th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elk River is 37.2 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Elk River is $108,741. This is 22% higher than the state median of $89,062. It is also 35% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.4%. This is 63% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 1.6%. This is 61% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $370,100. Housing costs are 12% higher than the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 79.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Elk River is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 4.7%. The Asian population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
33.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 14% 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 94.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Elk River, 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 Elk River, Minnesota?
Elk River, Minnesota has a population of 26,793 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Elk River, MN?
The median household income in Elk River is $108,741, which is 35% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Elk River, MN?
The poverty rate in Elk River is 3.4%. This means approximately 898 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Elk River, Minnesota?
Elk River's population is 83.7% White, 4.7% Black, 3.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Elk River, MN?
The median home value in Elk River is $370,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Elk River, Minnesota?
33.8% of adults (25+) in Elk River hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.