Esko, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Esko, Minnesota had a total population of 1,813, the 279th largest community in Minnesota, with a median household income of $109,063, which is 22% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.5%.
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 3.5% — among the lowest in Minnesota.
- 52.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Minnesota.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.0%.
Esko Quick Facts
How Esko 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 | 2,063 | 1,813 | -12.1% |
| Median household income | $116,406 | $109,063 | -6.3% |
| Median home value | $278,800 | $318,800 | +14.3% |
How Esko 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+)
Esko Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Carlton County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cloquet | 12,537 | $61,367 | 15.9% | $212,700 |
| Moose Lake | 2,863 | $64,286 | 51.2% | $205,000 |
| Scanlon | 1,146 | $68,750 | 7.6% | $228,800 |
| Carlton | 875 | $63,375 | 6.0% | $201,400 |
| Barnum | 503 | $43,438 | 18.5% | $155,200 |
| Mahtowa | 428 | $78,750 | 3.7% | $273,400 |
| Cromwell | 423 | $58,750 | 6.1% | $156,300 |
| Wrenshall | 404 | $98,750 | 7.3% | $243,200 |
| Big Lake | 378 | $92,500 | 12.7% | $256,800 |
| Kettle River | 140 | $65,000 | 12.9% | $154,200 |
Cities Similar to Esko
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Lake | 1,728 | $109,063 | $422,600 | 56.0% | 5.5% |
| Dundas | 1,916 | $116,310 | $325,800 | 42.7% | 1.9% |
| Howard Lake | 1,832 | $92,188 | $273,600 | 23.1% | 10.3% |
| St. Bonifacius | 1,997 | $109,922 | $355,800 | 36.5% | 2.2% |
| Rock Creek | 1,748 | $94,856 | $318,200 | 18.0% | 8.8% |
Population Overview
Esko is a small community located in Minnesota, within Carlton County. The total population is 1,813. It ranks as the 279th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Esko is 46.8 years. This is 21% higher than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Esko is $109,063. 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 3.5%. This is 62% 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 2.0%. This is 50% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $318,800. Housing costs are 3% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Esko is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 86.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% higher than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Esko has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.0% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.5%. The Black or African American population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 7.0%.
Education
52.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Esko in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 33% higher than the state rate of 39.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample. Notably, 31.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Esko, 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 Esko, Minnesota?
Esko, Minnesota has a population of 1,813 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Esko, MN?
The median household income in Esko is $109,063, which is 35% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Esko, MN?
The poverty rate in Esko is 3.5%. This means approximately 64 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Esko, Minnesota?
Esko's population is 96.0% White, 1.5% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Esko, MN?
The median home value in Esko is $318,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Esko, Minnesota?
52.4% of adults (25+) in Esko hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 31.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.