Fergus Falls city, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Fergus Falls city, Minnesota has a total population of 14,138, the 79th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $50,865, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Fergus Falls city Quick Facts
How Fergus Falls city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 40 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Fergus Falls city Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Otter Tail County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perham city | 3,577 | $47,088 | 19.5% | $186,000 |
| Pelican Rapids city | 2,589 | $65,482 | 17.1% | $177,700 |
| New York Mills city | 1,319 | $51,696 | 11.4% | $144,900 |
| Parkers Prairie city | 1,089 | $58,750 | 13.8% | $152,500 |
| Henning city | 836 | $44,000 | 11.7% | $127,400 |
| Battle Lake city | 794 | $58,125 | 5.3% | $221,000 |
| Ottertail city | 490 | $83,750 | 7.1% | $262,500 |
| Underwood city | 437 | $73,750 | 14.0% | $168,800 |
| Deer Creek city | 273 | $55,000 | 3.7% | $123,100 |
| Dalton city | 266 | $66,094 | 3.8% | $104,500 |
Cities Similar to Fergus Falls city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brainerd city | 14,474 | $53,705 | $178,600 | 19.5% | 16.7% |
| New Ulm city | 14,066 | $63,984 | $192,700 | 27.2% | 8.7% |
| Bemidji city | 15,490 | $53,850 | $189,500 | 33.3% | 20.7% |
| Worthington city | 13,792 | $61,840 | $184,200 | 16.8% | 15.6% |
| Alexandria city | 14,579 | $61,558 | $247,200 | 31.8% | 11.2% |
Population Overview
Fergus Falls city is a small city located in Minnesota, within Otter Tail County. The total population is 14,138. It ranks as the 79th most populous out of 913 cities and towns in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fergus Falls city is 42.0 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 13.1% 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 Fergus Falls city is $50,865. This is 42% lower than the state median of $87,556. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 35% lower. The poverty rate stands at 10.7%. This is 17% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.2%. The unemployment rate is 7.4%. This is 89% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $173,300. Housing costs are 43% lower than the state median of $305,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 63.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 72.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Fergus Falls city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.7% of all residents. Asian residents account for 1.9%. The Black or African American population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 6.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 6.2%. The Asian population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 5.0%.
Education
27.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 28% 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 95.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fergus Falls city, 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Fergus Falls city, Minnesota?
Fergus Falls city, Minnesota has a population of 14,138 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fergus Falls city, MN?
The median household income in Fergus Falls city is $50,865, which is 35% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Fergus Falls city, MN?
The poverty rate in Fergus Falls city is 10.7%. This means approximately 1,460 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fergus Falls city, Minnesota?
Fergus Falls city's population is 90.7% White, 1.2% Black, 1.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fergus Falls city, MN?
The median home value in Fergus Falls city is $173,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Fergus Falls city, Minnesota?
27.9% of adults (25+) in Fergus Falls city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.