Fergus Falls, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fergus Falls, Minnesota had a total population of 14,181, the 79th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $56,162, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Fergus Falls Quick Facts
How Fergus Falls 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 | 14,138 | 14,181 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $50,865 | $56,162 | +10.4% |
| Median home value | $173,300 | $194,000 | +11.9% |
How Fergus Falls 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+)
Fergus Falls Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Otter Tail County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perham | 3,627 | $49,716 | 19.1% | $199,000 |
| Pelican Rapids | 2,586 | $63,917 | 16.6% | $174,100 |
| New York Mills | 1,371 | $56,875 | 15.8% | $166,300 |
| Parkers Prairie | 980 | $57,578 | 10.8% | $168,500 |
| Henning | 860 | $45,500 | 13.8% | $135,700 |
| Battle Lake | 786 | $59,375 | 6.5% | $257,600 |
| Ottertail | 490 | $80,500 | 8.6% | $332,900 |
| Underwood | 461 | $75,000 | 9.5% | $187,500 |
| Rothsay | 454 | $86,250 | 7.3% | $153,400 |
| Deer Creek | 330 | $52,273 | 8.8% | $120,800 |
Cities Similar to Fergus Falls
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brainerd | 14,468 | $56,111 | $192,500 | 20.3% | 15.0% |
| Worthington | 13,780 | $61,797 | $210,300 | 16.8% | 17.6% |
| New Ulm | 14,056 | $64,449 | $204,200 | 27.9% | 9.2% |
| Alexandria | 14,735 | $61,374 | $275,300 | 33.2% | 12.0% |
| Bemidji | 15,569 | $55,405 | $198,300 | 32.5% | 21.3% |
Population Overview
Fergus Falls is a small city located in Minnesota, within Otter Tail County. The total population is 14,181. It ranks as the 79th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fergus Falls is 43.3 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. 14.2% 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 is $56,162. This is 37% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.1%. This is 2% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 7.2%. This is 77% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $194,000. Housing costs are 41% lower than the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 64.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Fergus Falls has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.5% of all residents. Asian residents account for 1.8%. The Black or African American population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 6.4%. The Asian population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
29.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% 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 95.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fergus Falls, 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 Fergus Falls, Minnesota?
Fergus Falls, Minnesota has a population of 14,181 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fergus Falls, MN?
The median household income in Fergus Falls is $56,162, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fergus Falls, MN?
The poverty rate in Fergus Falls is 9.1%. This means approximately 1,239 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fergus Falls, Minnesota?
Fergus Falls's population is 90.5% White, 1.7% Black, 1.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fergus Falls, MN?
The median home value in Fergus Falls is $194,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Fergus Falls, Minnesota?
29.3% of adults (25+) in Fergus Falls hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.