Fosston, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fosston, Minnesota had a total population of 1,374, the 316th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $52,500, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 10.0% is notably above the national average.
Fosston Quick Facts
How Fosston 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 | 1,283 | 1,374 | +7.1% |
| Median household income | $50,694 | $52,500 | +3.6% |
| Median home value | $126,500 | $151,700 | +19.9% |
How Fosston 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+)
Fosston Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Polk County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Grand Forks | 9,028 | $77,549 | 12.4% | $255,600 |
| Crookston | 7,344 | $57,315 | 15.6% | $185,600 |
| McIntosh | 847 | $56,944 | 21.7% | $103,600 |
| Fertile | 803 | $67,125 | 8.7% | $129,500 |
| Erskine | 427 | $44,844 | 9.4% | $117,100 |
| Fisher | 396 | $93,542 | 5.8% | $179,000 |
| Climax | 209 | $50,500 | 16.3% | $113,600 |
| Winger | 157 | $48,229 | 6.4% | $91,300 |
| Mentor | 131 | $41,667 | 10.7% | $80,700 |
| Nielsville | 102 | $32,500 | 53.9% | $37,000 |
Cities Similar to Fosston
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pierz | 1,424 | $52,500 | $170,600 | 18.1% | 10.0% |
| New York Mills | 1,371 | $56,875 | $166,300 | 16.8% | 15.8% |
| Babbitt | 1,393 | $55,875 | $102,300 | 16.9% | 10.5% |
| Menahga | 1,343 | $58,036 | $155,500 | 26.1% | 10.1% |
| Dassel | 1,358 | $59,946 | $236,800 | 23.0% | 13.3% |
Population Overview
Fosston is a small community located in Minnesota, within Polk County. The total population is 1,374. It ranks as the 316th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fosston is 41.6 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. 18.3% 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 Fosston is $52,500. This is 41% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.6%. This is 175% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 10.0%. This is 146% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $151,700. Housing costs are 54% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Fosston is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 55.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Fosston has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 6.4%.
Education
20.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% 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 84.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fosston, 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 Fosston, Minnesota?
Fosston, Minnesota has a population of 1,374 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fosston, MN?
The median household income in Fosston is $52,500, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fosston, MN?
The poverty rate in Fosston is 25.6%. This means approximately 325 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fosston, Minnesota?
Fosston's population is 92.5% White, 0.0% Black, 2.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fosston, MN?
The median home value in Fosston is $151,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Fosston, Minnesota?
20.7% of adults (25+) in Fosston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.