Garrison, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Garrison, Minnesota had a total population of 156, the 733rd largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $51,250, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 4.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 14.0% is notably above the national average.
Garrison Quick Facts
How Garrison 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 | 151 | 156 | +3.3% |
| Median household income | $52,656 | $51,250 | -2.7% |
How Garrison 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+)
Garrison Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Crow Wing County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brainerd | 14,468 | $56,111 | 15.0% | $192,500 |
| Baxter | 8,966 | $70,688 | 13.1% | $324,100 |
| Breezy Point | 2,687 | $85,938 | 6.2% | $340,800 |
| Crosslake | 2,521 | $79,635 | 8.6% | $473,700 |
| Crosby | 2,218 | $41,554 | 16.9% | $185,600 |
| Pequot Lakes | 2,079 | $63,699 | 6.6% | $289,300 |
| Nisswa | 1,954 | $100,000 | 5.0% | $481,200 |
| Deerwood | 710 | $62,981 | 10.8% | $225,000 |
| Emily | 693 | $68,250 | 15.3% | $348,800 |
| Ironton | 621 | $62,813 | 14.3% | $144,000 |
Cities Similar to Garrison
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winger | 157 | $48,229 | $91,300 | 19.1% | 6.4% |
| Twin Lakes | 158 | $55,089 | N/A | 4.1% | 21.5% |
| Nelson | 155 | $57,188 | $157,500 | 3.5% | 9.0% |
| Silver Creek | 167 | $51,042 | $418,800 | 18.8% | 6.6% |
| Brook Park | 143 | N/A | $104,700 | 5.2% | 16.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 156, Garrison's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Garrison is a small community located in Minnesota, within Crow Wing County. The total population is 156. It ranks as the 733rd most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Garrison is 61.5 years. This is 59% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. Only 10.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 10.9% 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 Garrison is $51,250. This is 42% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.8%. This is 38% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 14.0%. This is 244% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. 72.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Garrison has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.2% of all residents.
Education
4.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 89% 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 74.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Garrison, 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 Garrison, Minnesota?
Garrison, Minnesota has a population of 156 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Garrison, MN?
The median household income in Garrison is $51,250, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Garrison, MN?
The poverty rate in Garrison is 12.8%. This means approximately 20 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Garrison, Minnesota?
Garrison's population is 96.2% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Garrison, MN?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Garrison — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Garrison, Minnesota?
4.3% of adults (25+) in Garrison hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.