Grand Marais, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Grand Marais, Minnesota had a total population of 1,796, the 280th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $70,583, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.9%.
Grand Marais Quick Facts
How Grand Marais 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 | 1,700 | 1,796 | +5.6% |
| Median household income | $73,846 | $70,583 | -4.4% |
| Median home value | $283,700 | $310,500 | +9.4% |
How Grand Marais 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+)
Grand Marais Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Cook County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lutsen | 222 | $76,944 | 7.7% | $376,700 |
Cities Similar to Grand Marais
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Bay | 1,769 | $69,489 | $158,900 | 21.8% | 9.9% |
| Rushford | 1,826 | $76,638 | $214,800 | 28.2% | 9.5% |
| Ada | 1,833 | $64,091 | $137,800 | 30.9% | 16.8% |
| Blooming Prairie | 1,843 | $63,656 | $161,300 | 29.8% | 7.5% |
| Kenyon | 1,824 | $82,500 | $216,800 | 17.6% | 13.6% |
Population Overview
Grand Marais is a small community located in Minnesota, within Cook County. The total population is 1,796. It ranks as the 280th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Grand Marais is 45.6 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. 12.4% 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 Grand Marais is $70,583. This is 21% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 13% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.1%. This is 8% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 0.9%. This is 79% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $310,500. Housing costs are 6% lower than the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 60.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Grand Marais has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.5%. The Black or African American population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 7.0%.
Education
42.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 7% higher 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 95.8%. Notably, 26.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Grand Marais, 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 Grand Marais, Minnesota?
Grand Marais, Minnesota has a population of 1,796 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Grand Marais, MN?
The median household income in Grand Marais is $70,583, which is 13% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Grand Marais, MN?
The poverty rate in Grand Marais is 10.1%. This means approximately 176 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Grand Marais, Minnesota?
Grand Marais's population is 87.1% White, 0.9% Black, 4.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Grand Marais, MN?
The median home value in Grand Marais is $310,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x.
How educated is Grand Marais, Minnesota?
42.2% of adults (25+) in Grand Marais hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 26.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.