Hawley, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hawley, Minnesota had a total population of 2,178, the 252nd largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $99,188, which is 11% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.6% — among the lowest in Minnesota.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.1%.
Hawley Quick Facts
How Hawley 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 | 2,086 | 2,178 | +4.4% |
| Median household income | $92,017 | $99,188 | +7.8% |
| Median home value | $265,500 | $280,400 | +5.6% |
How Hawley 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+)
Hawley Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Clay County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moorhead | 45,036 | $72,761 | 16.1% | $249,000 |
| Dilworth | 4,713 | $90,694 | 15.1% | $261,800 |
| Barnesville | 2,762 | $97,917 | 1.8% | $248,700 |
| Glyndon | 1,098 | $95,313 | 8.0% | $264,800 |
| Sabin | 718 | $128,500 | 0.7% | $265,700 |
| Ulen | 413 | $60,556 | 24.4% | $174,300 |
| Hitterdal | 314 | $48,750 | 14.3% | $151,600 |
| Felton | 186 | $40,000 | 18.4% | $157,700 |
| Comstock | 100 | $76,250 | 1.0% | $162,500 |
| Georgetown | 72 | $41,750 | 16.7% | $115,000 |
Cities Similar to Hawley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rice | 2,085 | $107,692 | $266,600 | 28.8% | 3.0% |
| Maple Lake | 2,042 | $93,750 | $246,800 | 17.5% | 4.4% |
| Waverly | 2,285 | $112,222 | $323,100 | 24.6% | 10.6% |
| Nisswa | 1,954 | $100,000 | $481,200 | 50.9% | 5.0% |
| St. Bonifacius | 1,997 | $109,922 | $355,800 | 36.5% | 2.2% |
Population Overview
Hawley is a small community located in Minnesota, within Clay County. The total population is 2,178. It ranks as the 252nd most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hawley is 41.1 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. With 30.3% of the population under 18, Hawley has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Hawley is $99,188. This is 11% higher than the state median of $89,062. It is also 23% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.6%. This is 51% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 2.1%. This is 49% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $280,400. Housing costs are 15% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Hawley is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Hawley has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.4%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 7.0%.
Education
36.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% 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 94.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hawley, 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 Hawley, Minnesota?
Hawley, Minnesota has a population of 2,178 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hawley, MN?
The median household income in Hawley is $99,188, which is 23% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hawley, MN?
The poverty rate in Hawley is 4.6%. This means approximately 100 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hawley, Minnesota?
Hawley's population is 92.0% White, 0.4% Black, 7.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hawley, MN?
The median home value in Hawley is $280,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Hawley, Minnesota?
36.1% of adults (25+) in Hawley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.