Heron Lake city, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Heron Lake city, Minnesota has a total population of 591, the 464th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $66,607, which is 24% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.0%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.0%.
Heron Lake city Quick Facts
How Heron Lake city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 40 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Heron Lake city Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Jackson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson city | 3,298 | $57,328 | 14.0% | $118,900 |
| Lakefield city | 1,652 | $62,656 | 9.8% | $115,900 |
| Alpha city | 109 | $140,273 | 3.7% | $56,900 |
| Wilder city | 17 | N/A | 0.0% | $85,000 |
Cities Similar to Heron Lake city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Halstad city | 589 | $67,857 | $114,800 | 19.9% | 2.5% |
| Wabasso city | 598 | $63,900 | $105,100 | 20.9% | 8.0% |
| Kasota city | 602 | $70,200 | $171,400 | 11.2% | 23.6% |
| Lake Park city | 573 | $63,250 | $160,900 | 25.8% | 8.0% |
| Littlefork city | 577 | $61,685 | $114,500 | 26.8% | 6.3% |
Population Overview
Heron Lake city is a small community located in Minnesota, within Jackson County. The total population is 591. It ranks as the 464th most populous out of 913 cities and towns in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Heron Lake city is 40.4 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 14.5% 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 Heron Lake city is $66,607. This is 24% lower than the state median of $87,556. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 15% lower. The poverty rate stands at 8.0%. This is 13% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.2%. The unemployment rate is 0.0%. This is 100% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $86,200. Housing costs are 72% lower than the state median of $305,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x, Heron Lake city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 85.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 72.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Heron Lake city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 72.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 17.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (17.6% vs 6.2%). The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 5.0%.
Education
19.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% lower than the state rate of 38.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Heron Lake city, Minnesota is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Minnesota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 913 Census-designated places in Minnesota. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Heron Lake city, Minnesota?
Heron Lake city, Minnesota has a population of 591 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Heron Lake city, MN?
The median household income in Heron Lake city is $66,607, which is 15% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Heron Lake city, MN?
The poverty rate in Heron Lake city is 8.0%. This means approximately 46 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Heron Lake city, Minnesota?
Heron Lake city's population is 72.8% White, 0.0% Black, 17.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Heron Lake city, MN?
The median home value in Heron Lake city is $86,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.3x.
How educated is Heron Lake city, Minnesota?
19.9% of adults (25+) in Heron Lake city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.