Hill City, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hill City, Minnesota had a total population of 503, the 497th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $37,396, which is 58% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 58% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 17.8% is notably above the national average.
Hill City Quick Facts
How Hill City 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 | 543 | 503 | -7.4% |
| Median household income | $39,583 | $37,396 | -5.5% |
| Median home value | $102,900 | $162,000 | +57.4% |
How Hill City 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+)
Hill City Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Aitkin County
Cities Similar to Hill City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floodwood | 497 | $36,563 | $92,100 | 6.4% | 24.1% |
| Naytahwaush | 478 | $37,917 | $88,800 | 7.3% | 35.6% |
| Barnum | 503 | $43,438 | $155,200 | 19.6% | 18.5% |
| Elmore | 451 | $41,250 | $46,700 | 9.8% | 24.4% |
| Crown College | 422 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 503, Hill City'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
Hill City is a small community located in Minnesota, within Aitkin County. The total population is 503. It ranks as the 497th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hill City is 52.1 years. This is 34% higher than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Hill City is $37,396. This is 58% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 54% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.0%. This is 190% 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 17.8%. This is 338% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $162,000. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 67.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Hill City has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.0% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.0%. The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 7.0%.
Education
15.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 60% 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 95.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hill City, 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 Hill City, Minnesota?
Hill City, Minnesota has a population of 503 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hill City, MN?
The median household income in Hill City is $37,396, which is 54% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hill City, MN?
The poverty rate in Hill City is 27.0%. This means approximately 135 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hill City, Minnesota?
Hill City's population is 94.0% White, 1.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hill City, MN?
The median home value in Hill City is $162,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Hill City, Minnesota?
15.9% of adults (25+) in Hill City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.