Howard Lake, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Howard Lake, Minnesota had a total population of 1,832, the 276th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $92,188, which is 4% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.3%.
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 1.4%.
Howard Lake Quick Facts
How Howard Lake 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 | 1,864 | 1,832 | -1.7% |
| Median household income | $99,464 | $92,188 | -7.3% |
| Median home value | $239,100 | $273,600 | +14.4% |
How Howard Lake 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+)
Howard Lake Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Wright County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otsego | 22,245 | $119,927 | 3.5% | $396,700 |
| St. Michael | 20,010 | $131,274 | 3.2% | $390,100 |
| Buffalo | 16,499 | $88,820 | 8.9% | $314,400 |
| Monticello | 14,858 | $79,534 | 6.8% | $323,700 |
| Albertville | 8,207 | $132,734 | 1.1% | $343,700 |
| Delano | 6,942 | $109,946 | 4.0% | $375,200 |
| Montrose | 3,888 | $102,625 | 5.3% | $275,700 |
| Annandale | 3,399 | $65,583 | 8.9% | $251,800 |
| Cokato | 2,782 | $70,288 | 14.4% | $223,300 |
| Waverly | 2,285 | $112,222 | 10.6% | $323,100 |
Cities Similar to Howard Lake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lester Prairie | 1,898 | $96,544 | $237,400 | 13.0% | 3.0% |
| Kenyon | 1,824 | $82,500 | $216,800 | 17.6% | 13.6% |
| Rock Creek | 1,748 | $94,856 | $318,200 | 18.0% | 8.8% |
| Clearwater | 1,970 | $91,346 | $271,800 | 25.3% | 6.5% |
| Maple Plain | 1,701 | $93,750 | $359,900 | 37.5% | 3.7% |
Population Overview
Howard Lake is a small community located in Minnesota, within Wright County. The total population is 1,832. It ranks as the 276th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Howard Lake is 48.4 years. This is 25% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. 11.3% 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 Howard Lake is $92,188. This is 4% higher than the state median of $89,062. It is also 14% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.3%. This is 11% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 1.4%. This is 66% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $273,600. Housing costs are 17% lower than the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 72.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Howard Lake has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.7%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.7%) is well below the state average of 6.4%.
Education
23.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% 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 94.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Howard Lake, 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 Howard Lake, Minnesota?
Howard Lake, Minnesota has a population of 1,832 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Howard Lake, MN?
The median household income in Howard Lake is $92,188, which is 14% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Howard Lake, MN?
The poverty rate in Howard Lake is 10.3%. This means approximately 186 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Howard Lake, Minnesota?
Howard Lake's population is 90.6% White, 0.1% Black, 2.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Howard Lake, MN?
The median home value in Howard Lake is $273,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Howard Lake, Minnesota?
23.1% of adults (25+) in Howard Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.