Karlstad city, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Karlstad city, Minnesota has a total population of 622, the 451st largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $61,324, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.8%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.7%.
Karlstad city Quick Facts
How Karlstad city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 40 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Karlstad city Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Kittson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hallock city | 829 | $65,543 | 11.6% | $125,000 |
| Lancaster city | 344 | $65,313 | 2.3% | $118,200 |
| Kennedy city | 185 | $46,875 | 3.8% | $67,700 |
| Lake Bronson city | 175 | $46,250 | 10.4% | $42,900 |
| St. Vincent city | 47 | $49,167 | 6.4% | $65,000 |
| Halma city | 46 | $52,500 | 28.9% | $77,500 |
| Humboldt city | 42 | N/A | 45.2% | $209,400 |
| Donaldson city | 4 | N/A | 100.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Karlstad city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Lake city | 621 | $62,875 | $126,600 | 18.7% | 12.1% |
| Brownsville city | 624 | $63,977 | $161,600 | 23.4% | 9.0% |
| Brewster city | 605 | $59,688 | $130,500 | 8.3% | 6.9% |
| Deerwood city | 649 | $62,679 | $214,700 | 30.5% | 9.4% |
| Wabasso city | 598 | $63,900 | $105,100 | 20.9% | 8.0% |
Population Overview
Karlstad city is a small community located in Minnesota, within Kittson County. The total population is 622. It ranks as the 451st most populous out of 913 cities and towns in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Karlstad city is 49.7 years. This is 29% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 16.2% 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 Karlstad city is $61,324. This is 30% lower than the state median of $87,556. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 22% lower. The poverty rate stands at 11.8%. This is 28% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.2%. The unemployment rate is 0.7%. This is 82% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $120,300. Housing costs are 61% lower than the state median of $305,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Karlstad city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 72.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Karlstad city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.8% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 0.6%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 6.7%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 5.0%.
Education
36.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 6% 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 98.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Karlstad 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 Karlstad city, Minnesota?
Karlstad city, Minnesota has a population of 622 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Karlstad city, MN?
The median household income in Karlstad city is $61,324, which is 22% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Karlstad city, MN?
The poverty rate in Karlstad city is 11.8%. This means approximately 66 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Karlstad city, Minnesota?
Karlstad city's population is 97.8% White, 0.6% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Karlstad city, MN?
The median home value in Karlstad city is $120,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Karlstad city, Minnesota?
36.7% of adults (25+) in Karlstad city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.