Karlstad, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Karlstad, Minnesota had a total population of 622, the 450th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $64,000, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
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 Quick Facts
How Karlstad 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 | 622 | 622 | +0.0% |
| Median household income | $61,324 | $64,000 | +4.4% |
| Median home value | $120,300 | $126,300 | +5.0% |
How Karlstad 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+)
Karlstad Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Kittson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hallock | 829 | $68,854 | 12.2% | $140,000 |
| Lancaster | 315 | $64,306 | 4.8% | $107,300 |
| Lake Bronson | 190 | $49,375 | 14.8% | $44,100 |
| Kennedy | 170 | $39,688 | 0.0% | $50,700 |
| St. Vincent | 45 | $58,750 | 0.0% | $105,000 |
| Humboldt | 44 | N/A | 43.2% | $207,800 |
| Halma | 36 | $70,313 | 8.6% | $67,500 |
| Donaldson | 5 | N/A | 40.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Karlstad
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ironton | 621 | $62,813 | $144,000 | 19.1% | 14.3% |
| Littlefork | 636 | $64,130 | $150,800 | 24.7% | 6.8% |
| Wabasso | 603 | $63,750 | $109,600 | 23.8% | 8.4% |
| Lake Park | 600 | $64,028 | $196,500 | 28.3% | 4.6% |
| Buffalo Lake | 635 | $66,167 | $113,400 | 17.1% | 20.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 622, Karlstad'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
Karlstad is a small community located in Minnesota, within Kittson County. The total population is 622. It ranks as the 450th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Karlstad is 50.2 years. This is 29% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. 14.3% 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 Karlstad is $64,000. This is 28% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 21% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.9%. This is 28% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 0.7%. This is 83% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $126,300. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Karlstad is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Karlstad has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.4% of all residents. Asian residents account for 0.2%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
39.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is about the same as 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 99.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Karlstad, 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 Karlstad, Minnesota?
Karlstad, 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, MN?
The median household income in Karlstad is $64,000, which is 21% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Karlstad, MN?
The poverty rate in Karlstad is 11.9%. This means approximately 67 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Karlstad, Minnesota?
Karlstad's population is 97.4% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Karlstad, MN?
The median home value in Karlstad is $126,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Karlstad, Minnesota?
39.5% of adults (25+) in Karlstad hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.