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Lake City, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lake City, Minnesota had a total population of 5,034, the 150th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $72,244, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.9%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Key Takeaways

Lake City Quick Facts

Population 5,034
Median Household Income $72,244
Median Home Value $238,700
Poverty Rate 5.9%
Unemployment Rate 0.6%
Median Age 49.1 years
Homeownership Rate 79.2%
Affordability Ratio 3.3x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 28.4%
High School Graduation Rate 95.9%
Diversity Index 14/100
Population 5,034 150th of 914
Median Income $72,244 average
Poverty Rate 5.9% 52% lower than national
Median Home Value $238,700 above average

How Lake City Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population5,0215,034+0.3%
Median household income$76,125$72,244-5.1%
Median home value$234,100$238,700+2.0%

How Lake City Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 15.3%
$25K-$50K 21.5%
$50K-$100K 30.2%
$100K+ 33.0%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
5.2%
$10K-$15K
3.5%
$15K-$20K
3.5%
$20K-$25K
3.1%
$25K-$30K
2.9%
$30K-$35K
4.3%
$35K-$40K
3.7%
$40K-$45K
5.2%
$45K-$50K
5.5%
$50K-$60K
7.9%
$60K-$75K
8.9%
$75K-$100K
13.4%
$100K-$125K
10.5%
$125K-$150K
6.1%
$150K-$200K
9.9%
$200K+
6.4%

Employment

0.6% Unemployment Rate State: 4.1%|National: 5.2%
61.5% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 79.2%
Renter 20.8%
Affordability Index Affordable
3.3x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $871/mo 14.5% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

14out of 100
Very Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 41 | National average: 61

Education

Lake City Rankings in Minnesota

#150 Population of 914
#394 Median Income of 887
#257 Education of 914
#286 Home Value of 870

Other Cities in Goodhue County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Red Wing 16,758 $67,192 13.8% $237,300
Cannon Falls 4,227 $84,097 9.2% $263,300
Zumbrota 3,914 $78,156 7.2% $249,300
Kenyon 1,824 $82,500 13.6% $216,800
Wanamingo 1,389 $71,731 13.4% $269,200
Goodhue 1,074 $89,398 17.0% $243,500
Bellechester 227 $64,167 8.4% $196,300
Frontenac 188 $88,542 3.2% $266,700

Cities Similar to Lake City

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Morris5,128$67,727$209,60037.3%15.9%
Newport4,754$71,979$378,10027.4%9.4%
Windom4,799$74,899$169,70026.1%14.3%
Luverne4,925$64,366$208,00029.2%12.2%
Montevideo5,315$68,596$141,00019.0%19.6%

Population Overview

Lake City is a small city located in Minnesota, within Goodhue County. The total population is 5,034. It ranks as the 150th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.

Age Demographics

The median age in Lake City is 49.1 years. This is 27% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. 13.5% 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 Lake City is $72,244. This is 19% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 11% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.9%. This is 36% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 0.6%. This is 85% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $238,700. Housing costs are 28% lower than the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 79.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 72.2%.

Race & Ethnicity

Lake City has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.0%. The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.0%) is well below the state average of 6.4%. The Asian population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.

Education

28.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 28% 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 95.9%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Lake 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 Lake City, Minnesota?

Lake City, Minnesota has a population of 5,034 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Lake City, MN?

The median household income in Lake City is $72,244, which is 11% lower than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Lake City, MN?

The poverty rate in Lake City is 5.9%. This means approximately 291 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Lake City, Minnesota?

Lake City's population is 92.5% White, 0.7% Black, 3.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.

What is the median home value in Lake City, MN?

The median home value in Lake City is $238,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.

How educated is Lake City, Minnesota?

28.4% of adults (25+) in Lake City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.