Lake Crystal, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lake Crystal, Minnesota had a total population of 2,606, the 228th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $83,317, which is 6% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.8%.
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 2.5x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.5%.
Lake Crystal Quick Facts
How Lake Crystal 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 | 2,530 | 2,606 | +3.0% |
| Median household income | $77,979 | $83,317 | +6.8% |
| Median home value | $193,800 | $204,400 | +5.5% |
How Lake Crystal 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+)
Lake Crystal Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Blue Earth County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mankato | 45,473 | $66,873 | 20.6% | $261,700 |
| North Mankato | 14,211 | $80,791 | 4.5% | $262,100 |
| Eagle Lake | 3,281 | $96,964 | 6.2% | $276,500 |
| Mapleton | 1,728 | $80,909 | 13.4% | $181,900 |
| Madison Lake | 1,322 | $87,727 | 6.8% | $303,100 |
| St. Clair | 710 | $106,136 | 4.9% | $218,000 |
| Minnesota Lake | 687 | $68,750 | 7.0% | $158,100 |
| Amboy | 602 | $69,844 | 13.8% | $134,400 |
| Good Thunder | 456 | $81,667 | 7.9% | $178,700 |
| Vernon Center | 329 | $70,000 | 4.3% | $143,300 |
Cities Similar to Lake Crystal
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breezy Point | 2,687 | $85,938 | $340,800 | 32.5% | 6.2% |
| Le Center | 2,513 | $80,673 | $209,600 | 17.9% | 5.0% |
| Crosslake | 2,521 | $79,635 | $473,700 | 30.4% | 8.6% |
| Paynesville | 2,519 | $75,250 | $178,200 | 27.2% | 5.6% |
| Chatfield | 2,559 | $96,078 | $241,600 | 32.1% | 5.3% |
Population Overview
Lake Crystal is a small community located in Minnesota, within Blue Earth County. The total population is 2,606. It ranks as the 228th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lake Crystal is 38.4 years. This is 1% lower than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lake Crystal is $83,317. This is 6% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 3% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.8%. This is 16% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 1.5%. This is 63% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $204,400. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Lake Crystal is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 83.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Lake Crystal has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.0%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 7.0%.
Education
27.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 30% 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 96.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lake Crystal, 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 Crystal, Minnesota?
Lake Crystal, Minnesota has a population of 2,606 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lake Crystal, MN?
The median household income in Lake Crystal is $83,317, which is 3% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lake Crystal, MN?
The poverty rate in Lake Crystal is 7.8%. This means approximately 203 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lake Crystal, Minnesota?
Lake Crystal's population is 92.8% White, 0.1% Black, 4.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lake Crystal, MN?
The median home value in Lake Crystal is $204,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Lake Crystal, Minnesota?
27.6% of adults (25+) in Lake Crystal hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.