Lake Elmo, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lake Elmo, Minnesota had a total population of 13,140, the 86th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $153,669, which is 73% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 73% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Minnesota.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.8% — among the lowest in Minnesota.
- 61.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Minnesota.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.3%.
Lake Elmo Quick Facts
How Lake Elmo 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 | 12,504 | 13,140 | +5.1% |
| Median household income | $153,407 | $153,669 | +0.2% |
| Median home value | $588,900 | $597,000 | +1.4% |
How Lake Elmo 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 Elmo Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Washington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodbury | 78,305 | $125,310 | 5.3% | $450,200 |
| Cottage Grove | 40,992 | $120,791 | 4.2% | $378,800 |
| Oakdale | 28,585 | $93,772 | 5.7% | $318,100 |
| Forest Lake | 20,729 | $92,944 | 7.0% | $393,500 |
| Stillwater | 19,355 | $105,853 | 7.3% | $414,200 |
| Hugo | 16,340 | $116,228 | 2.8% | $408,900 |
| Mahtomedi | 8,133 | $123,319 | 3.8% | $476,000 |
| St. Paul Park | 5,457 | $100,642 | 5.0% | $263,500 |
| Oak Park Heights | 4,756 | $82,476 | 7.1% | $354,800 |
| Newport | 4,754 | $71,979 | 9.4% | $378,100 |
Cities Similar to Lake Elmo
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rogers | 13,685 | $158,750 | $459,700 | 55.3% | 1.9% |
| Big Lake | 12,367 | $120,549 | $330,200 | 26.8% | 5.6% |
| Waconia | 13,434 | $111,031 | $431,000 | 48.9% | 4.0% |
| Mendota Heights | 11,612 | $132,768 | $520,300 | 67.5% | 2.8% |
| Vadnais Heights | 12,838 | $98,685 | $363,100 | 45.9% | 3.9% |
Population Overview
Lake Elmo is a small city located in Minnesota, within Washington County. The total population is 13,140. It ranks as the 86th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lake Elmo is 40.8 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lake Elmo is $153,669. This is 73% higher than the state median of $89,062. It is also 90% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.8%. This is 48% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 2.3%. This is 43% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $597,000. Housing costs are 81% higher than the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 93.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% higher than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Lake Elmo has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.8% of all residents. Asian residents account for 3.2%. The Black or African American population (2.3%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.8%) is well below the state average of 6.4%.
Education
61.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Lake Elmo in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 57% higher 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 98.5%. Notably, 23.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lake Elmo, 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 Elmo, Minnesota?
Lake Elmo, Minnesota has a population of 13,140 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lake Elmo, MN?
The median household income in Lake Elmo is $153,669, which is 90% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lake Elmo, MN?
The poverty rate in Lake Elmo is 4.8%. This means approximately 631 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lake Elmo, Minnesota?
Lake Elmo's population is 86.8% White, 2.3% Black, 2.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lake Elmo, MN?
The median home value in Lake Elmo is $597,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is Lake Elmo, Minnesota?
61.9% of adults (25+) in Lake Elmo hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 23.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.