Lakefield, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lakefield, Minnesota had a total population of 1,507, the 301st largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $71,648, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.5%.
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 1.9x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.5%.
Lakefield Quick Facts
How Lakefield 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 | 1,652 | 1,507 | -8.8% |
| Median household income | $62,656 | $71,648 | +14.4% |
| Median home value | $115,900 | $133,800 | +15.4% |
How Lakefield 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+)
Lakefield Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Jackson County
Cities Similar to Lakefield
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renville | 1,503 | $69,306 | $126,400 | 18.7% | 13.1% |
| Dawson | 1,513 | $68,929 | $137,500 | 20.1% | 7.6% |
| St. John's University | 1,580 | N/A | N/A | 78.6% | 28.4% |
| Richmond | 1,431 | $71,438 | $241,300 | 17.8% | 10.1% |
| Minneota | 1,594 | $74,091 | $161,300 | 22.5% | 6.8% |
Population Overview
Lakefield is a small community located in Minnesota, within Jackson County. The total population is 1,507. It ranks as the 301st most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lakefield is 43.3 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. 15.4% 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 Lakefield is $71,648. This is 20% 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 10.5%. This is 13% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 0.5%. This is 87% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $133,800. Housing costs are 59% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Lakefield is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 89.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% higher than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Lakefield has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.0%) is well below the state average of 6.4%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
18.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 53% 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 94.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lakefield, 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 Lakefield, Minnesota?
Lakefield, Minnesota has a population of 1,507 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lakefield, MN?
The median household income in Lakefield is $71,648, which is 11% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lakefield, MN?
The poverty rate in Lakefield is 10.5%. This means approximately 155 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lakefield, Minnesota?
Lakefield's population is 93.8% White, 0.0% Black, 3.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lakefield, MN?
The median home value in Lakefield is $133,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Lakefield, Minnesota?
18.7% of adults (25+) in Lakefield hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.