Lester Prairie, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lester Prairie, Minnesota had a total population of 1,898, the 272nd largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $96,544, which is 8% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.0% — among the lowest in Minnesota.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.8%.
Lester Prairie Quick Facts
How Lester Prairie 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 | 1,848 | 1,898 | +2.7% |
| Median household income | $87,188 | $96,544 | +10.7% |
| Median home value | $217,000 | $237,400 | +9.4% |
How Lester Prairie 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lester Prairie Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in McLeod County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hutchinson | 14,680 | $72,836 | 12.4% | $229,600 |
| Glencoe | 5,695 | $71,356 | 9.2% | $227,900 |
| Winsted | 2,181 | $67,200 | 11.3% | $201,900 |
| Silver Lake | 815 | $74,432 | 3.3% | $202,600 |
| Stewart | 644 | $65,982 | 6.7% | $125,400 |
| Brownton | 546 | $79,712 | 10.7% | $162,500 |
| Plato | 242 | $91,250 | 0.0% | $239,700 |
| Biscay | 138 | $138,750 | 0.0% | $188,900 |
Cities Similar to Lester Prairie
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nisswa | 1,954 | $100,000 | $481,200 | 50.9% | 5.0% |
| Howard Lake | 1,832 | $92,188 | $273,600 | 23.1% | 10.3% |
| Clearwater | 1,970 | $91,346 | $271,800 | 25.3% | 6.5% |
| Maple Lake | 2,042 | $93,750 | $246,800 | 17.5% | 4.4% |
| Rock Creek | 1,748 | $94,856 | $318,200 | 18.0% | 8.8% |
Population Overview
Lester Prairie is a small community located in Minnesota, within McLeod County. The total population is 1,898. It ranks as the 272nd most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lester Prairie is 32.8 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lester Prairie is $96,544. This is 8% higher than the state median of $89,062. It is also 20% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.0%. This is 68% 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 0.8%. This is 80% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $237,400. Housing costs are 28% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Lester Prairie is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 85.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% higher than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lester Prairie is White (non-Hispanic), making up 73.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 20.1%. The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (20.1% vs 6.4%). The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
13.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 67% 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 90.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lester Prairie, 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 Lester Prairie, Minnesota?
Lester Prairie, Minnesota has a population of 1,898 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lester Prairie, MN?
The median household income in Lester Prairie is $96,544, which is 20% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lester Prairie, MN?
The poverty rate in Lester Prairie is 3.0%. This means approximately 57 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lester Prairie, Minnesota?
Lester Prairie's population is 73.3% White, 1.1% Black, 20.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lester Prairie, MN?
The median home value in Lester Prairie is $237,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Lester Prairie, Minnesota?
13.0% of adults (25+) in Lester Prairie hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.