Medford, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Medford, Minnesota had a total population of 1,257, the 327th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $108,250, which is 22% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.9%.
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 4.9% — among the lowest in Minnesota.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
Medford Quick Facts
How Medford 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 | 1,194 | 1,257 | +5.3% |
| Median household income | $98,375 | $108,250 | +10.0% |
| Median home value | $234,300 | $249,600 | +6.5% |
How Medford 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+)
Medford Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Steele County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owatonna | 26,498 | $80,750 | 9.2% | $245,200 |
| Blooming Prairie | 1,843 | $63,656 | 7.5% | $161,300 |
| Ellendale | 754 | $89,375 | 2.7% | $155,200 |
Cities Similar to Medford
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shafer | 1,186 | $99,489 | $242,800 | 20.6% | 7.5% |
| Morristown | 1,265 | $83,059 | $184,800 | 11.7% | 15.1% |
| Madison Lake | 1,322 | $87,727 | $303,100 | 40.2% | 6.8% |
| Lake St. Croix Beach | 1,105 | $102,159 | $363,800 | 49.2% | 8.8% |
| Mantorville | 1,047 | $110,000 | $305,500 | 37.3% | 2.7% |
Population Overview
Medford is a small community located in Minnesota, within Steele County. The total population is 1,257. It ranks as the 327th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Medford is 39.3 years. This is 1% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. With 28.4% of the population under 18, Medford has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Medford is $108,250. This is 22% higher than the state median of $89,062. It is also 34% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.9%. This is 47% 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 3.3%. This is 18% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $249,600. Housing costs are 24% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Medford is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 80.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Medford has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.2%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Asian population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
23.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% 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 89.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Medford, 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 Medford, Minnesota?
Medford, Minnesota has a population of 1,257 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Medford, MN?
The median household income in Medford is $108,250, which is 34% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Medford, MN?
The poverty rate in Medford is 4.9%. This means approximately 61 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Medford, Minnesota?
Medford's population is 88.8% White, 0.2% Black, 7.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Medford, MN?
The median home value in Medford is $249,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Medford, Minnesota?
23.9% of adults (25+) in Medford hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.