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Melrose city, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026

As of 2026, Melrose city, Minnesota has a total population of 3,608, the 190th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $58,107, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.6%.

Key Takeaways

Melrose city Quick Facts

Population 3,608
Median Household Income $58,107
Median Home Value $198,300
Poverty Rate 8.6%
Unemployment Rate 3.3%
Median Age 43.4 years
Homeownership Rate 71.8%
Affordability Ratio 3.4x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 17.8%
High School Graduation Rate 91.8%
Diversity Index 33/100
Population 3,608 190th of 913
Median Income $58,107 below average
Poverty Rate 8.6% 31% lower national
Median Home Value $198,300 above average

How Melrose city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

3.3% Unemployment Rate State: 3.9% | National: 5.2%
64.0% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 71.8%
Renter 28.2%
Affordability Index Affordable
3.4x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

33out of 100
Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 40 | National average: 60

Education

Melrose city Rankings in Minnesota

#190 Population of 913
#609 Median Income of 913
#517 Education of 913
#335 Home Value of 913

Other Cities in Stearns County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
St. Cloud city 69,926 $61,112 18.5% $212,800
Sartell city 19,620 $77,465 8.1% $278,000
St. Anthony city (Hennepin and Ramsey Counties) 9,516 $97,784 3.5% $365,700
Waite Park city 8,341 $56,884 24.1% $217,000
St. Joseph city 7,024 $75,217 21.6% $240,300
Sauk Centre city 4,589 $65,763 15.4% $196,000
Cold Spring city 4,201 $72,022 9.9% $242,000
St. Augusta city 3,576 $116,384 4.2% $323,400
Albany city 2,800 $75,417 3.6% $226,000
Rockville city 2,521 $101,447 5.0% $327,400

Cities Similar to Melrose city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Long Prairie city3,683$57,139$130,10010.4%12.4%
Two Harbors city3,598$62,885$187,10021.5%12.0%
Mora city3,708$53,704$180,30018.6%14.2%
Breckenridge city3,369$57,344$142,00020.4%22.8%
Jackson city3,298$57,328$118,90027.8%14.0%

Population Overview

Melrose city is a small community located in Minnesota, within Stearns County. The total population is 3,608. It ranks as the 190th most populous out of 913 cities and towns in Minnesota.

Age Demographics

The median age in Melrose city is 43.4 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Melrose city is $58,107. This is 34% lower than the state median of $87,556. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 26% lower. The poverty rate stands at 8.6%. This is 7% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.2%. The unemployment rate is 3.3%. This is 16% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $198,300. Housing costs are 35% lower than the state median of $305,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 71.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Melrose city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 18.4%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 6.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (18.4% vs 6.2%).

Education

17.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 54% lower than the state rate of 38.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.8%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Melrose city, Minnesota is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Minnesota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 913 Census-designated places in Minnesota. For official data, visit data.census.gov.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Melrose city, Minnesota?

Melrose city, Minnesota has a population of 3,608 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Melrose city, MN?

The median household income in Melrose city is $58,107, which is 26% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Melrose city, MN?

The poverty rate in Melrose city is 8.6%. This means approximately 303 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Melrose city, Minnesota?

Melrose city's population is 79.7% White, 0.5% Black, 18.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.

What is the median home value in Melrose city, MN?

The median home value in Melrose city is $198,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.

How educated is Melrose city, Minnesota?

17.8% of adults (25+) in Melrose city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.