Melrose, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Melrose, Minnesota had a total population of 3,671, the 190th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $59,677, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.7%.
Melrose Quick Facts
How Melrose 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 | 3,608 | 3,671 | +1.7% |
| Median household income | $58,107 | $59,677 | +2.7% |
| Median home value | $198,300 | $207,200 | +4.5% |
How Melrose 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+)
Melrose Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Stearns County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Cloud | 70,629 | $61,374 | 20.2% | $225,000 |
| Sartell | 19,758 | $84,131 | 7.4% | $297,300 |
| Waite Park | 8,399 | $59,285 | 21.2% | $219,400 |
| St. Joseph | 7,021 | $74,946 | 19.1% | $237,700 |
| Sauk Centre | 4,621 | $62,628 | 19.5% | $225,700 |
| Cold Spring | 4,249 | $72,228 | 9.8% | $280,400 |
| St. Augusta | 3,625 | $140,227 | 0.0% | $388,400 |
| Albany | 2,821 | $69,167 | 10.8% | $238,500 |
| Paynesville | 2,519 | $75,250 | 5.6% | $178,200 |
| Rockville | 2,452 | $105,329 | 4.3% | $365,800 |
Cities Similar to Melrose
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Prairie | 3,693 | $58,786 | $152,000 | 11.0% | 12.7% |
| Two Harbors | 3,567 | $65,625 | $206,800 | 22.0% | 11.7% |
| Mora | 3,732 | $52,535 | $171,800 | 16.7% | 16.6% |
| Breckenridge | 3,349 | $58,963 | $144,500 | 22.6% | 22.2% |
| Perham | 3,627 | $49,716 | $199,000 | 30.0% | 19.1% |
Population Overview
Melrose is a small community located in Minnesota, within Stearns County. The total population is 3,671. It ranks as the 190th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Melrose is 38.7 years. This is about the same as the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Melrose is $59,677. This is 33% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 26% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.5%. This is 9% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 0.7%. This is 83% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $207,200. Housing costs are 37% lower than the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 73.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Melrose is White (non-Hispanic), making up 73.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 25.2%. The Black or African American population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (25.2% vs 6.4%).
Education
15.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 61% 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 84.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Melrose, 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.
Free data download: Get all Minnesota city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Melrose, Minnesota?
Melrose, Minnesota has a population of 3,671 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Melrose, MN?
The median household income in Melrose is $59,677, which is 26% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Melrose, MN?
The poverty rate in Melrose is 8.5%. This means approximately 305 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Melrose, Minnesota?
Melrose's population is 73.3% White, 0.0% Black, 25.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Melrose, MN?
The median home value in Melrose is $207,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Melrose, Minnesota?
15.3% of adults (25+) in Melrose hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.