Moose Lake, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Moose Lake, Minnesota had a total population of 2,863, the 215th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $64,286, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 51.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (51.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 9.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 12.0% is notably above the national average.
Moose Lake Quick Facts
How Moose Lake 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 | 3,297 | 2,863 | -13.2% |
| Median household income | $61,576 | $64,286 | +4.4% |
| Median home value | $205,000 | $205,000 | +0.0% |
How Moose Lake 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Moose Lake Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Carlton County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cloquet | 12,537 | $61,367 | 15.9% | $212,700 |
| Esko | 1,813 | $109,063 | 3.5% | $318,800 |
| Scanlon | 1,146 | $68,750 | 7.6% | $228,800 |
| Carlton | 875 | $63,375 | 6.0% | $201,400 |
| Barnum | 503 | $43,438 | 18.5% | $155,200 |
| Mahtowa | 428 | $78,750 | 3.7% | $273,400 |
| Cromwell | 423 | $58,750 | 6.1% | $156,300 |
| Wrenshall | 404 | $98,750 | 7.3% | $243,200 |
| Big Lake | 378 | $92,500 | 12.7% | $256,800 |
| Kettle River | 140 | $65,000 | 12.9% | $154,200 |
Cities Similar to Moose Lake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | 2,821 | $69,167 | $238,500 | 20.5% | 10.8% |
| Cokato | 2,782 | $70,288 | $223,300 | 15.4% | 14.4% |
| Roseau | 2,736 | $60,217 | $164,100 | 21.1% | 17.8% |
| Caledonia | 2,820 | $76,477 | $157,900 | 17.0% | 8.9% |
| Proctor | 3,100 | $67,377 | $224,700 | 25.6% | 5.8% |
Population Overview
Moose Lake is a small community located in Minnesota, within Carlton County. The total population is 2,863. It ranks as the 215th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Moose Lake is 43.8 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. Only 4.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Moose Lake is $64,286. This is 28% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 20% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 51.2%. This is 450% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 12.0%. This is 197% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $205,000. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 62.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Moose Lake is White (non-Hispanic), making up 62.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 20.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (20.3% vs 7.0%). The Asian population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
9.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 76% 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 92.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Moose Lake, 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 Moose Lake, Minnesota?
Moose Lake, Minnesota has a population of 2,863 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Moose Lake, MN?
The median household income in Moose Lake is $64,286, which is 20% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Moose Lake, MN?
The poverty rate in Moose Lake is 51.2%. This means approximately 789 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Moose Lake, Minnesota?
Moose Lake's population is 62.2% White, 20.3% Black, 7.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Moose Lake, MN?
The median home value in Moose Lake is $205,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Moose Lake, Minnesota?
9.3% of adults (25+) in Moose Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.