Motley, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Motley, Minnesota had a total population of 608, the 456th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $47,222, which is 47% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 9.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Motley Quick Facts
How Motley 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 | 593 | 608 | +2.5% |
| Median household income | $43,281 | $47,222 | +9.1% |
| Median home value | $128,300 | $152,800 | +19.1% |
How Motley 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+)
Motley Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Morrison County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Falls | 9,121 | $47,863 | 18.7% | $202,600 |
| Pierz | 1,424 | $52,500 | 10.0% | $170,600 |
| Randall | 695 | $55,859 | 11.9% | $176,700 |
| Upsala | 417 | $52,625 | 7.7% | $147,500 |
| Buckman | 339 | $102,188 | 6.2% | $218,400 |
| Bowlus | 278 | $77,708 | 7.9% | $158,500 |
| Swanville | 274 | $61,250 | 12.5% | $148,800 |
| Flensburg | 199 | $108,750 | 4.0% | $192,400 |
| Sobieski | 192 | $76,250 | 5.7% | $190,600 |
| Elmdale | 172 | $133,750 | 5.2% | $254,200 |
Cities Similar to Motley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brooten | 602 | $48,250 | $144,000 | 17.3% | 18.4% |
| Clarissa | 622 | $47,188 | $102,600 | 7.0% | 14.0% |
| Eagle Bend | 597 | $49,559 | $99,100 | 5.3% | 15.8% |
| Cass Lake | 635 | $48,250 | $109,900 | 21.7% | 22.8% |
| Ivanhoe | 609 | $52,552 | $66,500 | 17.3% | 18.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 608, Motley's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Motley is a small community located in Minnesota, within Morrison County. The total population is 608. It ranks as the 456th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Motley is 56.1 years. This is 45% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. 13.2% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Motley is $47,222. This is 47% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 42% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.7%. This is 26% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 7.1%. This is 74% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $152,800. Housing costs are 54% lower than the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 63.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Motley has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 6.4%.
Education
9.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 75% 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 90.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Motley, 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 Motley, Minnesota?
Motley, Minnesota has a population of 608 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Motley, MN?
The median household income in Motley is $47,222, which is 42% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Motley, MN?
The poverty rate in Motley is 11.7%. This means approximately 69 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Motley, Minnesota?
Motley's population is 94.2% White, 0.0% Black, 2.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Motley, MN?
The median home value in Motley is $152,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Motley, Minnesota?
9.8% of adults (25+) in Motley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.