Mountain Lake, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Mountain Lake, Minnesota had a total population of 2,070, the 259th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $66,490, which is 25% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
Mountain Lake Quick Facts
How Mountain 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 | 1,833 | 2,070 | +12.9% |
| Median household income | $59,115 | $66,490 | +12.5% |
| Median home value | $118,900 | $143,100 | +20.4% |
How Mountain 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Mountain Lake Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Cottonwood County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windom | 4,799 | $74,899 | 14.3% | $169,700 |
| Westbrook | 792 | $35,119 | 25.9% | $78,200 |
| Jeffers | 368 | $50,500 | 41.3% | $87,400 |
| Storden | 244 | $83,750 | 18.9% | $81,000 |
| Bingham Lake | 95 | $88,125 | 12.6% | $216,700 |
Cities Similar to Mountain Lake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoyt Lakes | 2,064 | $65,764 | $93,300 | 17.1% | 7.3% |
| Arlington | 2,065 | $68,073 | $206,300 | 16.6% | 8.6% |
| Tracy | 2,057 | $67,788 | $113,400 | 15.1% | 9.9% |
| Pequot Lakes | 2,079 | $63,699 | $289,300 | 30.0% | 6.6% |
| Winsted | 2,181 | $67,200 | $201,900 | 16.9% | 11.3% |
Population Overview
Mountain Lake is a small community located in Minnesota, within Cottonwood County. The total population is 2,070. It ranks as the 259th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Mountain Lake is 31.5 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 38.8 years. With 34.0% of the population under 18, Mountain Lake has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Mountain Lake is $66,490. This is 25% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.3%. This is 54% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 2.5%. This is 38% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $143,100. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Mountain Lake is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Mountain Lake is White (non-Hispanic), making up 67.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 19.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (19.0% vs 6.4%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (8.8% vs 5.1%).
Education
21.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% 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 92.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Mountain 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.
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 Mountain Lake, Minnesota?
Mountain Lake, Minnesota has a population of 2,070 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Mountain Lake, MN?
The median household income in Mountain Lake is $66,490, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Mountain Lake, MN?
The poverty rate in Mountain Lake is 14.3%. This means approximately 288 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Mountain Lake, Minnesota?
Mountain Lake's population is 67.2% White, 0.0% Black, 19.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 8.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Mountain Lake, MN?
The median home value in Mountain Lake is $143,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Mountain Lake, Minnesota?
21.3% of adults (25+) in Mountain Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.