New York Mills, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

New York Mills is a small community located in Minnesota, within Otter Tail County. The total population is 1,371. It ranks as the 317th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.

Age Demographics

The median age in New York Mills is 31.7 years. This is 18% lower than the state median of 38.8 years. With 28.0% of the population under 18, New York Mills has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community. 10.2% 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 New York Mills is $56,875. This is 36% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.8%. This is 70% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 3.1%. This is 23% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $166,300. Housing costs are 49% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, New York Mills is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 58.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% lower than the state average of 72.2%.

Race & Ethnicity

New York Mills has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.2%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 6.4%.

Education

16.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% 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 89.9%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for New York Mills, 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.