Park Rapids, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Park Rapids, Minnesota had a total population of 4,270, the 170th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $44,747, which is 50% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 50% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 8.0% is notably above the national average.
Park Rapids Quick Facts
How Park Rapids 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 | 4,226 | 4,270 | +1.0% |
| Median household income | $45,800 | $44,747 | -2.3% |
| Median home value | $218,500 | $227,500 | +4.1% |
How Park Rapids 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+)
Park Rapids Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Hubbard County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nevis | 496 | $60,268 | 7.9% | $182,000 |
| Akeley | 289 | $44,000 | 14.2% | $110,500 |
| Lake George | 204 | $84,167 | 6.9% | $245,500 |
| Laporte | 71 | $44,375 | 35.2% | $159,400 |
| Hubbard | 53 | N/A | 17.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Park Rapids
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wadena | 4,419 | $56,080 | $160,800 | 17.6% | 17.7% |
| Chisholm | 4,712 | $50,891 | $109,200 | 16.6% | 14.0% |
| Mora | 3,732 | $52,535 | $171,800 | 16.7% | 16.6% |
| Perham | 3,627 | $49,716 | $199,000 | 30.0% | 19.1% |
| Pipestone | 4,129 | $67,568 | $114,100 | 25.4% | 13.1% |
Population Overview
Park Rapids is a small community located in Minnesota, within Hubbard County. The total population is 4,270. It ranks as the 170th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Park Rapids is 45.8 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. 13.4% 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 Park Rapids is $44,747. This is 50% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 45% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.2%. This is 128% 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 8.0%. This is 98% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $227,500. Housing costs are 31% lower than the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x. 54.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Park Rapids has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.8%. The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 6.4%.
Education
22.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% 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 89.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Park Rapids, 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 Park Rapids, Minnesota?
Park Rapids, Minnesota has a population of 4,270 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Park Rapids, MN?
The median household income in Park Rapids is $44,747, which is 45% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Park Rapids, MN?
The poverty rate in Park Rapids is 21.2%. This means approximately 869 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Park Rapids, Minnesota?
Park Rapids's population is 88.8% White, 0.7% Black, 1.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Park Rapids, MN?
The median home value in Park Rapids is $227,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x.
How educated is Park Rapids, Minnesota?
22.0% of adults (25+) in Park Rapids hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.