Paynesville city, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Paynesville city, Minnesota has a total population of 2,476, the 236th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $72,105, which is 18% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.5%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.3%.
Paynesville city Quick Facts
How Paynesville city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 40 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Paynesville city Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Stearns County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Cloud city | 69,926 | $61,112 | 18.5% | $212,800 |
| Sartell city | 19,620 | $77,465 | 8.1% | $278,000 |
| St. Anthony city (Hennepin and Ramsey Counties) | 9,516 | $97,784 | 3.5% | $365,700 |
| Waite Park city | 8,341 | $56,884 | 24.1% | $217,000 |
| St. Joseph city | 7,024 | $75,217 | 21.6% | $240,300 |
| Sauk Centre city | 4,589 | $65,763 | 15.4% | $196,000 |
| Cold Spring city | 4,201 | $72,022 | 9.9% | $242,000 |
| Melrose city | 3,608 | $58,107 | 8.6% | $198,300 |
| St. Augusta city | 3,576 | $116,384 | 4.2% | $323,400 |
| Albany city | 2,800 | $75,417 | 3.6% | $226,000 |
Cities Similar to Paynesville city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Janesville city | 2,449 | $72,120 | $194,400 | 23.8% | 4.2% |
| Le Center city | 2,514 | $66,864 | $189,800 | 13.5% | 6.8% |
| Lake Crystal city | 2,530 | $77,979 | $193,800 | 22.9% | 11.0% |
| Lexington city | 2,616 | $72,955 | $282,000 | 21.8% | 9.5% |
| Lauderdale city | 2,386 | $76,558 | $273,600 | 69.7% | 5.6% |
Population Overview
Paynesville city is a small community located in Minnesota, within Stearns County. The total population is 2,476. It ranks as the 236th most populous out of 913 cities and towns in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Paynesville city is 40.6 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 15.5% 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 Paynesville city is $72,105. This is 18% lower than the state median of $87,556. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 8% lower. The poverty rate stands at 5.5%. This is 40% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.2%. The unemployment rate is 2.3%. This is 41% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $168,800. Housing costs are 45% lower than the state median of $305,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Paynesville city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 72.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Paynesville city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.5%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 6.7%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 5.0%.
Education
27.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 28% lower than the state rate of 38.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Paynesville city, Minnesota is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Minnesota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 913 Census-designated places in Minnesota. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Paynesville city, Minnesota?
Paynesville city, Minnesota has a population of 2,476 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Paynesville city, MN?
The median household income in Paynesville city is $72,105, which is 8% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Paynesville city, MN?
The poverty rate in Paynesville city is 5.5%. This means approximately 132 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Paynesville city, Minnesota?
Paynesville city's population is 88.1% White, 0.4% Black, 5.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Paynesville city, MN?
The median home value in Paynesville city is $168,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Paynesville city, Minnesota?
27.9% of adults (25+) in Paynesville city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.