Pelican Rapids city, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Pelican Rapids city, Minnesota has a total population of 2,589, the 229th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $65,482, which is 25% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.1%.
Pelican Rapids city Quick Facts
How Pelican Rapids 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 40 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Pelican Rapids city Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Otter Tail County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fergus Falls city | 14,138 | $50,865 | 10.7% | $173,300 |
| Perham city | 3,577 | $47,088 | 19.5% | $186,000 |
| New York Mills city | 1,319 | $51,696 | 11.4% | $144,900 |
| Parkers Prairie city | 1,089 | $58,750 | 13.8% | $152,500 |
| Henning city | 836 | $44,000 | 11.7% | $127,400 |
| Battle Lake city | 794 | $58,125 | 5.3% | $221,000 |
| Ottertail city | 490 | $83,750 | 7.1% | $262,500 |
| Underwood city | 437 | $73,750 | 14.0% | $168,800 |
| Deer Creek city | 273 | $55,000 | 3.7% | $123,100 |
| Dalton city | 266 | $66,094 | 3.8% | $104,500 |
Cities Similar to Pelican Rapids city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osseo city | 2,601 | $66,875 | $275,000 | 28.3% | 8.5% |
| Wabasha city | 2,569 | $62,016 | $212,800 | 24.4% | 9.8% |
| Le Center city | 2,514 | $66,864 | $189,800 | 13.5% | 6.8% |
| Granite Falls city | 2,612 | $59,402 | $139,700 | 23.4% | 9.3% |
| Lexington city | 2,616 | $72,955 | $282,000 | 21.8% | 9.5% |
Population Overview
Pelican Rapids city is a small community located in Minnesota, within Otter Tail County. The total population is 2,589. It ranks as the 229th most populous out of 913 cities and towns in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Pelican Rapids city is 37.7 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Pelican Rapids city is $65,482. This is 25% lower than the state median of $87,556. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 17% lower. The poverty rate stands at 17.1%. This is 86% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.2%. The unemployment rate is 3.3%. This is 16% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $177,700. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $305,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Pelican Rapids city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 61.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% lower than the state average of 72.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Pelican Rapids city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 60.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 25.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (25.3% vs 6.2%). The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 5.0%.
Education
18.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 52% 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 76.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Pelican Rapids 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 Pelican Rapids city, Minnesota?
Pelican Rapids city, Minnesota has a population of 2,589 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Pelican Rapids city, MN?
The median household income in Pelican Rapids city is $65,482, which is 17% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Pelican Rapids city, MN?
The poverty rate in Pelican Rapids city is 17.1%. This means approximately 433 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Pelican Rapids city, Minnesota?
Pelican Rapids city's population is 60.4% White, 8.5% Black, 25.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Pelican Rapids city, MN?
The median home value in Pelican Rapids city is $177,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Pelican Rapids city, Minnesota?
18.7% of adults (25+) in Pelican Rapids city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.