Pelican Rapids, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota had a total population of 2,586, the 230th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $63,917, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Pelican Rapids Quick Facts
How Pelican 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 | 2,589 | 2,586 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $65,482 | $63,917 | -2.4% |
| Median home value | $177,700 | $174,100 | -2.0% |
How Pelican 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Pelican Rapids Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Otter Tail County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fergus Falls | 14,181 | $56,162 | 9.1% | $194,000 |
| Perham | 3,627 | $49,716 | 19.1% | $199,000 |
| New York Mills | 1,371 | $56,875 | 15.8% | $166,300 |
| Parkers Prairie | 980 | $57,578 | 10.8% | $168,500 |
| Henning | 860 | $45,500 | 13.8% | $135,700 |
| Battle Lake | 786 | $59,375 | 6.5% | $257,600 |
| Ottertail | 490 | $80,500 | 8.6% | $332,900 |
| Underwood | 461 | $75,000 | 9.5% | $187,500 |
| Rothsay | 454 | $86,250 | 7.3% | $153,400 |
| Deer Creek | 330 | $52,273 | 8.8% | $120,800 |
Cities Similar to Pelican Rapids
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wabasha | 2,587 | $64,514 | $262,300 | 22.4% | 10.2% |
| Osseo | 2,584 | $62,119 | $306,500 | 31.9% | 10.0% |
| Granite Falls | 2,685 | $59,375 | $136,700 | 21.1% | 7.6% |
| Foley | 2,675 | $58,833 | $203,800 | 17.9% | 14.3% |
| Roseau | 2,736 | $60,217 | $164,100 | 21.1% | 17.8% |
Population Overview
Pelican Rapids is a small community located in Minnesota, within Otter Tail County. The total population is 2,586. It ranks as the 230th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Pelican Rapids is 38.6 years. This is about the same as the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Pelican Rapids is $63,917. This is 28% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 21% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.6%. This is 78% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 4.5%. This is 11% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $174,100. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Pelican Rapids is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 63.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Pelican Rapids is White (non-Hispanic), making up 52.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 32.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (32.9% vs 6.4%).
Education
19.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 51% 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 76.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Pelican 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 Pelican Rapids, Minnesota?
Pelican Rapids, Minnesota has a population of 2,586 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Pelican Rapids, MN?
The median household income in Pelican Rapids is $63,917, which is 21% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Pelican Rapids, MN?
The poverty rate in Pelican Rapids is 16.6%. This means approximately 419 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota?
Pelican Rapids's population is 52.0% White, 10.3% Black, 32.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Pelican Rapids, MN?
The median home value in Pelican Rapids is $174,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Pelican Rapids, Minnesota?
19.3% of adults (25+) in Pelican Rapids hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.