Perham city, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Perham city, Minnesota has a total population of 3,577, the 192nd largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $47,088, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.5%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 15.4% is notably above the national average.
Perham city Quick Facts
How Perham 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+)
Perham 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 |
| Pelican Rapids city | 2,589 | $65,482 | 17.1% | $177,700 |
| 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 Perham city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eveleth city | 3,470 | $47,721 | $91,800 | 19.3% | 19.0% |
| Benson city | 3,449 | $51,124 | $146,100 | 29.9% | 9.7% |
| Annandale city | 3,365 | $50,536 | $195,100 | 24.8% | 14.4% |
| Mora city | 3,708 | $53,704 | $180,300 | 18.6% | 14.2% |
| Ely city | 3,239 | $46,042 | $150,800 | 34.1% | 15.9% |
Population Overview
Perham city is a small community located in Minnesota, within Otter Tail County. The total population is 3,577. It ranks as the 192nd most populous out of 913 cities and towns in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Perham city is 35.0 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. 14.4% 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 Perham city is $47,088. This is 46% lower than the state median of $87,556. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 40% lower. The poverty rate stands at 19.5%. This is 112% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.2%. The unemployment rate is 15.4%. This is 291% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $186,000. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $305,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 54.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% lower than the state average of 72.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Perham city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 14.6%. The Black or African American population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 6.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (14.6% vs 6.2%). The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 5.0%.
Education
28.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% 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 86.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Perham 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 Perham city, Minnesota?
Perham city, Minnesota has a population of 3,577 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Perham city, MN?
The median household income in Perham city is $47,088, which is 40% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Perham city, MN?
The poverty rate in Perham city is 19.5%. This means approximately 678 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Perham city, Minnesota?
Perham city's population is 80.8% White, 2.0% Black, 14.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Perham city, MN?
The median home value in Perham city is $186,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Perham city, Minnesota?
28.7% of adults (25+) in Perham city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.