Perham, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Perham, Minnesota had a total population of 3,627, the 191st largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $49,716, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 8.9% is notably above the national average.
Perham Quick Facts
How Perham 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 | 3,577 | 3,627 | +1.4% |
| Median household income | $47,088 | $49,716 | +5.6% |
| Median home value | $186,000 | $199,000 | +7.0% |
How Perham 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+)
Perham 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 |
| Pelican Rapids | 2,586 | $63,917 | 16.6% | $174,100 |
| 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 Perham
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mora | 3,732 | $52,535 | $171,800 | 16.7% | 16.6% |
| Eveleth | 3,448 | $50,725 | $97,600 | 19.9% | 14.8% |
| Pine City | 3,468 | $52,056 | $186,900 | 17.9% | 12.4% |
| Benson | 3,441 | $52,821 | $156,000 | 31.4% | 9.8% |
| Long Prairie | 3,693 | $58,786 | $152,000 | 11.0% | 12.7% |
Population Overview
Perham is a small community located in Minnesota, within Otter Tail County. The total population is 3,627. It ranks as the 191st most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Perham is 33.2 years. This is 14% lower than the state median of 38.8 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 is $49,716. This is 44% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.1%. This is 106% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 8.9%. This is 119% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $199,000. Housing costs are 40% lower than the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 52.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Perham is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (12.6% vs 6.4%). The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
30.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 24% 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 92.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Perham, 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 Perham, Minnesota?
Perham, Minnesota has a population of 3,627 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Perham, MN?
The median household income in Perham is $49,716, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Perham, MN?
The poverty rate in Perham is 19.1%. This means approximately 668 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Perham, Minnesota?
Perham's population is 84.6% White, 0.0% Black, 12.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Perham, MN?
The median home value in Perham is $199,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Perham, Minnesota?
30.0% of adults (25+) in Perham hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.