Preston, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Preston, Minnesota had a total population of 1,362, the 318th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $63,984, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Preston Quick Facts
How Preston 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 | 1,315 | 1,362 | +3.6% |
| Median household income | $60,438 | $63,984 | +5.9% |
| Median home value | $169,600 | $185,900 | +9.6% |
How Preston 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+)
Preston Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Fillmore County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Valley | 2,307 | $66,339 | 9.3% | $160,800 |
| Rushford | 1,826 | $76,638 | 9.5% | $214,800 |
| Harmony | 1,024 | $68,125 | 8.2% | $170,100 |
| Rushford Village | 809 | $106,719 | 4.8% | $279,500 |
| Lanesboro | 744 | $75,313 | 11.4% | $213,200 |
| Mabel | 730 | $59,392 | 8.5% | $131,400 |
| Fountain | 493 | $78,750 | 6.7% | $185,300 |
| Canton | 398 | $53,056 | 19.4% | $93,200 |
| Wykoff | 377 | $65,446 | 8.8% | $143,400 |
| Ostrander | 313 | $74,063 | 13.6% | $146,900 |
Cities Similar to Preston
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Lake Falls | 1,348 | $64,342 | $139,300 | 17.9% | 5.9% |
| Dassel | 1,358 | $59,946 | $236,800 | 23.0% | 13.3% |
| Winthrop | 1,381 | $69,219 | $169,600 | 19.5% | 6.1% |
| Menahga | 1,343 | $58,036 | $155,500 | 26.1% | 10.1% |
| Hayfield | 1,395 | $69,313 | $186,600 | 18.2% | 15.9% |
Population Overview
Preston is a small community located in Minnesota, within Fillmore County. The total population is 1,362. It ranks as the 318th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Preston is 39.8 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Preston is $63,984. 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 8.9%. This is 5% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 3.4%. This is 17% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $185,900. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Preston is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 73.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Preston has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.3%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.3%) is well below the state average of 6.4%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
27.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% 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 95.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Preston, 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 Preston, Minnesota?
Preston, Minnesota has a population of 1,362 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Preston, MN?
The median household income in Preston is $63,984, which is 21% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Preston, MN?
The poverty rate in Preston is 8.9%. This means approximately 118 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Preston, Minnesota?
Preston's population is 95.5% White, 0.6% Black, 2.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Preston, MN?
The median home value in Preston is $185,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Preston, Minnesota?
27.0% of adults (25+) in Preston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.