Red Lake, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Red Lake, Minnesota had a total population of 1,481, the 305th largest community in Minnesota, with a median household income of $46,328, which is 48% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 41.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 48% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (41.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Red Lake Quick Facts
How Red Lake 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 | 1,506 | 1,481 | -1.7% |
| Median household income | $55,092 | $46,328 | -15.9% |
| Median home value | $136,000 | $116,500 | -14.3% |
How Red Lake 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+)
Red Lake Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Beltrami County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bemidji | 15,569 | $55,405 | 21.3% | $198,300 |
| Redby | 1,495 | $57,059 | 22.4% | $108,000 |
| Little Rock | 944 | N/A | 35.5% | $41,900 |
| Blackduck | 699 | $36,447 | 25.9% | $96,900 |
| Ponemah | 391 | N/A | 21.0% | $123,600 |
| Kelliher | 341 | $102,529 | 24.6% | $179,600 |
| Wilton | 327 | $70,625 | 13.9% | $162,500 |
| Tenstrike | 207 | $58,750 | 9.2% | $281,800 |
| Solway | 117 | $96,250 | 7.7% | $215,000 |
| Turtle River | 58 | $89,375 | 0.0% | $205,000 |
Cities Similar to Red Lake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. John's University | 1,580 | N/A | N/A | 78.6% | 28.4% |
| Wheaton | 1,389 | $45,781 | $87,500 | 18.0% | 15.4% |
| Appleton | 1,393 | $43,958 | $77,000 | 15.0% | 28.3% |
| Pierz | 1,424 | $52,500 | $170,600 | 18.1% | 10.0% |
| Redby | 1,495 | $57,059 | $108,000 | 4.9% | 22.4% |
Population Overview
Red Lake is a small community located in Minnesota, within Beltrami County. The total population is 1,481. It ranks as the 305th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Red Lake is 31.6 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 38.8 years. With 34.5% of the population under 18, Red Lake has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Red Lake is $46,328. This is 48% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 41.4%. This is 345% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 5.9%. This is 46% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $116,500. Housing costs are 65% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Red Lake is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 66.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Red Lake is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 0.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (5.3%) is well below the state average of 75.9%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 6.4%.
Education
11.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 70% 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 80.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Red Lake, 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 Red Lake, Minnesota?
Red Lake, Minnesota has a population of 1,481 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Red Lake, MN?
The median household income in Red Lake is $46,328, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Red Lake, MN?
The poverty rate in Red Lake is 41.4%. This means approximately 565 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Red Lake, Minnesota?
Red Lake's population is 5.3% White, 0.4% Black, 0.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Red Lake, MN?
The median home value in Red Lake is $116,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Red Lake, Minnesota?
11.8% of adults (25+) in Red Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.