Shafer, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Shafer, Minnesota had a total population of 1,186, the 337th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $99,489, which is 12% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.3%.
Shafer Quick Facts
How Shafer 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 | 1,151 | 1,186 | +3.0% |
| Median household income | $96,042 | $99,489 | +3.6% |
| Median home value | $225,700 | $242,800 | +7.6% |
How Shafer 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+)
Shafer Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Chisago County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Branch | 11,565 | $90,456 | 7.7% | $322,300 |
| Wyoming | 8,087 | $107,565 | 3.7% | $365,700 |
| Chisago City | 5,899 | $102,197 | 3.4% | $413,000 |
| Lindstrom | 4,978 | $98,226 | 6.5% | $358,100 |
| Stacy | 4,384 | $98,464 | 5.2% | $323,800 |
| Rush City | 3,295 | $58,760 | 13.3% | $233,100 |
| Taylors Falls | 1,167 | $67,885 | 5.4% | $275,200 |
| Harris | 776 | $87,375 | 8.7% | $306,000 |
| Center City | 651 | $96,875 | 4.7% | $362,000 |
Cities Similar to Shafer
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake St. Croix Beach | 1,105 | $102,159 | $363,800 | 49.2% | 8.8% |
| Glyndon | 1,098 | $95,313 | $264,800 | 27.5% | 8.0% |
| Elgin | 1,116 | $92,083 | $232,200 | 25.2% | 7.6% |
| Medford | 1,257 | $108,250 | $249,600 | 23.9% | 4.9% |
| Lake Shore | 1,073 | $96,563 | $513,200 | 41.3% | 5.8% |
Population Overview
Shafer is a small community located in Minnesota, within Chisago County. The total population is 1,186. It ranks as the 337th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shafer is 34.0 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Shafer is $99,489. This is 12% higher than the state median of $89,062. It is also 23% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.5%. This is 20% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 2.3%. This is 42% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $242,800. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Shafer is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 84.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% higher than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Shafer is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.8%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
20.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% 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 96.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shafer, 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 Shafer, Minnesota?
Shafer, Minnesota has a population of 1,186 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shafer, MN?
The median household income in Shafer is $99,489, which is 23% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Shafer, MN?
The poverty rate in Shafer is 7.5%. This means approximately 87 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Shafer, Minnesota?
Shafer's population is 82.8% White, 0.4% Black, 7.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shafer, MN?
The median home value in Shafer is $242,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Shafer, Minnesota?
20.6% of adults (25+) in Shafer hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.