Staples, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Staples, Minnesota had a total population of 2,269, the 248th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $52,071, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x.
Staples Quick Facts
How Staples 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 | 2,359 | 2,269 | -3.8% |
| Median household income | $51,506 | $52,071 | +1.1% |
| Median home value | $119,300 | $130,000 | +9.0% |
How Staples 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+)
Staples Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Todd County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Prairie | 3,693 | $58,786 | 12.7% | $152,000 |
| Browerville | 902 | $48,214 | 15.5% | $130,900 |
| Clarissa | 622 | $47,188 | 14.0% | $102,600 |
| Eagle Bend | 597 | $49,559 | 15.8% | $99,100 |
| Bertha | 474 | $57,708 | 13.0% | $94,400 |
| Grey Eagle | 295 | $51,250 | 15.9% | $184,800 |
| Hewitt | 283 | $63,750 | 8.2% | $97,300 |
| Burtrum | 94 | $54,583 | 3.3% | $113,800 |
| West Union | 69 | $58,750 | 18.8% | $120,800 |
Cities Similar to Staples
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aitkin | 2,323 | $47,978 | $181,300 | 21.3% | 22.1% |
| Wells | 2,296 | $60,156 | $103,900 | 20.9% | 8.7% |
| Sandstone | 2,482 | $51,875 | $166,300 | 12.3% | 25.2% |
| Olivia | 2,205 | $63,098 | $159,200 | 21.1% | 13.4% |
| Springfield | 2,125 | $59,434 | $122,300 | 26.6% | 11.8% |
Population Overview
Staples is a small community located in Minnesota, within Todd County. The total population is 2,269. It ranks as the 248th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Staples is 42.1 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. 17.2% 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 Staples is $52,071. This is 42% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.9%. This is 71% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 6.6%. This is 64% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $130,000. Housing costs are 61% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Staples is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 62.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Staples has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.4%.
Education
22.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% 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 91.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Staples, 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 Staples, Minnesota?
Staples, Minnesota has a population of 2,269 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Staples, MN?
The median household income in Staples is $52,071, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Staples, MN?
The poverty rate in Staples is 15.9%. This means approximately 343 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Staples, Minnesota?
Staples's population is 92.5% White, 0.0% Black, 5.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Staples, MN?
The median home value in Staples is $130,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Staples, Minnesota?
22.2% of adults (25+) in Staples hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.