Thief River Falls city, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Thief River Falls city, Minnesota has a total population of 8,841, the 110th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $65,244, which is 25% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.3%.
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.2%.
Thief River Falls city Quick Facts
How Thief River Falls city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 40 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Thief River Falls city Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Pennington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Hilaire city | 285 | $73,750 | 6.0% | $163,900 |
| Goodridge city | 64 | $39,821 | 17.2% | $50,800 |
Cities Similar to Thief River Falls city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baxter city | 8,804 | $71,272 | $298,400 | 37.7% | 10.8% |
| Waseca city | 9,209 | $61,546 | $185,600 | 16.4% | 9.3% |
| East Grand Forks city | 9,067 | $74,618 | $243,800 | 28.9% | 10.8% |
| Waite Park city | 8,341 | $56,884 | $217,000 | 17.5% | 24.1% |
| Cambridge city | 9,992 | $67,632 | $234,800 | 18.5% | 10.6% |
Population Overview
Thief River Falls city is a small city located in Minnesota, within Pennington County. The total population is 8,841. It ranks as the 110th most populous out of 913 cities and towns in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Thief River Falls city is 38.9 years. This is about average than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Thief River Falls city is $65,244. This is 25% lower than the state median of $87,556. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 17% lower. The poverty rate stands at 11.3%. This is 23% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.2%. The unemployment rate is 2.2%. This is 43% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $169,300. Housing costs are 45% lower than the state median of $305,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Thief River Falls city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 62.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 72.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Thief River Falls city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.5%. The Black or African American population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 6.7%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 5.0%.
Education
19.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% lower than the state rate of 38.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Thief River Falls city, Minnesota is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Minnesota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 913 Census-designated places in Minnesota. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Thief River Falls city, Minnesota?
Thief River Falls city, Minnesota has a population of 8,841 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Thief River Falls city, MN?
The median household income in Thief River Falls city is $65,244, which is 17% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Thief River Falls city, MN?
The poverty rate in Thief River Falls city is 11.3%. This means approximately 972 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Thief River Falls city, Minnesota?
Thief River Falls city's population is 86.6% White, 1.8% Black, 6.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Thief River Falls city, MN?
The median home value in Thief River Falls city is $169,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Thief River Falls city, Minnesota?
19.3% of adults (25+) in Thief River Falls city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.