Thief River Falls, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Thief River Falls, Minnesota had a total population of 8,823, the 112th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $71,144, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.2%.
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 2.5x.
Thief River Falls Quick Facts
How Thief River Falls 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 | 8,841 | 8,823 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $65,244 | $71,144 | +9.0% |
| Median home value | $169,300 | $175,400 | +3.6% |
How Thief River Falls 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+)
Thief River Falls Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Pennington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Hilaire | 259 | $75,000 | 5.5% | $179,500 |
| Goodridge | 49 | $41,042 | 16.3% | $57,000 |
Cities Similar to Thief River Falls
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baxter | 8,966 | $70,688 | $324,100 | 38.3% | 13.1% |
| East Grand Forks | 9,028 | $77,549 | $255,600 | 26.1% | 12.4% |
| Waseca | 9,164 | $64,074 | $189,200 | 17.2% | 9.5% |
| Mound | 9,107 | $86,675 | $370,800 | 45.3% | 8.8% |
| Waite Park | 8,399 | $59,285 | $219,400 | 20.1% | 21.2% |
Population Overview
Thief River Falls is a small city located in Minnesota, within Pennington County. The total population is 8,823. It ranks as the 112th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Thief River Falls is 37.8 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Thief River Falls is $71,144. This is 20% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 12% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.2%. This is 31% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 2.7%. This is 34% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $175,400. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Thief River Falls is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 63.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Thief River Falls has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.5%. The Black or African American population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Asian population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
21.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% 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 94.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Thief River Falls, 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 Thief River Falls, Minnesota?
Thief River Falls, Minnesota has a population of 8,823 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Thief River Falls, MN?
The median household income in Thief River Falls is $71,144, which is 12% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Thief River Falls, MN?
The poverty rate in Thief River Falls is 12.2%. This means approximately 1,042 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Thief River Falls, Minnesota?
Thief River Falls's population is 85.1% White, 0.9% Black, 6.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Thief River Falls, MN?
The median home value in Thief River Falls is $175,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Thief River Falls, Minnesota?
21.2% of adults (25+) in Thief River Falls hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.