Waite Park city, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Waite Park city, Minnesota has a total population of 8,341, the 115th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $56,884, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.1%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 9.3% is notably above the national average.
Waite Park city Quick Facts
How Waite Park 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 40 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Waite Park city Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Stearns County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Cloud city | 69,926 | $61,112 | 18.5% | $212,800 |
| Sartell city | 19,620 | $77,465 | 8.1% | $278,000 |
| St. Anthony city (Hennepin and Ramsey Counties) | 9,516 | $97,784 | 3.5% | $365,700 |
| St. Joseph city | 7,024 | $75,217 | 21.6% | $240,300 |
| Sauk Centre city | 4,589 | $65,763 | 15.4% | $196,000 |
| Cold Spring city | 4,201 | $72,022 | 9.9% | $242,000 |
| Melrose city | 3,608 | $58,107 | 8.6% | $198,300 |
| St. Augusta city | 3,576 | $116,384 | 4.2% | $323,400 |
| Albany city | 2,800 | $75,417 | 3.6% | $226,000 |
| Rockville city | 2,521 | $101,447 | 5.0% | $327,400 |
Cities Similar to Waite Park city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia city | 8,362 | $48,321 | $117,500 | 20.1% | 23.2% |
| Thief River Falls city | 8,841 | $65,244 | $169,300 | 19.3% | 11.3% |
| Waseca city | 9,209 | $61,546 | $185,600 | 16.4% | 9.3% |
| Crookston city | 7,388 | $54,003 | $160,700 | 32.2% | 17.0% |
| Baxter city | 8,804 | $71,272 | $298,400 | 37.7% | 10.8% |
Population Overview
Waite Park city is a small city located in Minnesota, within Stearns County. The total population is 8,341. It ranks as the 115th most populous out of 913 cities and towns in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waite Park city is 39.3 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 11.4% 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 Waite Park city is $56,884. This is 35% lower than the state median of $87,556. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 28% lower. The poverty rate stands at 24.1%. This is 162% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.2%. 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 9.3%. This is 135% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $217,000. Housing costs are 29% lower than the state median of $305,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 52.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% lower than the state average of 72.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Waite Park city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 51.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 34.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (34.7% vs 6.7%). The Asian population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 5.0%.
Education
17.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 55% 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 84.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waite Park 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 Waite Park city, Minnesota?
Waite Park city, Minnesota has a population of 8,341 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waite Park city, MN?
The median household income in Waite Park city is $56,884, which is 28% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Waite Park city, MN?
The poverty rate in Waite Park city is 24.1%. This means approximately 2,002 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waite Park city, Minnesota?
Waite Park city's population is 51.1% White, 34.7% Black, 8.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waite Park city, MN?
The median home value in Waite Park city is $217,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Waite Park city, Minnesota?
17.5% of adults (25+) in Waite Park city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.