Waite Park, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waite Park, Minnesota had a total population of 8,399, the 114th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $59,285, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Waite Park Quick Facts
How Waite Park 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 | 8,341 | 8,399 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $56,884 | $59,285 | +4.2% |
| Median home value | $217,000 | $219,400 | +1.1% |
How Waite Park 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Waite Park Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Stearns County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Cloud | 70,629 | $61,374 | 20.2% | $225,000 |
| Sartell | 19,758 | $84,131 | 7.4% | $297,300 |
| St. Joseph | 7,021 | $74,946 | 19.1% | $237,700 |
| Sauk Centre | 4,621 | $62,628 | 19.5% | $225,700 |
| Cold Spring | 4,249 | $72,228 | 9.8% | $280,400 |
| Melrose | 3,671 | $59,677 | 8.5% | $207,200 |
| St. Augusta | 3,625 | $140,227 | 0.0% | $388,400 |
| Albany | 2,821 | $69,167 | 10.8% | $238,500 |
| Paynesville | 2,519 | $75,250 | 5.6% | $178,200 |
| Rockville | 2,452 | $105,329 | 4.3% | $365,800 |
Cities Similar to Waite Park
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 8,332 | $51,720 | $120,600 | 20.9% | 18.0% |
| Waseca | 9,164 | $64,074 | $189,200 | 17.2% | 9.5% |
| Thief River Falls | 8,823 | $71,144 | $175,400 | 21.2% | 12.2% |
| Crookston | 7,344 | $57,315 | $185,600 | 34.7% | 15.6% |
| Baxter | 8,966 | $70,688 | $324,100 | 38.3% | 13.1% |
Population Overview
Waite Park is a small city located in Minnesota, within Stearns County. The total population is 8,399. It ranks as the 114th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waite Park is 38.1 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 38.8 years. 12.0% 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 is $59,285. This is 33% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 27% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.2%. This is 128% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. 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 7.5%. This is 85% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $219,400. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 51.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Waite Park is White (non-Hispanic), making up 51.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 35.5%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (35.5% vs 7.0%). The Asian population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
20.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% 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 82.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waite Park, 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 Waite Park, Minnesota?
Waite Park, Minnesota has a population of 8,399 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waite Park, MN?
The median household income in Waite Park is $59,285, which is 27% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Waite Park, MN?
The poverty rate in Waite Park is 21.2%. This means approximately 1,777 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waite Park, Minnesota?
Waite Park's population is 51.7% White, 35.5% Black, 9.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waite Park, MN?
The median home value in Waite Park is $219,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Waite Park, Minnesota?
20.1% of adults (25+) in Waite Park hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.