Watkins city, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Watkins city, Minnesota has a total population of 797, the 401st largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $50,875, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.1%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 6.7% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.0%.
Watkins city Quick Facts
How Watkins 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+)
Watkins city Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Meeker County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Litchfield city | 6,599 | $57,539 | 9.6% | $183,900 |
| Dassel city | 1,332 | $59,750 | 12.5% | $218,900 |
| Grove City city | 858 | $49,922 | 18.3% | $133,000 |
| Cosmos city | 529 | $50,833 | 16.8% | $95,000 |
| Darwin city | 385 | $61,250 | 9.7% | $142,500 |
| Kingston city | 206 | $100,278 | 1.5% | $218,300 |
| Cedar Mills city | 30 | N/A | 6.7% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Watkins city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Le Roy city | 790 | $51,250 | $106,400 | 23.9% | 13.4% |
| Battle Lake city | 794 | $58,125 | $221,000 | 25.4% | 5.3% |
| Belgrade city | 757 | $48,977 | $143,900 | 16.4% | 14.5% |
| Ponemah CDP | 740 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 22.4% |
| McIntosh city | 836 | $53,750 | $100,700 | 31.9% | 22.6% |
Population Overview
Watkins city is a small community located in Minnesota, within Meeker County. The total population is 797. It ranks as the 401st most populous out of 913 cities and towns in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Watkins city is 40.3 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 10.3% 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 Watkins city is $50,875. This is 42% lower than the state median of $87,556. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 35% lower. The poverty rate stands at 8.1%. This is 12% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.2%. The unemployment rate is 4.4%. This is 13% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $136,800. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $305,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Watkins city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 64.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 72.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Watkins city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 6.2%.
Education
6.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 83% 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 87.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Watkins 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 Watkins city, Minnesota?
Watkins city, Minnesota has a population of 797 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Watkins city, MN?
The median household income in Watkins city is $50,875, which is 35% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Watkins city, MN?
The poverty rate in Watkins city is 8.1%. This means approximately 60 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Watkins city, Minnesota?
Watkins city's population is 92.8% White, 0.0% Black, 1.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Watkins city, MN?
The median home value in Watkins city is $136,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Watkins city, Minnesota?
6.7% of adults (25+) in Watkins city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.