White Earth, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, White Earth, Minnesota had a total population of 506, the 495th largest community in Minnesota, with a median household income of $17,450, which is 80% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 63.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 80% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (63.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 2.5% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 13.8% is notably above the national average.
White Earth Quick Facts
How White Earth 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 | 543 | 506 | -6.8% |
| Median household income | $18,929 | $17,450 | -7.8% |
How White Earth 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
White Earth Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Becker County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Lakes | 10,025 | $62,958 | 16.6% | $265,800 |
| Frazee | 1,647 | $47,016 | 22.3% | $172,000 |
| Lake Park | 600 | $64,028 | 4.6% | $196,500 |
| Audubon | 388 | $67,500 | 15.5% | $207,000 |
| Osage | 290 | $48,333 | 29.7% | $330,300 |
| Ogema | 257 | $55,250 | 38.1% | $73,000 |
| Pine Point | 241 | $40,000 | 43.3% | $85,700 |
| Callaway | 224 | $53,125 | 13.8% | $87,500 |
| Elbow Lake | 76 | $29,583 | 43.4% | N/A |
| Wolf Lake | 73 | $65,833 | 14.1% | $137,500 |
Cities Similar to White Earth
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crown College | 422 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Ponemah | 391 | N/A | $123,600 | 0.0% | 21.0% |
| Hill City | 503 | $37,396 | $162,000 | 15.9% | 27.0% |
| Floodwood | 497 | $36,563 | $92,100 | 6.4% | 24.1% |
| Naytahwaush | 478 | $37,917 | $88,800 | 7.3% | 35.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 506, White Earth's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
White Earth is a small community located in Minnesota, within Becker County. The total population is 506. It ranks as the 495th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in White Earth is 29.7 years. This is 23% lower than the state median of 38.8 years. With 31.8% of the population under 18, White Earth has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in White Earth is $17,450. This is 80% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 78% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 63.6%. This is 583% 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 13.8%. This is 239% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. 19.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 74% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
White Earth is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 2.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 75.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (12.3% vs 6.4%).
Education
2.5% 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 94% 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 82.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for White Earth, 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 White Earth, Minnesota?
White Earth, Minnesota has a population of 506 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in White Earth, MN?
The median household income in White Earth is $17,450, which is 78% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in White Earth, MN?
The poverty rate in White Earth is 63.6%. This means approximately 321 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of White Earth, Minnesota?
White Earth's population is 2.0% White, 0.0% Black, 12.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in White Earth, MN?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for White Earth — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is White Earth, Minnesota?
2.5% of adults (25+) in White Earth hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.