Willmar city, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Willmar city, Minnesota has a total population of 21,136, the 56th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $63,368, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.2%.
Willmar city Quick Facts
How Willmar 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+)
Willmar city Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Kandiyohi County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spicer city | 1,222 | $76,406 | 8.9% | $278,500 |
| Atwater city | 1,217 | $66,071 | 4.9% | $144,300 |
| New London city | 1,156 | $66,830 | 8.1% | $209,300 |
| Raymond city | 771 | $62,308 | 18.1% | $146,000 |
| Prinsburg city | 615 | $105,323 | 7.2% | $186,800 |
| Pennock city | 510 | $68,846 | 11.8% | $140,500 |
| Kandiyohi city | 459 | $73,571 | 10.7% | $158,300 |
| Lake Lillian city | 148 | $66,071 | 7.8% | $101,000 |
| Blomkest city | 146 | $58,875 | 3.4% | $104,200 |
| Sunburg city | 108 | $40,000 | 18.3% | $72,500 |
Cities Similar to Willmar city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West St. Paul city | 21,076 | $70,738 | $281,800 | 35.0% | 9.1% |
| New Hope city | 21,402 | $73,698 | $314,600 | 36.7% | 11.7% |
| Columbia Heights city | 22,016 | $74,688 | $259,900 | 32.9% | 14.4% |
| Albert Lea city | 18,379 | $62,522 | $150,400 | 17.3% | 11.5% |
| Faribault city | 24,458 | $61,662 | $233,900 | 17.5% | 15.9% |
Population Overview
Willmar city is a small city located in Minnesota, within Kandiyohi County. The total population is 21,136. It ranks as the 56th most populous out of 913 cities and towns in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Willmar city is 35.6 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Willmar city is $63,368. This is 28% lower than the state median of $87,556. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 19% lower. The poverty rate stands at 15.2%. This is 65% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.2%. The unemployment rate is 4.7%. This is 21% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $186,000. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $305,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Willmar city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 57.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% lower than the state average of 72.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Willmar city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 59.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 24.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (10.4% vs 6.7%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (24.9% vs 6.2%). The Asian population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 5.0%.
Education
24.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 37% 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 85.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Willmar 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 Willmar city, Minnesota?
Willmar city, Minnesota has a population of 21,136 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Willmar city, MN?
The median household income in Willmar city is $63,368, which is 19% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Willmar city, MN?
The poverty rate in Willmar city is 15.2%. This means approximately 3,063 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Willmar city, Minnesota?
Willmar city's population is 59.6% White, 10.4% Black, 24.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Willmar city, MN?
The median home value in Willmar city is $186,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Willmar city, Minnesota?
24.5% of adults (25+) in Willmar city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.