Willmar, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Willmar, Minnesota had a total population of 21,378, the 56th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $62,280, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 30% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Willmar Quick Facts
How Willmar 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 | 21,136 | 21,378 | +1.1% |
| Median household income | $63,368 | $62,280 | -1.7% |
| Median home value | $186,000 | $198,400 | +6.7% |
How Willmar 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+)
Willmar Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Kandiyohi County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spicer | 1,222 | $77,969 | 7.7% | $294,700 |
| Atwater | 1,203 | $71,042 | 5.5% | $159,900 |
| New London | 1,187 | $68,421 | 7.3% | $218,800 |
| Raymond | 692 | $64,563 | 15.6% | $158,100 |
| Prinsburg | 651 | $107,500 | 9.5% | $197,200 |
| Pennock | 549 | $72,031 | 12.2% | $153,900 |
| Kandiyohi | 493 | $73,214 | 5.5% | $161,600 |
| Lake Lillian | 157 | $60,250 | 5.9% | $114,200 |
| Blomkest | 129 | $62,083 | 5.4% | $110,700 |
| Sunburg | 106 | $48,750 | 17.3% | $92,500 |
Cities Similar to Willmar
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West St. Paul | 21,382 | $68,464 | $301,300 | 35.5% | 8.8% |
| New Hope | 21,181 | $77,662 | $337,000 | 36.1% | 10.8% |
| Columbia Heights | 22,155 | $73,691 | $277,600 | 32.5% | 16.3% |
| Faribault | 24,631 | $61,449 | $241,500 | 17.6% | 16.4% |
| Albert Lea | 18,330 | $64,603 | $157,500 | 17.4% | 12.8% |
Population Overview
Willmar is a small city located in Minnesota, within Kandiyohi County. The total population is 21,378. It ranks as the 56th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Willmar is 35.5 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Willmar is $62,280. This is 30% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 23% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.1%. This is 41% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 4.8%. This is 19% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $198,400. Housing costs are 40% lower than the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 59.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Willmar is White (non-Hispanic), making up 58.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 25.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (25.6% vs 6.4%). The Asian population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
25.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% 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 86.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Willmar, 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 Willmar, Minnesota?
Willmar, Minnesota has a population of 21,378 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Willmar, MN?
The median household income in Willmar is $62,280, which is 23% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Willmar, MN?
The poverty rate in Willmar is 13.1%. This means approximately 2,710 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Willmar, Minnesota?
Willmar's population is 58.5% White, 9.8% Black, 25.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Willmar, MN?
The median home value in Willmar is $198,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Willmar, Minnesota?
25.3% of adults (25+) in Willmar hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.