Willow River, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Willow River, Minnesota had a total population of 342, the 584th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $58,125, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Willow River Quick Facts
How Willow River 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 | 351 | 342 | -2.6% |
| Median household income | $52,188 | $58,125 | +11.4% |
| Median home value | $197,700 | $206,300 | +4.4% |
How Willow River 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Willow River Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Pine County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pine City | 3,468 | $52,056 | 12.4% | $186,900 |
| Sandstone | 2,482 | $51,875 | 25.2% | $166,300 |
| Rock Creek | 1,748 | $94,856 | 8.8% | $318,200 |
| Hinckley | 1,596 | $50,714 | 19.7% | $182,800 |
| Sturgeon Lake | 568 | $79,722 | 4.4% | $210,200 |
| Askov | 304 | $31,250 | 24.3% | $152,700 |
| Rutledge | 275 | $65,000 | 14.4% | $102,700 |
| Finlayson | 267 | $68,500 | 18.4% | $219,400 |
| Brook Park | 143 | N/A | 16.8% | $104,700 |
| Kerrick | 64 | $65,000 | 42.2% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Willow River
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russell | 346 | $57,083 | $107,600 | 13.7% | 5.6% |
| Barrett | 349 | $60,000 | $131,900 | 14.4% | 7.7% |
| Comfrey | 338 | $61,875 | $96,300 | 17.0% | 13.3% |
| Cyrus | 355 | $57,083 | $105,200 | 7.4% | 12.2% |
| Hollandale | 340 | $64,375 | $151,500 | 16.0% | 13.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 342, Willow River'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
Willow River is a small community located in Minnesota, within Pine County. The total population is 342. It ranks as the 584th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Willow River is 37.7 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Willow River is $58,125. This is 35% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 28% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.8%. This is 49% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 7.1%. This is 76% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $206,300. Housing costs are 37% lower than the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 63.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Willow River has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 98.3% of all residents.
Education
11.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 70% 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 97.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Willow River, 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 Willow River, Minnesota?
Willow River, Minnesota has a population of 342 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Willow River, MN?
The median household income in Willow River is $58,125, which is 28% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Willow River, MN?
The poverty rate in Willow River is 13.8%. This means approximately 47 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Willow River, Minnesota?
Willow River's population is 98.3% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Willow River, MN?
The median home value in Willow River is $206,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Willow River, Minnesota?
11.9% of adults (25+) in Willow River hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.