Wood Lake, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wood Lake, Minnesota had a total population of 368, the 568th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $65,000, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.1%.
Wood Lake Quick Facts
How Wood Lake 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 | 398 | 368 | -7.5% |
| Median household income | $68,958 | $65,000 | -5.7% |
| Median home value | $85,000 | $91,700 | +7.9% |
How Wood Lake 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+)
Wood Lake Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Yellow Medicine County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canby | 1,556 | $58,365 | 14.9% | $128,300 |
| Clarkfield | 913 | $63,359 | 10.7% | $95,600 |
| Hanley Falls | 248 | $61,563 | 11.3% | $75,300 |
| Echo | 197 | $70,833 | 14.2% | $103,600 |
| Porter | 191 | $56,667 | 10.5% | $108,300 |
| St. Leo | 153 | $62,083 | 18.3% | N/A |
| Hazel Run | 58 | $90,469 | 0.0% | $112,500 |
Cities Similar to Wood Lake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tower | 367 | $65,893 | $109,600 | 12.6% | 9.8% |
| Wykoff | 377 | $65,446 | $143,400 | 19.2% | 8.8% |
| Ponemah | 391 | N/A | $123,600 | 0.0% | 21.0% |
| Oklee | 383 | $62,188 | $122,000 | 21.9% | 15.2% |
| Darwin | 358 | $70,000 | $175,000 | 16.2% | 10.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 368, Wood Lake'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
Wood Lake is a small community located in Minnesota, within Yellow Medicine County. The total population is 368. It ranks as the 568th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wood Lake is 47.7 years. This is 23% higher than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wood Lake is $65,000. This is 27% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 19% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.7%. This is 6% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 1.1%. This is 72% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $91,700. Housing costs are 72% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Wood Lake is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 84.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Wood Lake has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.0%. The Black or African American population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.0%) is well below the state average of 6.4%.
Education
15.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 60% 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 94.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wood Lake, 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 Wood Lake, Minnesota?
Wood Lake, Minnesota has a population of 368 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wood Lake, MN?
The median household income in Wood Lake is $65,000, which is 19% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wood Lake, MN?
The poverty rate in Wood Lake is 8.7%. This means approximately 32 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wood Lake, Minnesota?
Wood Lake's population is 87.2% White, 1.6% Black, 3.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wood Lake, MN?
The median home value in Wood Lake is $91,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is Wood Lake, Minnesota?
15.8% of adults (25+) in Wood Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.