Living in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Detroit Lakes · Census data 2020–2024
Detroit Lakes has 10,025 residents with a median age of 41.6. The median household income is $62,958 (29% lower than the Minnesota median), the median home value is $265,800, the median rent is $954/month.
Detroit Lakes at a glance
- Population
- 10,025
- Median age
- 41.6State: 38.8
- Median household income
- $62,958State: $89,062
- Median home value
- $265,800State: $329,300
- Median rent
- $954/moState: $1,280
- Homeowners
- 56.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 32.8%
- Average commute
- 14 min
Is Detroit Lakes a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 19% lower than the state median; an average commute of 14 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 29% lower than the Minnesota median; unemployment of 6.8%; a poverty rate of 16.6%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Detroit Lakes
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Detroit Lakes the median home value is $265,800, 20% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $954 per month, which is 29.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,636 a month in housing costs.
Detroit Lakes median household income
The median household income in Detroit Lakes is $62,958 and the income per person is $46,289. 16.6% of residents live below the poverty line (Minnesota: 9.3%).
Housing in Detroit Lakes: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 5,137
- Owner-occupied
- 56.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 43.9%
- Vacant
- 13.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1979
- Average household size
- 2.16
Detroit Lakes demographics
- Population
- 10,025
- Median age
- 41.6
- Under 18
- 21.8%
- 65 and older
- 25.3%
- Households
- 4,455
- Foreign-born
- 1.1%
- Veterans
- 8.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Detroit Lakes ›
Education in Detroit Lakes
32.8% of adults 25 and older in Detroit Lakes have a bachelor's degree or higher (Minnesota: 39.4%), and 11.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Detroit Lakes
- Unemployment rate
- 6.8%State: 4.1%
- Average commute
- 14 minState: 23 min
- Work from home
- 6.6%
- Drive alone
- 77.9%
- Public transit
- 0.9%
- Walk to work
- 4%
- Homes with broadband
- 91.8%
Detroit Lakes vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Lakes | 10,025 | $62,958 | $265,800 | $954 |
| Audubon | 388 | $67,500 | $207,000 | $1,054 |
| Frazee | 1,647 | $47,016 | $172,000 | $902 |
| Vergas | 258 | $72,917 | $175,000 | $750 |
| Callaway | 224 | $53,125 | $87,500 | $913 |
| Lake Park | 600 | $64,028 | $196,500 | $692 |
| Dent | 230 | $52,500 | $106,300 | $842 |
| Perham | 3,627 | $49,716 | $199,000 | $855 |
| Pelican Rapids | 2,586 | $63,917 | $174,100 | — |
More for people moving to Detroit Lakes
Detroit Lakes ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Detroit Lakes: FAQ
What is the median household income in Detroit Lakes, MN?
The median household income in Detroit Lakes is $62,958, 29% lower than the Minnesota median of $89,062 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Detroit Lakes?
The median home value in Detroit Lakes is $265,800, compared with $329,300 in Minnesota.
How much is rent in Detroit Lakes?
The median gross rent in Detroit Lakes is $954 per month, about 29.2% of household income.
Is Detroit Lakes, MN a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 19% lower than the state median; an average commute of 14 minutes. Minuses: median household income 29% lower than the Minnesota median; unemployment of 6.8%; a poverty rate of 16.6%.
What is the median age in Detroit Lakes?
The median age in Detroit Lakes is 41.6 years (Minnesota: 38.8).
How long is the commute in Detroit Lakes?
The average commute to work in Detroit Lakes is 14 minutes; 6.6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Detroit Lakes?
The unemployment rate in Detroit Lakes is 6.8% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Detroit Lakes?
32.8% of adults in Detroit Lakes have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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