Population 16,056 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Aitkin County
Household size in Aitkin County
| Period | Aitkin County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.06 | 2.52 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.06 | 2.54 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.03 | 2.55 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.20 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.14 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in Aitkin County are small: just 2.20 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Household size has climbed from 2.06 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. Only four of Minnesota's 87 counties have smaller households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Aitkin County
| Period | Aitkin County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 50.4 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 52.2 | 38.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 54.0 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 55.2 | 40.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.8 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
Aitkin County skews older: half of its residents are older than 55.2, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. The median age has climbed from 50.4 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. Aitkin County has the oldest population of any Minnesota county.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Aitkin County
| Period | Aitkin County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.2% | 9.9% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.5% | 10.2% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.9% | 9.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.5% | 9.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −3.8 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 5.5% of households in Aitkin County, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 3.8 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of Minnesota's 87 counties, only two have a lower share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Aitkin County
Renters in Aitkin County
| Period | Aitkin County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.9% | 25.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 17.4% | 27.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 17.8% | 28.4% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 14.7% | 27.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | −4.2 pts | +2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 14.7% of households in Aitkin County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 53.8% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 4.2 points, even as the national share rose. Only three of Minnesota's 87 counties have a lower share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Aitkin County
| Period | Aitkin County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 43.9% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 46.8% | 9.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 48.9% | 8.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 44.6% | 8.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +0.7 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Aitkin County: 44.6% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Only one other Minnesota county has a higher vacancy rate.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Aitkin County
| Period | Aitkin County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1975 | 1973 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1978 | 1974 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1979 | 1975 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1982 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +5 | +6 |
The typical home in Aitkin County was built around 1982, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). Homes here are newer than in Minnesota overall, where the median home dates to 1978. The median year built has moved up from 1975 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Aitkin County
| Period | Aitkin County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $729 | $882 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $728 | $953 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $848 | $1,099 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,018 | $1,404 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$289 | +$522 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Aitkin County costs $1,018 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $289 a month from 2006–10, a 40% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 31.7% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the northwest; the highest are in the northeast.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Aitkin County
Bachelor's degrees in Aitkin County
| Period | Aitkin County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.3% | 32.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.7% | 33.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 17.8% | 36.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 20.3% | 39.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.9 pts | +7.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Aitkin County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 20.3%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree is up 5.9 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Aitkin County
| Period | Aitkin County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 88.0% | 91.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 90.3% | 92.2% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 91.1% | 93.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.6% | 93.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +6.7 pts | +2.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Aitkin County: 94.6% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The picture is much the same across Minnesota. The share with a diploma is up 6.7 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Aitkin County
| Period | Aitkin County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.7% | 6.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.1% | 6.5% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.0% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.8% | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.9 pts | −2.4 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Aitkin County is close to the national rate: 5.8% of the labor force, against 5.4%. The rate is higher than in Minnesota as a whole (4.1%). Unemployment has fallen 3.9 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Aitkin County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aitkin County | 2.20 | 55.2 | 5.5% | 14.7% | 44.6% | 1982 | $1,018 | 20.3% | 94.6% | 5.8% |
| Crow Wing County | 2.28 | 46.3 | 8.3% | 23.0% | 23.3% | 1986 | $1,039 | 29.2% | 94.6% | 5.2% |
| Cass County | 2.44 | 48.2 | 8.9% | 13.8% | 38.9% | 1990 | $976 | 25.7% | 94.0% | 6.9% |
| Carlton County | 2.40 | 41.1 | 10.2% | 20.0% | 10.5% | 1974 | $1,034 | 27.2% | 93.6% | 5.1% |
| Pine County | 2.31 | 47.0 | 9.0% | 18.4% | 23.7% | 1983 | $1,078 | 17.4% | 91.6% | 5.5% |
| St. Louis County | 2.26 | 42.6 | 8.4% | 28.8% | 12.8% | 1962 | $1,197 | 34.2% | 95.0% | 4.9% |
| Douglas County | 2.27 | 44.0 | 8.2% | 28.1% | 14.5% | 1966 | $1,021 | 28.7% | 94.4% | 3.0% |
| Wadena County | 2.31 | 41.6 | 11.3% | 26.4% | 12.7% | 1974 | $790 | 20.1% | 92.6% | 5.5% |
| Todd County | 2.49 | 43.1 | 9.3% | 17.0% | 18.9% | 1973 | $951 | 16.2% | 89.9% | 3.9% |
| Hubbard County | 2.44 | 48.3 | 7.1% | 16.9% | 33.2% | 1986 | $963 | 30.5% | 94.0% | 4.5% |
| Otter Tail County | 2.41 | 45.9 | 6.5% | 20.5% | 24.5% | 1978 | $900 | 27.7% | 94.0% | 4.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Grant County, OR · Swift County, MN · Rosebud County, MT · Grant County, MN · Grant County, SD · Presidio County, TX · Greenlee County, AZ · Lemhi County, ID · Liberty County, FL · Pershing County, NV
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Aitkin County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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