Population 15,399 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
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Population and households in Detroit Lakes
Household size in Detroit Lakes
| Period | Detroit Lakes | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.22 | 2.52 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.27 | 2.54 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.32 | 2.55 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.33 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.11 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
Detroit Lakes is a place of small households, averaging 2.33 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has climbed from 2.22 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell.
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 Detroit Lakes
| Period | Detroit Lakes | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 43.0 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 42.4 | 38.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 42.8 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 44.4 | 40.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.4 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 44.4, Detroit Lakes is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 43.0, in line with the national trend. The youngest areas are in the north, the oldest in the east.
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 Detroit Lakes
| Period | Detroit Lakes | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.7% | 9.9% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.9% | 10.2% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.0% | 9.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.1% | 9.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.6 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are less common in Detroit Lakes than nationally: 9.1%, against 11.6%. The picture is much the same across Minnesota. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 2.6 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Detroit Lakes
Renters in Detroit Lakes
| Period | Detroit Lakes | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.1% | 25.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 28.3% | 27.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 29.9% | 28.4% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 32.5% | 27.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | +4.3 pts | +2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting in Detroit Lakes is about as common as it is nationally: 32.5% of households rent, against 34.8%. Renters make up a bigger share here than in Minnesota as a whole (27.8%). Among homeowners, 36.4% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 4.3 points, as it has nationally.
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 Detroit Lakes
| Period | Detroit Lakes | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.1% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 19.0% | 9.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 20.6% | 8.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.3% | 8.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.8 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 18.3% of the housing in Detroit Lakes, 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. Of the 188 Minnesota cities with 5,000+ people, only eight have 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 Detroit Lakes
| Period | Detroit Lakes | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1974 | 1973 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1977 | 1975 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1978 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +5 | +6 |
The typical home in Detroit Lakes was built around 1978, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). The median year built has moved up from 1974 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the southeast, while the west has the oldest housing.
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 Detroit Lakes
| Period | Detroit Lakes | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $599 | $882 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $770 | $953 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $856 | $1,099 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,073 | $1,404 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$474 | +$522 | +$606 |
The median renter in Detroit Lakes pays $1,073 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $474 a month from 2006–10, a 79% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 34.7% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the east; the highest are in the southwest.
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 Detroit Lakes
Bachelor's degrees in Detroit Lakes
| Period | Detroit Lakes | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.8% | 32.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 23.5% | 33.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 29.1% | 36.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 31.6% | 39.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +7.8 pts | +7.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
Just over three in ten adults 25 and older in Detroit Lakes (31.6%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, a little below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 7.8 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Detroit Lakes
| Period | Detroit Lakes | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 91.7% | 91.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 91.0% | 92.2% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 94.1% | 93.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 93.3% | 93.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.6 pts | +2.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Detroit Lakes is above the national rate: 93.3% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. Minnesota as a whole looks much the same. The share with a diploma has risen 1.6 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Detroit Lakes
| Period | Detroit Lakes | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.4% | 6.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 3.6% | 6.5% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.4% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.2% | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | +0.8 pts | −2.4 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Detroit Lakes is close to the national rate: 5.2% of the labor force, against 5.4%. The rate is higher than in Minnesota as a whole (4.1%). Unemployment has edged up 0.8 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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).
Detroit Lakes compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Lakes | 2.33 | 44.4 | 9.1% | 32.5% | 18.3% | 1978 | $1,073 | 31.6% | 93.3% | 5.2% |
| Shoreham | 2.45 | 48.4 | 3.4% | 9.8% | 20.9% | 1995 | $1,352 | 40.8% | 96.3% | 1.2% |
| Westbury | 2.35 | 47.7 | 4.3% | 20.1% | 12.1% | 1992 | $1,105 | 31.3% | 93.4% | 2.2% |
| Rochert | 2.55 | 47.2 | 6.7% | 8.0% | 35.3% | 1980 | $1,321 | 30.1% | 95.1% | 2.6% |
| Audubon | 2.36 | 49.1 | 5.6% | 10.9% | 37.9% | 1985 | $903 | 33.7% | 95.0% | 2.1% |
| Lake Eunice | 2.39 | 50.6 | 4.6% | 4.4% | 46.1% | 1992 | $975 | 33.4% | 95.8% | 2.2% |
| Callaway | 2.50 | 43.1 | 15.2% | 15.7% | 12.1% | 1971 | $880 | 16.8% | 93.2% | 7.1% |
| Frazee | 2.47 | 42.1 | 7.8% | 17.6% | 21.5% | 1982 | $899 | 20.9% | 92.4% | 3.4% |
| Vergas | 2.36 | 52.3 | 4.2% | 9.6% | 43.6% | 1992 | $1,083 | 34.3% | 96.5% | 3.2% |
| Richwood | 2.49 | 43.3 | 12.6% | 9.9% | 27.7% | 1986 | $874 | 25.0% | 93.6% | 4.3% |
| Lake Park | 2.43 | 47.9 | 6.7% | 9.2% | 35.3% | 1977 | $889 | 36.8% | 95.5% | 1.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Great Lakes, IL · Hampton Bays, NY · Hampstead, MD · Gulf Shores, AL · Gretna, NE · Greenville, PA · Greendale, WI · Greencastle, IN · Greece, NY · Union City, TN
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 Detroit Lakes. 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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