Population 28,919 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Elk River
Household size in Elk River
| Period | Elk River | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.85 | 2.58 | 2.52 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.88 | 2.61 | 2.54 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.78 | 2.63 | 2.55 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.73 | 2.58 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.12 | −0.00 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
At 2.73 people per household, Elk River sits close to the national average of 2.65. The typical household here is bigger than in the wider Minneapolis area, where it has 2.58 people. Household size has dropped from 2.85 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Elk River
| Period | Elk River | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.3 | 36.8 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 36.7 | 37.8 | 38.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 37.3 | 38.6 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 37.9 | 39.2 | 40.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.6 | +2.5 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Elk River is 37.9 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 34.3, as it has nationally. The youngest areas are in the northeast, the oldest in the west.
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 Elk River
| Period | Elk River | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.9% | 10.2% | 9.9% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.0% | 10.6% | 10.2% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 14.7% | 9.9% | 9.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.9% | 9.8% | 9.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.0 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are less common in Elk River than nationally: 8.9%, against 11.6%. The picture is much the same across the Minneapolis area. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged up 1.0 points, even as the national share fell.
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 Elk River
Renters in Elk River
| Period | Elk River | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.9% | 27.3% | 25.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 21.0% | 29.6% | 27.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 20.0% | 30.0% | 28.4% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 19.4% | 29.3% | 27.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | +3.5 pts | +2.0 pts | +2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Elk River is largely a place of homeowners: only 19.4% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among owners, 23.1% have paid off their mortgages, well below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 3.5 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Elk River
| Period | Elk River | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.5% | 7.0% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 5.7% | 6.2% | 9.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.4% | 5.5% | 8.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 6.6% | 5.7% | 8.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +0.1 pts | −1.3 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Fewer homes sit empty in Elk River than nationally: 6.6%, against 9.6% for the U.S. That is in line with the rest of the Minneapolis area.
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 Elk River
| Period | Elk River | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1991 | 1975 | 1973 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1992 | 1976 | 1974 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1992 | 1977 | 1975 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1995 | 1980 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +4 | +5 | +6 |
Elk River has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1995, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1991 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the southeast, the oldest in the center.
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 Elk River
| Period | Elk River | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,215 | $1,007 | $882 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,104 | $1,077 | $953 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,208 | $1,258 | $1,099 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,462 | $1,603 | $1,404 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$247 | +$597 | +$522 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Elk River costs $1,462 a month with utilities, below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $247 a month since 2006–10, up 20%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 27.4% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the north; the most affordable are in the east.
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 Elk River
Bachelor's degrees in Elk River
| Period | Elk River | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.2% | 37.2% | 32.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 30.8% | 39.1% | 33.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 27.0% | 41.8% | 36.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 35.6% | 45.4% | 39.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +7.4 pts | +8.1 pts | +7.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
More than a third of adults 25 and older in Elk River (35.6%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, the same as the national share. The share is lower than in the Minneapolis area as a whole (45.4%). The share with a degree has risen 7.4 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 Elk River
| Period | Elk River | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 93.6% | 92.4% | 91.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 95.3% | 92.9% | 92.2% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 94.6% | 93.5% | 93.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 95.0% | 94.0% | 93.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.3 pts | +1.6 pts | +2.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Elk River: 95.0% 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 the Minneapolis area. The share with a diploma is up 1.3 points from 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally.
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 Elk River
| Period | Elk River | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.6% | 6.7% | 6.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.6% | 6.8% | 6.5% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.7% | 3.6% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 1.7% | 4.0% | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.9 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.4 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Elk River has been strong: just 1.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Only 16 of the 188 Minnesota cities with 5,000+ people have lower unemployment. Unemployment is down 5.9 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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).
Elk River 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk River | 2.73 | 37.9 | 8.9% | 19.4% | 6.6% | 1995 | $1,462 | 35.6% | 95.0% | 1.7% |
| Otsego | 2.83 | 38.0 | 6.1% | 9.1% | 6.3% | 2004 | $1,674 | 38.3% | 93.6% | 1.6% |
| Nowthen | 3.23 | 41.6 | 5.3% | 2.6% | 2.7% | 1995 | $1,409 | 37.5% | 94.7% | 3.2% |
| Albertville | 2.94 | 35.3 | 9.1% | 9.2% | 4.0% | 2004 | $1,636 | 43.8% | 96.3% | 1.2% |
| Ramsey | 2.69 | 39.8 | 11.5% | 15.0% | 4.8% | 1994 | $1,779 | 35.1% | 97.3% | 4.3% |
| Rogers | 2.89 | 38.5 | 10.3% | 13.9% | 3.3% | 2003 | $1,840 | 53.5% | 97.4% | 1.3% |
| Big Lake | 3.10 | 35.5 | 15.2% | 10.6% | 6.2% | 1995 | $1,708 | 31.2% | 95.7% | 3.1% |
| St. Michael | 2.87 | 36.6 | 9.7% | 10.4% | 3.4% | 1998 | $1,771 | 44.3% | 98.2% | 2.8% |
| Zimmerman | 3.03 | 37.2 | 8.6% | 9.4% | 6.8% | 1999 | $1,378 | 24.0% | 94.7% | 2.0% |
| Dayton | 2.83 | 41.3 | 6.9% | 6.9% | 2.8% | 2011 | $1,768 | 46.4% | 94.3% | 1.6% |
| Orrock | 2.96 | 41.1 | 6.4% | 2.5% | 11.4% | 1998 | $1,819 | 35.7% | 96.0% | 3.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Fremont, NE · Jeffersontown, KY · Ilchester, MD · Huntley, IL · Hixson, TN · Highland Park, IL · Hackettstown, NJ · Gulf Breeze, FL · Garden City, MI · Garden City, ID
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 Elk River. 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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