Population 3,821 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Lake of the Woods County
Household size in Lake of the Woods County
| Period | Lake of the Woods County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.34 | 2.52 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.30 | 2.54 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.55 | 2.55 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.06 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.28 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in Lake of the Woods County are small: just 2.06 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 dropped from 2.34 in 2006–10, but in a place this small, much of that may be survey noise rather than real change. Of Minnesota's 87 counties, only two 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 Lake of the Woods County
| Period | Lake of the Woods County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 47.6 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 48.2 | 38.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 50.7 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 48.2 | 40.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.5 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
Lake of the Woods County skews older: half of its residents are older than 48.2, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. Only six of Minnesota's 87 counties are older.
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 Lake of the Woods County
| Period | Lake of the Woods County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.1% | 9.9% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.5% | 10.2% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.6% | 9.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.3% | 9.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.7 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 6.3% of households in Lake of the Woods County, well below the national share of 11.6%. Few Minnesota counties have a lower share of single-parent households: only seven of 87.
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 Lake of the Woods County
Renters in Lake of the Woods County
| Period | Lake of the Woods County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.4% | 25.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 12.9% | 27.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 19.1% | 28.4% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 18.2% | 27.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | +5.8 pts | +2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 18.2% of households in Lake of the Woods County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 57.7% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%.
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 Lake of the Woods County
| Period | Lake of the Woods County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.0% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 44.6% | 9.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 50.6% | 8.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 36.7% | 8.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.3 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 36.7% of the housing in Lake of the Woods County, 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. Few Minnesota counties have a higher vacancy rate: only three of 87.
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 Lake of the Woods County
| Period | Lake of the Woods County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1978 | 1973 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1978 | 1974 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1982 | 1975 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1986 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +5 | +6 |
The housing in Lake of the Woods County is younger than the country's: half of it was built after 1986, against 1980 nationally. Lake of the Woods County has newer homes than at least four in five Minnesota counties.
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 Lake of the Woods County
| Period | Lake of the Woods County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $375 | $882 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $506 | $953 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $758 | $1,099 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $986 | $1,404 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$610 | +$522 | +$606 |
The median renter in Lake of the Woods County pays $986 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent takes 25.9% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
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 Lake of the Woods County
Bachelor's degrees in Lake of the Woods County
| Period | Lake of the Woods County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.4% | 32.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.4% | 33.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 16.8% | 36.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 25.2% | 39.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.8 pts | +7.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Lake of the Woods County: 25.2% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%.
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 Lake of the Woods County
| Period | Lake of the Woods County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 89.5% | 91.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 91.4% | 92.2% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 93.2% | 93.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.8% | 93.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +7.3 pts | +2.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Lake of the Woods County: 96.8% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Only one other Minnesota county has a higher share of high school graduates.
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 Lake of the Woods County
| Period | Lake of the Woods County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.0% | 6.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 3.8% | 6.5% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.5% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 1.3% | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.7 pts | −2.4 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Lake of the Woods County has been strong: just 1.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Only two of Minnesota's 87 counties have lower unemployment. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
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).
Lake of the Woods 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake of the Woods County | 2.06 | 48.2 | 6.3% | 18.2% | 36.7% | 1986 | $986 | 25.2% | 96.8% | 1.3% |
| Roseau County | 2.42 | 42.5 | 10.3% | 20.8% | 12.6% | 1981 | $1,024 | 21.3% | 93.8% | 3.5% |
| Koochiching County | 1.98 | 50.5 | 9.8% | 19.6% | 17.8% | 1970 | $650 | 22.3% | 94.7% | 4.6% |
| Marshall County | 2.33 | 43.8 | 8.4% | 17.0% | 13.8% | 1970 | $758 | 18.6% | 92.9% | 3.6% |
| Kittson County | 2.19 | 47.8 | 4.9% | 17.1% | 19.9% | 1966 | $790 | 29.2% | 95.9% | 5.0% |
| Pembina County | 2.25 | 45.4 | 5.9% | 25.4% | 15.3% | 1969 | $815 | 25.3% | 92.3% | 3.1% |
| Walsh County | 2.32 | 42.7 | 9.4% | 24.0% | 13.8% | 1970 | $862 | 19.3% | 89.5% | 1.5% |
| Cavalier County | 2.34 | 46.3 | 5.8% | 18.7% | 23.2% | 1968 | $925 | 23.3% | 93.0% | 1.0% |
| Towner County | 2.07 | 48.8 | 7.5% | 21.2% | 19.6% | 1969 | $659 | 24.1% | 91.4% | 0.7% |
| Rolette County | 3.27 | 33.8 | 31.2% | 37.2% | 17.4% | 1983 | $532 | 17.5% | 84.2% | 3.9% |
| Pierce County | 2.05 | 42.7 | 6.1% | 18.4% | 10.3% | 1969 | $707 | 27.8% | 93.3% | 1.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Pocahontas County, IA · Lane County, KS · Lanier County, GA · Lee County, KY · Petroleum County, MT · Pickett County, TN · Pierce County, NE · Pike County, IN · Pipestone County, MN · Piute County, UT
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 Lake of the Woods 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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