Population 60,475 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Otter Tail County
Household size in Otter Tail County
| Period | Otter Tail County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.31 | 2.52 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.34 | 2.54 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.33 | 2.55 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.41 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.11 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
The average household in Otter Tail County has 2.41 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.31, 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 Otter Tail County
| Period | Otter Tail County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 45.0 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 45.9 | 38.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 46.2 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 45.9 | 40.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.9 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 45.9, Otter Tail County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The median age has crept up from 45.0 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. The youngest areas are in the northeast, the oldest in the center.
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 Otter Tail County
| Period | Otter Tail County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.2% | 9.9% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 6.7% | 10.2% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.1% | 9.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.5% | 9.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.6 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 6.5% of households in Otter Tail County, well below the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 1.6 points, in line with the national trend. Otter Tail County has a lower share of single-parent households than the great majority of Minnesota counties.
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 Otter Tail County
Renters in Otter Tail County
| Period | Otter Tail County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.4% | 25.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 20.9% | 27.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 21.7% | 28.4% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 20.5% | 27.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.9 pts | +2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Otter Tail County is largely a place of homeowners: only 20.5% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 45.9% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has edged down 0.9 points, even as the national share rose.
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 Otter Tail County
| Period | Otter Tail County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.7% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 24.8% | 9.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 25.5% | 8.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 24.5% | 8.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +0.8 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 24.5% of the housing in Otter Tail 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. Vacancy is up 0.8 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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 Otter Tail County
| Period | Otter Tail County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1969 | 1973 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1972 | 1974 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1977 | 1975 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1978 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +9 | +5 | +6 |
The typical home in Otter Tail County was built around 1978, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). The median year built has moved up from 1969 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the north, while the southwest 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 Otter Tail County
| Period | Otter Tail County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $597 | $882 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $674 | $953 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $742 | $1,099 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $900 | $1,404 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$304 | +$522 | +$606 |
Rent in Otter Tail County runs $900 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $304 a month from 2006–10, a 51% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 26.0% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the south; the most affordable are in the northwest.
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 Otter Tail County
Bachelor's degrees in Otter Tail County
| Period | Otter Tail County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.7% | 32.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 23.5% | 33.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 24.8% | 36.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 27.7% | 39.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.0 pts | +7.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
More than a quarter of adults 25 and older in Otter Tail County (27.7%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 8.0 points, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the north and least in the southeast.
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 Otter Tail County
| Period | Otter Tail County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 88.3% | 91.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 90.4% | 92.2% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 92.0% | 93.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.0% | 93.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.8 pts | +2.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Otter Tail County is above the national rate: 94.0% of adults have a diploma, against 89.3%. The picture is much the same across Minnesota. The share with a diploma is up 5.8 points from 2006–10, as it has 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 Otter Tail County
| Period | Otter Tail County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.5% | 6.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.1% | 6.5% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.1% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.5% | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.0 pts | −2.4 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Otter Tail County runs below the national rate: 4.5% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Unemployment is down 1.0 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. 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).
Otter Tail 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otter Tail County | 2.41 | 45.9 | 6.5% | 20.5% | 24.5% | 1978 | $900 | 27.7% | 94.0% | 4.5% |
| Wilkin County | 2.34 | 42.1 | 9.5% | 20.3% | 10.6% | 1968 | $1,167 | 22.1% | 93.2% | 4.3% |
| Wadena County | 2.31 | 41.6 | 11.3% | 26.4% | 12.7% | 1974 | $790 | 20.1% | 92.6% | 5.5% |
| Crow Wing County | 2.28 | 46.3 | 8.3% | 23.0% | 23.3% | 1986 | $1,039 | 29.2% | 94.6% | 5.2% |
| Ransom County | 2.29 | 46.3 | 6.6% | 25.3% | 8.2% | 1969 | $803 | 23.0% | 92.0% | 2.5% |
| Aitkin County | 2.20 | 55.2 | 5.5% | 14.7% | 44.6% | 1982 | $1,018 | 20.3% | 94.6% | 5.8% |
| LaMoure County | 2.26 | 45.8 | 5.9% | 16.4% | 15.4% | 1965 | $744 | 25.1% | 92.0% | 2.5% |
| Logan County | 2.25 | 49.4 | 2.2% | 17.0% | 26.8% | 1965 | $758 | 25.7% | 91.3% | 1.9% |
| Bayfield County | 2.23 | 53.1 | 6.0% | 16.1% | 38.0% | 1980 | $871 | 34.5% | 95.9% | 3.6% |
| Ashland County | 2.31 | 43.3 | 8.0% | 26.6% | 22.4% | 1969 | $742 | 25.4% | 95.7% | 3.8% |
| Iron County | 1.97 | 54.1 | 7.9% | 11.5% | 38.7% | 1968 | $673 | 25.9% | 95.1% | 2.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Adams County, IL · York County, VA · Wise County, TX · Blue Earth County, MN · Aroostook County, ME · Armstrong County, PA · Anderson County, TX · Apache County, AZ · Nacogdoches County, TX · Salem County, NJ
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 Otter Tail 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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