Population 8,856 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Park Rapids
Household size in Park Rapids
| Period | Park Rapids | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.24 | 2.52 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.21 | 2.54 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.32 | 2.55 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.27 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.03 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
Park Rapids is a place of small households, averaging 2.27 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has crept up from 2.24 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the west.
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 Park Rapids
| Period | Park Rapids | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 45.9 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 47.1 | 38.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 46.6 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 48.5 | 40.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.6 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 48.5, Park Rapids 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 climbed from 45.9 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Of the 188 Minnesota cities with 5,000+ people, only seven 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 Park Rapids
| Period | Park Rapids | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.6% | 9.9% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.4% | 10.2% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 11.2% | 9.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.7% | 9.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.9 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are a bit less common in Park Rapids than nationally: 9.7%, against 11.6%. That is in line with the rest of Minnesota. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged down 0.9 points, in line with the national trend.
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 Park Rapids
Renters in Park Rapids
| Period | Park Rapids | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 27.3% | 25.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 29.1% | 27.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 31.2% | 28.4% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 27.6% | 27.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.3 pts | +2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
More than a quarter of households in Park Rapids rent their homes (27.6%), below the national share of 34.8%; the rest own. Just over four in ten owners (41.4%) have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. Renting is most common in the southwest and least common in the northeast.
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 Park Rapids
| Period | Park Rapids | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.6% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 28.7% | 9.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 30.7% | 8.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 26.4% | 8.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.3 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Park Rapids: 26.4% 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. Vacancy is down 2.3 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Park Rapids
| Period | Park Rapids | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1976 | 1973 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1979 | 1974 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1980 | 1975 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1984 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +8 | +5 | +6 |
Homes in Park Rapids are a bit newer than the national norm: the median home was built in 1984, versus 1980 across the U.S. The median year built has moved up from 1976 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the east, the oldest in the south.
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 Park Rapids
| Period | Park Rapids | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $625 | $882 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $694 | $953 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $734 | $1,099 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $928 | $1,404 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$303 | +$522 | +$606 |
Rent in Park Rapids runs $928 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $303 a month since 2006–10, up 48%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 32.3% 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 northeast; the highest are in the southeast.
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 Park Rapids
Bachelor's degrees in Park Rapids
| Period | Park Rapids | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.1% | 32.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 21.2% | 33.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 25.6% | 36.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 28.3% | 39.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.2 pts | +7.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are less common in Park Rapids than nationally: 28.3% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 8.2 points, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the northeast and least in the southwest.
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 Park Rapids
| Period | Park Rapids | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 90.8% | 91.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 92.0% | 92.2% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 91.5% | 93.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 92.0% | 93.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.1 pts | +2.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
About nine in ten adults in Park Rapids have finished high school (92.0%), a bit above the national rate of 89.3%. Even so, the rate is lower than in Minnesota overall (93.7%). The share with a diploma is up 1.1 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 Park Rapids
| Period | Park Rapids | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.9% | 6.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.0% | 6.5% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.1% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.2% | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.7 pts | −2.4 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been a little harder to find in Park Rapids than nationally: unemployment was 6.2%, against 5.4%. Of the 188 Minnesota cities with 5,000+ people, only 11 have higher unemployment. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 1.7 points, 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).
Park Rapids 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park Rapids | 2.27 | 48.5 | 9.7% | 27.6% | 26.4% | 1984 | $928 | 28.3% | 92.0% | 6.2% |
| Dorset | 2.52 | 49.9 | 5.4% | 11.4% | 47.3% | 1984 | $1,088 | 37.3% | 95.6% | 4.0% |
| Hubbard | 2.54 | 47.9 | 4.9% | 14.9% | 38.1% | 1983 | $1,012 | 27.1% | 94.4% | 5.3% |
| Nevis | 2.49 | 52.1 | 5.4% | 8.2% | 49.6% | 1985 | $875 | 33.8% | 95.3% | 4.3% |
| Osage | 2.74 | 44.4 | 7.4% | 9.7% | 29.4% | 1987 | $820 | 20.1% | 93.2% | 5.8% |
| Midway | 3.03 | 34.5 | 7.5% | 14.8% | 22.3% | 1979 | $998 | 16.0% | 93.9% | 5.1% |
| Menahga | 2.46 | 42.6 | 6.9% | 21.8% | 25.0% | 1980 | $831 | 23.2% | 95.1% | 6.9% |
| Wolf Lake | 3.32 | 32.0 | 6.4% | 10.4% | 19.5% | 1985 | $989 | 14.8% | 93.5% | 3.8% |
| Lake George | 2.40 | 53.1 | 4.9% | 5.5% | 53.8% | 1988 | $814 | 34.2% | 96.4% | 3.5% |
| Akeley | 2.18 | 56.5 | 5.3% | 7.5% | 47.6% | 1988 | $897 | 29.9% | 94.5% | 2.8% |
| Ponsford | 2.26 | 53.1 | 17.3% | 23.8% | 50.9% | 1980 | $613 | 27.1% | 89.1% | 10.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Somerset, TX · Hooper, UT · Houghton, MI · Howard City, MI · Hudson, NC · Huntingburg, IN · Huntington, VA · Imlay City, MI · Socorro, NM · Somerdale, 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 Park Rapids. 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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