Population 725 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
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Population and households in Ward Springs
Household size in Ward Springs
| Period | Ward Springs | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.46 | 2.52 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.45 | 2.54 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.50 | 2.55 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.52 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.06 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in Ward Springs run a little small, averaging 2.52 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. That is in line with the rest of Minnesota.
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 Ward Springs
| Period | Ward Springs | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 44.4 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 48.1 | 38.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 44.8 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 50.3 | 40.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.9 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 50.3, Ward Springs 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 44.4, but in a place this small, much of that may be survey noise rather than real change.
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 Ward Springs
| Period | Ward Springs | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.8% | 9.9% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 4.4% | 10.2% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.1% | 9.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.1% | 9.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.3 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Ward Springs: 4.1% of households, against 11.6% 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 Ward Springs
Renters in Ward Springs
| Period | Ward Springs | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.1% | 25.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 15.9% | 27.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 15.1% | 28.4% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 13.4% | 27.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.6 pts | +2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 13.4% of households in Ward Springs rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 45.4% have no mortgage at all, 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 Ward Springs
| Period | Ward Springs | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.5% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 27.3% | 9.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 30.0% | 8.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 24.0% | 8.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +2.5 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Ward Springs: 24.0% 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.
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 Ward Springs
| Period | Ward Springs | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1977 | 1973 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1980 | 1974 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1981 | 1975 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1983 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +5 | +6 |
Homes in Ward Springs are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1983, versus 1980 nationally. Homes here are newer than in Minnesota overall, where the median home dates to 1978.
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 Ward Springs
| Period | Ward Springs | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $544 | $882 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $578 | $953 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $677 | $1,099 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,254 | $1,404 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$710 | +$522 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Ward Springs costs $1,254 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. The typical renter here spends 37.7% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
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 Ward Springs
Bachelor's degrees in Ward Springs
| Period | Ward Springs | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.3% | 32.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 19.9% | 33.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 17.2% | 36.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.8% | 39.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | −0.6 pts | +7.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Ward Springs have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 18.8%, against 35.6% nationally.
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 Ward Springs
| Period | Ward Springs | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 89.4% | 91.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 87.9% | 92.2% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 91.0% | 93.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 93.4% | 93.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.0 pts | +2.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Ward Springs is above the national rate: 93.4% of adults have a diploma, against 89.3%. The picture is much the same across Minnesota.
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 Ward Springs
| Period | Ward Springs | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.4% | 6.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 3.8% | 6.5% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 1.0% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.9% | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.5 pts | −2.4 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Ward Springs has been strong: just 2.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. 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).
Ward Springs 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ward Springs | 2.52 | 50.3 | 4.1% | 13.4% | 24.0% | 1983 | $1,254 | 18.8% | 93.4% | 2.9% |
| Grey Eagle | 2.26 | 53.7 | 5.6% | 10.7% | 39.4% | 1980 | $873 | 21.2% | 95.4% | 3.1% |
| Sauk Centre | 2.37 | 45.8 | 9.4% | 34.2% | 9.9% | 1975 | $902 | 18.9% | 91.9% | 4.5% |
| Melrose | 2.55 | 39.7 | 6.3% | 20.7% | 7.0% | 1970 | $881 | 16.7% | 85.8% | 1.2% |
| Round Prairie | 2.88 | 38.6 | 4.9% | 4.9% | 14.7% | 1985 | $1,008 | 13.4% | 89.3% | 7.2% |
| St. Rosa | 2.95 | 38.2 | 2.7% | 8.1% | 22.3% | 1982 | $903 | 27.7% | 95.4% | 1.2% |
| West Union | 2.53 | 41.8 | 6.2% | 7.6% | 18.6% | 1986 | $1,051 | 19.8% | 93.6% | 4.4% |
| Burtrum | 2.22 | 48.6 | 6.5% | 13.3% | 31.2% | 1978 | $842 | 20.1% | 95.5% | 2.4% |
| Meire Grove | 2.51 | 38.3 | 6.6% | 19.9% | 1.0% | 1977 | $1,332 | 20.3% | 96.3% | 1.9% |
| New Munich | 2.73 | 34.0 | 5.3% | 11.8% | 7.8% | 1974 | $960 | 20.4% | 95.3% | 2.0% |
| Gutches Grove | 2.72 | 41.7 | 4.5% | 4.5% | 25.7% | 1984 | $1,012 | 14.5% | 87.5% | 5.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Shady Grove, MS · Keenes, IL · Kellond, OK · Kent, AL · Kiester, MN · Kilkenny, MN · Kingscreek, OH · Kingston, WI · Kiron, IA · Kismet, KS
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 Ward Springs. 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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