City · Minnesota
Bemidji, Minnesota
Bemidji, city, in Beltrami County, Minnesota. Bemidji had 15,770 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.3% from the Bureau's April 2020 estimates base of 15,409; the 2020 Census counted 14,574 on the place as it was defined then and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 15,569 (±41). GEOID 2705068.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
15,770
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 14,574 · ACS 2020-2024: 15,569 ±41
Median household income
$55,405
±$4,666 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $89,062
Median home value
$198,300
±$22,379 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $329,300
Median gross rent
$1,067
±$30 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $1,280
Where is Bemidji and what county is it in?
Bemidji is a city in Beltrami County, Minnesota. It covers 17.4 square miles of land, 836 residents per square mile in 2020.
Bemidji is in the Bemidji, MN micropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Bemidji, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 15,770 people lived in Bemidji on July 1, 2025, up 2.3% since 2020, in line with Minnesota (+2.2%). The Census Bureau's yearly estimates start from its own April 2020 base for Bemidji, 15,409, which differs from the 2020 Census count of 14,574: the estimates follow the place as the estimates program defines it today (its present boundaries, and for a consolidated city-county the area the program assigns it), so the change since 2020 is measured from that base. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 15,569 (±41).
| Measure | Bemidji | Beltrami County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 15,569 ±41 | 46,512 | +437 |
| Households | 6,636 ±250 | 18,172 | +497 |
| Average household size | 2.10 ±0.08 | 2.45 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,232 ±295 | 21,729 | +564 |
Bemidji's population since 2000
From 11,917 in 2000 to 15,770 in 2025: up 32.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Bemidji as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Bemidji?
The median resident of Bemidji is 30.0 years old; 19.6% are under 18 and 17.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 70.9%, then non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native residents at 11.3%. 2.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Bemidji | Beltrami County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 30.0 ±1.7 | 35.3 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 19.6% ±1.7 pts | 24.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.1% ±1.8 pts | 17.6% | – |
| Male | 48.5% ±1.6 pts | 50.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.2% ±0.8 pts | 2.6% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 70.9% ±2.8 pts | 70.0% | −7.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.8% ±0.6 pts | 0.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.0% ±0.5 pts | 0.6% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 11.3% ±2.5 pts | 18.7% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 10.8% ±2.2 pts | 6.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.9% ±0.8 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.3% ±0.7 pts | 1.4% | +0.9 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.8% ±1.4 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.0% ±1.7 pts | 7.5% | – |
| With a disability | 16.8% ±2.4 pts | 14.7% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.1% ±2.0 pts | 7.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.2% ±2.8 pts | 92.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 32.5% ±4.1 pts | 31.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 14.7% ±3.0 pts | 12.1% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 70.2% ±3.1 pts | 84.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.5% ±1.4 pts | 2.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Bemidji earn?
Half of Bemidji's 6,636 households earn less than $55,405 a year (±$4,666), against $68,975 in Beltrami County and $89,062 in Minnesota. In 2015-2019 the median was $39,620 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $15,785 after inflation. 21.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Bemidji | Beltrami County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $55,405 ±$4,666 | $68,975 | +$15,785 |
| Mean household income | $71,996 ±$6,215 | $89,694 | – |
| Per capita income | $31,542 ±$2,462 | $35,509 | +$4,925 |
| People below the poverty line | 21.3% ±3.2 pts | 16.1% | −10.0 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 24.4% ±7.2 pts | 18.4% | −17.0 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.5% ±2.7 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Households with a computer | 95.0% ±1.6 pts | 94.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.8% ±2.4 pts | 91.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Bemidji?
Owners occupy 43.1% of Bemidji's occupied homes and renters 56.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $198,300 by its owner (±$22,379). The median renter pays $1,067 a month including utilities, and 34.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Bemidji | Beltrami County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $198,300 ±$22,379 | $237,500 | +$26,126 |
| Median gross rent | $1,067 ±$30 | $1,053 | +$98 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 34.7% ±6.1 pts | 33.5% | −17.2 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,428 ±$106 | $1,588 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 43.1% ±3.7 pts | 70.1% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 56.9% ±3.7 pts | 29.9% | – |
| Housing units | 7,232 ±295 | 21,729 | +564 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±0.8 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.7% ±2.5 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 47.3% ±4.3 pts | 69.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.9% ±2.3 pts | 11.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.1% ±1.7 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 17.5% ±3.5 pts | 13.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 12.5% ±3.1 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 9.9% ±2.5 pts | 5.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Bemidji building?
Builders took permits for 22 new housing units in Bemidji in 2025 (16 in single-family houses), 1.4 per 1,000 residents against 3.6 across Minnesota.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Bemidji work and get to work?
76.3% of Bemidji's workers drive alone and 5.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 17.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.2%.
| Measure | Bemidji | Beltrami County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 64.0% ±2.5 pts | 62.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2% ±1.8 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 76.3% ±3.3 pts | 76.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.4% ±2.9 pts | 10.2% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.8% ±0.7 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Walked | 4.9% ±1.5 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.9% ±2.0 pts | 7.7% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 17.4 min ±2.9 | 21.0 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Bemidji?
4 census tracts lie mostly in Bemidji, and 4 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $43,719 (Tract 4507.03) to $65,655 (Tract 4507.06).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 4506Beltrami County | 4,896 | $61,861 |
| Tract 4507.04Beltrami County | 3,826 | $55,133 |
| Tract 4507.06Beltrami County | 2,193 | $65,655 |
| Tract 4502.02Beltrami County | 5,813 | $66,065 |
| Tract 4507.03Beltrami County | 1,885 | $43,719 |
| Tract 4507.05Beltrami County | 2,192 | $97,111 |
| Tract 4501.02Beltrami County | 5,412 | $80,110 |
| Tract 4501.01Beltrami County | 2,239 | $77,171 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Bemidji) · Census block assignment files
How does Bemidji compare with other places in Minnesota?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Bemidji is the 2,333rd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 72nd-most populous of 855 in Minnesota.
Bemidji ranks 526th of 558 places in Minnesota with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 72nd | 855 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 233rd | 556 |
| Residents per square mile | 248th | 562 |
| Median household income | 526th | 558 |
| Per capita income | 504th | 562 |
| Median home value | 449th | 559 |
| Median gross rent | 248th | 465 |
| Poverty rate | 18th | 461 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 227th | 559 |
| Median age | 551st | 561 |
| Owner-occupied share | 559th | 561 |
| Work from home | 477th | 525 |
| Travel time to work | 493rd | 562 |
Bemidji's figures with every place in Minnesota (CSV)
Every place in Minnesota, sortable · Compare Bemidji with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Bemidji?
5 of the 57 figures for Bemidji on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Bemidji are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Bemidji.