City profile · Minnesota · Census ACS 2023

Carlton, MN

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Carlton - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

891
Residents
$61,944
Median income
$205,300
Median home
$1,232
Median rent (state)

Carlton - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Carlton places in the 38th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

38th
percentile, household income
44th
percentile, home value
39th
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Carlton, MN

891 people live in Carlton, Minnesota - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Carlton households earn a median of $61,944 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 3.1%. Typical homes in Carlton are valued around $205,300, and the median resident age is 50.6 years. About 20.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 46.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 6 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 81% from five years earlier.

Minnesota tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Minnesota scores 98.6 (Near Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,232 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Minnesota run around $225, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 70.1 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

Population

891 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Minnesota

Median Household Income

$61,944 /yr

Poverty 3.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

98.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Minnesota average

How does Carlton compare to other US cities?

Where Carlton sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 38% higher than other cities
Home value 44% pricier than other cities
Median rent 39% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Carlton against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Minnesota only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Minnesota-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent sits close to the middle of Minnesota's city distribution

Among the 785 Minnesota cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Carlton ranks #204 - the 70th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Carlton only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#493 of 775
36th percentile in Minnesota
Median Gross Rent
#204 of 785
70th percentile in Minnesota
Median Home Value
#307 of 774
60th percentile in Minnesota
Poverty Rate
#529 of 785
32nd percentile in Minnesota
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#399 of 784
48th percentile in Minnesota

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Minnesota only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

38thIncome percentile

38th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Carlton's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$205,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 56% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Carlton $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Carlton, MN Carlton, MN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Carlton, MN-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Carlton, MN median $61,944/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Carlton, MN's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Carlton, MN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 20.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 3.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 46.7%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
891
Median Income
$61,944
Median Home Value
$205,300
Median Age
50.6
Poverty Rate
3.1%
Labor force participation
46.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
20.1%

Schools

Total Schools
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
950 residents955 residents960 residents965 residents970 residents 202020212022202320242025 961 residents 965 residents ▲ +0.4%
Carlton's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
6
housing units authorized
Single-Family
6
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
6.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 32
2020 3
2021 0
2022 0
2023 5
2024 6

Permit volume decreased 81% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
75.0%
Carpool
10.8%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.4%
Work from Home
10.3%
Other
2.5%

Based on 360 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Minnesota - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$95
avg/month
Natural Gas
$85
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Minnesota state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Minnesota state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Carlton sits in

Cost of Living Index
98.6
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,232/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
70.1 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Minnesota

Deer River
887 people
Houston
883 people
Biwabik
882 people
Gibbon
880 people
Clarkfield
868 people
Lamberton
864 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Carlton's 891 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Bowman, GA
891 people
Blue Mound, IL
891 people
St. Charles, IA
891 people
McLouth, KS
891 people
Scranton, KS
891 people
Norvelt, PA
891 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Carlton's $61,944 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Tama, IA
$61,944 median income
Bern, KS
$61,944 median income
Fryeburg, ME
$61,944 median income
Burchard, NE
$61,944 median income
North Baltimore, OH
$61,947 median income
Winburne, PA
$61,940 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Carlton, MN Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Carlton, MN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 89.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.1% White 89.0% Black or African American 2.9% Asian 0.0% American Indian 3.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 4.8% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Carlton compares to nearby Minnesota cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Carlton (this city) 891 $61,944
Deer River 887 $38,029
Houston 883 $50,667
Biwabik 882 $69,620
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MN NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Carlton, MN?

What is the population of Carlton, MN? +

The population of Carlton, MN stands at 891 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Carlton, MN? +

The median household income in Carlton is $61,944 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Carlton? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Carlton; the closest available measure is the Minnesota state average, a cost of living index of 98.6 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Minnesota vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Carlton, MN? +

Carlton's median home value sits at $205,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.