City profile · Minnesota · Census ACS 2023

Elk River, MN

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

26,367
Residents
$99,457
Median income
$338,300
Median home
$1,709
Median rent (state)

Elk River - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Elk River lands in the 77th percentile for household income and the 60th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

77th
percentile, household income
70th
percentile, home value
68th
percentile, median rent
60th
percentile, safety
📝 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: Elk River, MN

Minnesota's Elk River is a small city, with 26,367 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Elk River brings in $99,457 a year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 2.4%. Home values in Elk River run a median of $338,300, and the median resident age is 37.3 years. About 30.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 68.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 98 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Slowing), down 22% from five years earlier. Elk River reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 1096.1 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Minnesota tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: the state registers 98.6 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Near Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,709 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Minnesota run around $225, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Workers in Elk River report an average commute of 24.3 minutes, with 76.9% driving alone and 14.1% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 53.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Low).

Population

26,367 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Minnesota

Median Household Income

$99,457 /yr

Poverty 2.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

98.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Minnesota average

How does Elk River compare to other US cities?

Here's how Elk River stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 77% higher than other cities
Home value 70% pricier than other cities
Median rent 68% pricier than other cities
Safety 60% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Minnesota, Elk River ranks #129 of 229 Minnesota cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Elk River's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Minnesota, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

77thIncome percentile
60thSafety percentile

77th percentile nationally for median household income · 60th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Elk River's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Elk River's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 56 Avg. percentile National median
Elk River's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Elk River's home value compares nationally

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

$338,300 30th percentile more affordable than 30% 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%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Elk River $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 - Elk River, MN Elk River, MN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Elk River, 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 Elk River, MN median $99,457/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%
Elk River, 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 Elk River, MN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 30.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 2.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 68.8%

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

Population
26,367
Median Income
$99,457
Median Home Value
$338,300
Median Age
37.3
Poverty Rate
2.4%
Labor force participation
68.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
30.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1096.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
89.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1006.3
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
21
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
25,000 residents26,000 residents27,000 residents28,000 residents29,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 25,938 residents 27,896 residents ▲ +7.5%
Elk River's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
98
housing units authorized
Single-Family
98
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
3.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 125
2020 120
2021 199
2022 268
2023 141
2024 98

Permit volume decreased 22% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
24.3 minutes
Drive Alone
76.9%
Carpool
5.3%
Public Transit
1.4%
Walk
0.6%
Work from Home
14.1%
Other
1.7%

Based on 13,808 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 Elk River sits in

Cost of Living Index
98.6
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,709/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
53.6 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Minnesota

Owatonna
26,462 people
Rosemount
26,509 people
Austin
26,167 people
Shoreview
26,724 people
Chanhassen
26,001 people
Winona
25,998 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Elk River's 26,367 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Carolina Forest, SC
26,373 people
Elmira, NY
26,349 people
Forest Grove, OR
26,406 people
Woodstock, IL
26,316 people
Leland, NC
26,307 people
Eureka, CA
26,302 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Elk River's $99,457 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Slinger, WI
$99,457 median income
Goshen, NY
$99,464 median income
Pine Level, AL
$99,444 median income
Perkasie, PA
$99,474 median income
Scappoose, OR
$99,475 median income
Clinton CDP (Allegheny County), PA
$99,436 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Elk River, 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 Elk River, MN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 83.4% 7.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.8% White 83.4% Black or African American 5.7% Asian 1.1% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.4% Two or more races 7.0% 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 Elk River 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
Elk River (this city) 26,367 $99,457
Owatonna 26,462 $81,276
Rosemount 26,509 $127,247
Austin 26,167 $66,488
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MN FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Elk River, MN?

What is the population of Elk River, MN? +

26,367 people live in Elk River, MN according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Elk River, MN? +

Median annual household income in Elk River runs $99,457, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Elk River? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Elk River; 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.

Is Elk River, MN safe? +

Elk River has a total crime rate of 1096.1 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Elk River, MN? +

The median home value in Elk River is $338,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, 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.