City profile · Minnesota · Census ACS 2023

Pelican Rapids, MN

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

2,589
Residents
$65,482
Median income
$177,700
Median home
$983
Median rent (state)

Pelican Rapids - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Pelican Rapids places in the 44th percentile for household income and the 95th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

44th
percentile, household income
36th
percentile, home value
18th
percentile, median rent
95th
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: Pelican Rapids, MN

Pelican Rapids is a small town in Minnesota, home to 2,589 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $65,482 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 14.9%. Pelican Rapids's housing stock carries a median value of $177,700, and the median resident age is 37.7 years. About 18.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 56.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 6 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 83% from five years earlier. Pelican Rapids reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 230.9 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

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. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $983 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Minnesota run around $225, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 79.4 out of 100 (High).

Population

2,589 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Minnesota

Median Household Income

$65,482 /yr

Poverty 14.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

98.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Minnesota average

How does Pelican Rapids compare to other US cities?

Pelican Rapids measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 44% higher than other cities
Home value 36% pricier than other cities
Median rent 18% pricier than other cities
Safety 95% 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, Pelican Rapids ranks #33 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

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

Minnesota-relative analysis

Poverty Rate places Pelican Rapids toward the top of Minnesota's cities

Among the 785 Minnesota cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Pelican Rapids ranks #87 - the 89th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Pelican Rapids only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#432 of 775
44th percentile in Minnesota
Median Gross Rent
#509 of 785
34th percentile in Minnesota
Median Home Value
#373 of 774
52nd percentile in Minnesota
Poverty Rate
#87 of 785
89th percentile in Minnesota
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#454 of 784
42nd 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.

44thIncome percentile
95thSafety percentile

44th percentile nationally for median household income · 95th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Pelican Rapids's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Pelican Rapids'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 71 Avg. percentile National median
Pelican Rapids'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 Pelican Rapids's home value compares nationally

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

$177,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 64% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $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. Pelican Rapids $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 - Pelican Rapids, MN Pelican Rapids, MN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Pelican Rapids, 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 Pelican Rapids, MN median $65,482/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%
Pelican Rapids, 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 Pelican Rapids, MN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 18.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 14.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 56.1%

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

Population
2,589
Median Income
$65,482
Median Home Value
$177,700
Median Age
37.7
Poverty Rate
14.9%
Labor force participation
56.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
18.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
230.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
77.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
153.9
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
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,580 residents2,590 residents2,600 residents2,610 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,596 residents 2,608 residents ▲ +0.5%
Pelican Rapids'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
2.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 36
2020 0
2021 2
2022 2
2023 1
2024 6

Permit volume decreased 83% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
74.9%
Carpool
5.4%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
7.0%
Work from Home
10.9%
Other
1.8%

Based on 1,095 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 Pelican Rapids sits in

Cost of Living Index
98.6
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$983/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
79.4 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Minnesota

Osseo
2,601 people
Wabasha
2,569 people
Granite Falls
2,612 people
Lexington
2,616 people
Sandstone
2,538 people
Breezy Point
2,647 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Pelican Rapids's 2,589 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Village of Grosse Pointe Shores, MI
2,589 people
Caddo Mills, TX
2,589 people
Jarrell, TX
2,589 people
Petersburg, IL
2,590 people
North Boston, NY
2,590 people
Gervais, OR
2,588 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Pelican Rapids's $65,482 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Withee, WI
$65,481 median income
LeChee, AZ
$65,486 median income
Schofield, WI
$65,478 median income
Vinton, IA
$65,488 median income
Sioux City, IA
$65,473 median income
Walla Walla, WA
$65,493 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Pelican Rapids, 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 Pelican Rapids, MN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 65.7% 9.1% 15.9% 8.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 25.3% White 65.7% Black or African American 9.1% Asian 0.2% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 15.9% Two or more races 8.9% 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 Pelican Rapids 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
Pelican Rapids (this city) 2,589 $65,482
Osseo 2,601 $66,875
Wabasha 2,569 $62,016
Granite Falls 2,612 $59,402
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MN FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Pelican Rapids, MN?

What is the population of Pelican Rapids, MN? +

2,589 people live in Pelican Rapids, MN according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Pelican Rapids, MN? +

The median household income in Pelican Rapids is $65,482 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Pelican Rapids? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Pelican Rapids; 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 Pelican Rapids, MN safe? +

Pelican Rapids has a total crime rate of 230.9 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 Pelican Rapids, MN? +

A typical home in Pelican Rapids is worth $177,700, 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.