County · Minnesota
Aitkin County, Minnesota
Aitkin County, Minnesota. Aitkin County had 16,252 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.6% since 2020, faster than Minnesota (+2.2%). It holds 46 places (6 cities, villages and boroughs and 40 towns and townships) and 8 census tracts. GEOID 27001.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
16,252
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 15,697 · ACS 2020-2024: 16,056
Median household income
$60,833
±$1,982 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $89,062
Median home value
$255,800
±$8,382 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $329,300
Median gross rent
$869
±$73 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $1,280
How many people live in Aitkin County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 15,697 residents in Aitkin County. The Census Bureau estimates 16,252 for July 1, 2025, up 3.6% since 2020, faster than Minnesota (+2.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 16,056 over 1,821 square miles of land.
| Measure | Aitkin County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 16,056 | 5,739,445 | +222 |
| Households | 7,222±168 | 2,307,955 | −459 |
| Average household size | 2.19±0.05 | 2.43 | +0.16 |
| Housing units | 14,253±41 | 2,545,030 | −2,490 |
Aitkin County's population since 2000
From 15,301 in 2000 to 16,252 in 2025: up 6.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Aitkin County?
Aitkin County holds 46 places: 6 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 40 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government). The largest is Aitkin with 2,155 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Aitkin | 2,168 | $47,978 |
|---|---|---|
| Shamrock Township | 1,215 | $70,903 |
| Farm Island Township | 995 | $68,250 |
| Nordland Township, Aitkin County | 983 | $76,125 |
| Aitkin Township | 910 | $94,464 |
| Hazelton Township, Aitkin County | 792 | $63,333 |
| Hill City | 613 | $37,396 |
| Spencer Township | 522 | $81,375 |
| Lakeside Township, Aitkin County | 504 | $59,773 |
| Hill Lake Township | 435 | $70,893 |
| Glen Township | 432 | $64,500 |
| McGregor | 384 | $26,250 |
| Malmo Township | 353 | $61,250 |
| Wagner Township | 335 | $71,250 |
| Jevne Township | 334 | $78,125 |
| Fleming Township, Aitkin County | 329 | $57,500 |
| Spalding Township | 320 | $58,125 |
| Waukenabo Township | 312 | $73,625 |
| Ball Bluff Township | 272 | $74,000 |
| Wealthwood Township | 251 | $61,964 |
| Idun Township | 222 | $42,500 |
| Workman Township | 212 | $71,786 |
| Kimberly Township | 188 | $76,250 |
| Logan Township, Aitkin CountyGEOID 2700137844 | 185 | $67,750 |
| Morrison TownshipGEOID 2700144278 | 180 | $66,250 |
| Macville TownshipGEOID 2700139212 | 170 | $35,893 |
| PalisadeGEOID 2749498 | 162 | $29,583 |
| Haugen TownshipGEOID 2700127602 | 154 | $48,750 |
| Turner Township | 137 | $50,000 |
| Rice River Township | 120 | $56,875 |
| Williams TownshipGEOID 2700170384 | 120 | $51,500 |
| Clark Township, Aitkin CountyGEOID 2700111620 | 116 | $62,500 |
| Pliny TownshipGEOID 2700151694 | 116 | $43,000 |
| McGregor TownshipGEOID 2700139032 | 96 | $38,125 |
| Salo TownshipGEOID 2700158270 | 85 | $38,750 |
| Seavey TownshipGEOID 2700159134 | 64 | $53,750 |
| TamarackGEOID 2764156 | 62 | $60,833 |
| Beaver Township, Aitkin CountyGEOID 2700104384 | 62 | $45,938 |
| Millward TownshipGEOID 2700142300 | 60 | $54,375 |
| Cornish Township, Aitkin CountyGEOID 2700113330 | 45 | $93,750 |
| Libby TownshipGEOID 2700136908 | 43 | $59,375 |
| McGrathGEOID 2738996 | 41 | not published |
| Verdon TownshipGEOID 2700166748 | 40 | $66,250 |
| Lee Township, Aitkin CountyGEOID 2700136152 | 38 | $36,042 |
| White Pine TownshipGEOID 2700170132 | 38 | $76,250 |
| Balsam Township, Aitkin CountyGEOID 2700103412 | 32 | $58,750 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Aitkin County?
The median resident of Aitkin County is 56.9 years old; 15.6% are under 18 and 34.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 92.5%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 2.9%. 0.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Aitkin County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 56.9±0.4 | 38.8 | +1.4 |
| Under 18 years | 15.6%±0.1 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 34.4%±0.1 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.5% | 6.4% | +0.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 92.5%±0.3 pts | 75.9% | −1.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.2 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 5.1% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 1.4%±0.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.9%±0.4 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.9%±0.3 pts | 8.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.8%±0.3 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 10.0%±0.7 pts | 5.9% | – |
| With a disability | 19.8%±1.0 pts | 11.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.2%±0.7 pts | 4.7% | +1.1 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.6%±0.7 pts | 93.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 20.3%±1.2 pts | 39.4% | +2.2 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.2%±0.7 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.7%±0.2 pts | 1.8% | – |
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 Aitkin County earn?
Half of Aitkin County's 7,222 households earn less than $60,833 a year (±$1,982), against $89,062 in Minnesota. In 2015-2019 it was $60,736 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 13.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Aitkin County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $60,833±$1,982 | $89,062 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $77,208±$2,823 | $118,304 | – |
| Per capita income | $36,503±$1,330 | $48,237 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 13.1%±1.4 pts | 9.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 14.6%±4.0 pts | 10.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.9%±1.0 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.3%±1.4 pts | 91.6% | – |
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 Aitkin County?
Owners occupy 85.3% of Aitkin County's occupied homes and renters 14.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $255,800 by its owner (±$8,382). The median renter pays $869 a month including utilities, and 38.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Aitkin County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $255,800±$8,382 | $329,300 | +$30,337 |
| Median gross rent | $869±$73 | $1,280 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 38.6%±7.1 pts | 38.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,507±$44 | $1,947 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 85.3%±1.4 pts | 72.2% | +3.1 pts |
| Housing units | 14,253±41 | 2,545,030 | −2,490 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6%±0.4 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.2%±0.9 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 82.9%±1.2 pts | 66.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 10.6%±0.9 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.3%±0.3 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 10.1%±0.8 pts | 15.6% | – |
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 Aitkin County building?
Builders took permits for 214 new housing units across Aitkin County in 2025 (170 single-family), 13.2 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Aitkin County get to work?
74.3% of Aitkin County's workers drive alone and 12.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 27.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.8%.
| Measure | Aitkin County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 48.0%±1.2 pts | 68.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.8%±1.3 pts | 4.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 74.3%±1.9 pts | 68.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.9%±1.4 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Walked | 2.4%±0.6 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 12.7%±1.1 pts | 17.6% | +6.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 27.7 min±1.4 | 22.7 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 are Aitkin County's census tracts?
Aitkin County is divided into 8 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $49,063 (Tract 7704.02) to $70,417 (Tract 7704.01).
| Tract 770127001770100 | 2,482±147 | $68,973 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 770227001770200 | 2,224±150 | $58,795 |
| Tract 770327001770300 | 3,358±222 | $53,203 |
| Tract 7704.0127001770401 | 1,419±138 | $70,417 |
| Tract 7704.0227001770402 | 1,623±147 | $49,063 |
| Tract 7905.0127001790501 | 1,846±140 | $58,333 |
| Tract 7905.0327001790503 | 1,726±157 | $70,250 |
| Tract 7905.0427001790504 | 1,378±107 | $67,917 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Aitkin County compare with Minnesota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 53rd of 87 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 19th of 87 |
| Residents per square mile | 78th of 87 |
| Median household income | 84th of 87 |
| Median home value | 31st of 87 |
| Median gross rent | 51st of 87 |
| Poverty rate | 13th of 87 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 67th of 87 |
| Median age | 1st of 87 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Aitkin County 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' school search.