County · Minnesota
Clearwater County, Minnesota
Clearwater County, Minnesota. Clearwater County had 8,647 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.6% since 2020, slower than Minnesota (+2.2%). It holds 32 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs, 22 towns and townships and 5 census-designated) and 3 census tracts. GEOID 27029.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
8,647
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 8,524 · ACS 2020-2024: 8,616
Median household income
$64,475
±$2,563 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $89,062
Median home value
$192,100
±$7,893 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $329,300
Median gross rent
$742
±$81 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $1,280
How many people live in Clearwater County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 8,524 residents in Clearwater County. The Census Bureau estimates 8,647 for July 1, 2025, up 1.6% since 2020, slower than Minnesota (+2.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 8,616 over 999 square miles of land.
| Measure | Clearwater County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 8,616 | 5,739,445 | −205 |
| Households | 3,339±89 | 2,307,955 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.54±0.07 | 2.43 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,468±58 | 2,545,030 | −322 |
Clearwater County's population since 2000
From 8,423 in 2000 to 8,647 in 2025: up 2.7%. 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 Clearwater County?
Clearwater County holds 32 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 22 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 5 census-designated places. The largest is Bagley with 1,310 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Bagley | 1,285 | $44,896 |
|---|---|---|
| Copley Township | 867 | $72,292 |
| Popple Township | 535 | $91,563 |
| Shevlin Township | 473 | $70,000 |
| Clearbrook | 464 | $48,750 |
| Pine Lake Township, Clearwater County | 447 | $101,875 |
| Nora Township, Clearwater County | 423 | $68,000 |
| Dudley Township | 420 | $70,417 |
| La Prairie Township | 398 | $42,813 |
| Leon Township, Clearwater County | 392 | $56,944 |
| Holst Township | 335 | $87,083 |
| Eddy Township | 303 | $77,143 |
| Falk Township | 277 | $58,750 |
| Rice Lake, Clearwater County | 274 | $41,136 |
| Gonvick | 263 | $33,750 |
| Moose Creek Township | 256 | $71,875 |
| Minerva Township | 239 | $64,375 |
| Rice Township | 162 | $57,500 |
| Sinclair TownshipGEOID 2702960502 | 142 | not published |
| ShevlinGEOID 2759782 | 137 | $62,361 |
| Itasca TownshipGEOID 2702931508 | 129 | $113,750 |
| Winsor TownshipGEOID 2702971068 | 120 | $52,188 |
| Bear Creek TownshipGEOID 2702904186 | 112 | $61,875 |
| Clover Township, Clearwater CountyGEOID 2702912214 | 88 | $96,250 |
| Greenwood Township, Clearwater CountyGEOID 2702925910 | 78 | $56,250 |
| Long Lost Lake TownshipGEOID 2702938042 | 54 | $100,500 |
| EbroGEOID 2717882 | 50 | not published |
| LeonardGEOID 2736494 | 41 | $53,750 |
| South EndGEOID 2761340 | 34 | $31,875 |
| Roy LakeGEOID 2756212 | 30 | $99,688 |
| Hangaard TownshipGEOID 2702926954 | 6 | not published |
| Elbow Lake, Becker County | 118 | $29,583 |
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 Clearwater County?
The median resident of Clearwater County is 41.6 years old; 25.0% are under 18 and 21.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 83.6%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 7.3%. 1.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Clearwater County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.6±0.6 | 38.8 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 25.0% | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.2%±0.1 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.9% | 6.4% | −1.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 83.6%±0.4 pts | 75.9% | −1.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 6.9% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.2 pts | 5.1% | +0.3 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 6.8%±0.9 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 | 7.3%±0.9 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.1%±0.4 pts | 8.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 7.9%±2.3 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.2%±1.1 pts | 5.9% | – |
| With a disability | 16.8%±1.2 pts | 11.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 12.4%±2.5 pts | 4.7% | +3.8 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 88.4%±1.7 pts | 93.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 19.8%±1.6 pts | 39.4% | +2.7 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.8%±0.9 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.9%±0.4 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 Clearwater County earn?
Half of Clearwater County's 3,339 households earn less than $64,475 a year (±$2,563), against $89,062 in Minnesota. In 2015-2019 it was $62,010 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Clearwater County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $64,475±$2,563 | $89,062 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $82,836±$3,187 | $118,304 | – |
| Per capita income | $33,526±$1,299 | $48,237 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 12.6%±1.6 pts | 9.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 12.6%±3.5 pts | 10.3% | −6.3 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.1%±1.9 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.8%±2.1 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 Clearwater County?
Owners occupy 80.1% of Clearwater County's occupied homes and renters 19.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $192,100 by its owner (±$7,893). The median renter pays $742 a month including utilities, and 26.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Clearwater County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $192,100±$7,893 | $329,300 | +$23,249 |
| Median gross rent | $742±$81 | $1,280 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 26.8%±6.8 pts | 38.4% | −16.8 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,461±$70 | $1,947 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 80.1%±2.4 pts | 72.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,468±58 | 2,545,030 | −322 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.8%±0.5 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.0%±4.1 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 78.4%±2.2 pts | 66.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 13.0%±1.9 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.0%±0.4 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 13.3%±1.4 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 Clearwater County building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units across Clearwater County in 2025 (0 single-family), 0.0 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 Clearwater County get to work?
75.3% of Clearwater County's workers drive alone and 7.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.7%.
| Measure | Clearwater County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 57.7%±1.7 pts | 68.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.7%±1.2 pts | 4.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 75.3%±2.7 pts | 68.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.6%±1.9 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Walked | 4.2%±1.4 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.6%±1.2 pts | 17.6% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.9 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 Clearwater County's census tracts?
Clearwater County is divided into 3 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $63,333 (Tract 3) to $65,972 (Tract 2).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Clearwater County compare with Minnesota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 74th of 87 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 35th of 87 |
| Residents per square mile | 79th of 87 |
| Median household income | 81st of 87 |
| Median home value | 58th of 87 |
| Median gross rent | 77th of 87 |
| Poverty rate | 19th of 87 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 70th of 87 |
| Median age | 46th 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 Clearwater 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.