County · Minnesota
Crow Wing County, Minnesota
Crow Wing County, Minnesota. Crow Wing County had 69,132 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.6% since 2020, faster than Minnesota (+2.2%). It holds 47 places (18 cities, villages and boroughs, 28 towns and townships and 1 census-designated) and 21 census tracts. GEOID 27035.
Crow Wing County is one of the 2 counties of the Brainerd, MN micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
69,132
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 66,123 · ACS 2020-2024: 67,686
Median household income
$72,589
±$2,891 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $89,062
Median home value
$306,800
±$9,287 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $329,300
Median gross rent
$971
±$50 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $1,280
How many people live in Crow Wing County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 66,123 residents in Crow Wing County. The Census Bureau estimates 69,132 for July 1, 2025, up 4.6% since 2020, faster than Minnesota (+2.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 67,686 over 998 square miles of land.
| Measure | Crow Wing County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 67,686 | 5,739,445 | +3,469 |
| Households | 29,402±460 | 2,307,955 | +2,582 |
| Average household size | 2.26±0.04 | 2.43 | −0.10 |
| Housing units | 42,683±72 | 2,545,030 | +767 |
Crow Wing County's population since 2000
From 55,099 in 2000 to 69,132 in 2025: up 25.5%. 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 Crow Wing County?
Crow Wing County holds 47 places: 18 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 28 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Brainerd with 14,428 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Brainerd | 14,395 | $56,111 |
|---|---|---|
| Baxter | 8,612 | $70,688 |
| Breezy Point | 2,574 | $85,938 |
| Pequot Lakes | 2,395 | $63,699 |
| Crosslake | 2,394 | $79,635 |
| Crosby | 2,360 | $41,554 |
| Crow Wing Township | 2,149 | $99,861 |
| Lake Edward Township | 2,108 | $82,292 |
| Nisswa | 1,967 | $100,000 |
| Oak Lawn Township | 1,764 | $85,417 |
| Deerwood Township, Crow Wing County | 1,309 | $95,119 |
| Irondale Township | 1,262 | $86,591 |
| Ideal Township | 1,210 | $108,355 |
| Long Lake Township, Crow Wing County | 1,111 | $85,385 |
| Fort Ripley Township | 1,009 | $75,000 |
| Center Township | 990 | $74,554 |
| Bay Lake Township | 921 | $74,286 |
| Nokay Lake Township | 898 | $83,750 |
| Emily | 843 | $68,250 |
| Garrison Township | 837 | $73,250 |
| Mission Township | 796 | $80,662 |
| Maple Grove Township, Crow Wing County | 713 | $83,750 |
| St. Mathias Township | 606 | $118,750 |
| Roosevelt Township, Crow Wing County | 582 | $79,167 |
| Ironton | 576 | $62,813 |
| Daggett Brook Township | 551 | $66,429 |
| Deerwood | 526 | $62,981 |
| Pelican Township, Crow Wing County | 501 | $69,250 |
| Jenkins | 490 | $74,250 |
| Fifty Lakes | 443 | $84,615 |
| Platte Lake Township | 419 | $75,417 |
| Jenkins Township | 397 | $105,625 |
| Wolford Township | 348 | $74,063 |
| Rabbit Lake Township | 327 | $76,619 |
| Fairfield Township, Crow Wing County | 317 | $69,792 |
| Cuyuna | 296 | $81,875 |
| Perry Lake Township | 286 | $62,500 |
| Garrison | 194 | $51,250 |
| Timothy TownshipGEOID 2703564930 | 169 | $98,750 |
| Ross Lake Township | 163 | $125,417 |
| MerrifieldGEOID 2741804 | 140 | $39,572 |
| Riverton | 118 | $55,313 |
| TrommaldGEOID 2765506 | 99 | $53,625 |
| Gail Lake TownshipGEOID 2703523012 | 97 | $55,417 |
| Little Pine TownshipGEOID 2703537646 | 87 | $57,875 |
| Fort RipleyGEOID 2721932 | 84 | $53,542 |
| Manhattan BeachGEOID 2739806 | 61 | $68,750 |
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 Crow Wing County?
The median resident of Crow Wing County is 45.7 years old; 20.5% are under 18 and 24.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 93.2%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.1%. 1.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Crow Wing County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.7±0.3 | 38.8 | +1.2 |
| Under 18 years | 20.5% | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 24.5%±0.1 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.6% | 6.4% | +0.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 93.2%±0.3 pts | 75.9% | −1.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 6.9% | −0.3 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.1 pts | 5.1% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.2 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 | 3.1%±0.4 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.3%±0.3 pts | 8.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.0%±0.3 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.3%±0.5 pts | 5.9% | – |
| With a disability | 15.9%±1.0 pts | 11.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.2%±0.7 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.6%±0.6 pts | 93.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 29.3%±1.2 pts | 39.4% | +4.6 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.6%±0.8 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.5%±0.5 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 Crow Wing County earn?
Half of Crow Wing County's 29,402 households earn less than $72,589 a year (±$2,891), against $89,062 in Minnesota. In 2015-2019 it was $69,595 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 9.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Crow Wing County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $72,589±$2,891 | $89,062 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $95,168±$2,394 | $118,304 | – |
| Per capita income | $41,886±$1,015 | $48,237 | +$2,051 |
| People below the poverty line | 9.9%±1.3 pts | 9.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 12.6%±3.3 pts | 10.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.7%±1.2 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.9%±1.2 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 Crow Wing County?
Owners occupy 77.0% of Crow Wing County's occupied homes and renters 23.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $306,800 by its owner (±$9,287). The median renter pays $971 a month including utilities, and 33.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Crow Wing County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $306,800±$9,287 | $329,300 | +$62,753 |
| Median gross rent | $971±$50 | $1,280 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 33.8%±4.6 pts | 38.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,613±$34 | $1,947 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.0%±1.3 pts | 72.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 42,683±72 | 2,545,030 | +767 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.5%±1.1 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 80.1%±1.0 pts | 66.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.0%±0.5 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.5%±0.4 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 7.8%±0.9 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 Crow Wing County building?
Builders took permits for 625 new housing units across Crow Wing County in 2025 (455 single-family), 9.0 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 Crow Wing County get to work?
73.8% of Crow Wing County's workers drive alone and 13.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.5%.
| Measure | Crow Wing County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.6%±1.1 pts | 68.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.5%±1.0 pts | 4.1% | +2.6 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 73.8%±1.5 pts | 68.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.2%±1.1 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Walked | 1.8%±0.5 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 13.2%±1.2 pts | 17.6% | +7.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.1 min±1.0 | 22.7 min | +1.3 min |
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 Crow Wing County's census tracts?
Crow Wing County is divided into 21 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $49,900 (Tract 9512) to $109,625 (Tract 9509.01).
All 21 census tracts of Crow Wing County, with their figures
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Crow Wing County compare with Minnesota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 15th of 87 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 11th of 87 |
| Residents per square mile | 21st of 87 |
| Median household income | 52nd of 87 |
| Median home value | 16th of 87 |
| Median gross rent | 25th of 87 |
| Poverty rate | 50th of 87 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25th of 87 |
| Median age | 16th 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 Crow Wing 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.