County · Minnesota
Kanabec County, Minnesota
Kanabec County, Minnesota. Kanabec County had 16,628 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.7% since 2020, faster than Minnesota (+2.2%). It holds 20 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs and 15 towns and townships) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 27065.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
16,628
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 16,032 · ACS 2020-2024: 16,390
Median household income
$71,460
±$4,011 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $89,062
Median home value
$228,100
±$5,699 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $329,300
Median gross rent
$962
±$134 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $1,280
How many people live in Kanabec County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 16,032 residents in Kanabec County. The Census Bureau estimates 16,628 for July 1, 2025, up 3.7% since 2020, faster than Minnesota (+2.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 16,390 over 522 square miles of land.
| Measure | Kanabec County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 16,390 | 5,739,445 | +301 |
| Households | 6,564±127 | 2,307,955 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.45±0.05 | 2.43 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,839±36 | 2,545,030 | −92 |
Kanabec County's population since 2000
From 14,996 in 2000 to 16,628 in 2025: up 10.9%. 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 Kanabec County?
Kanabec County holds 20 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 15 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government). The largest is Mora with 3,763 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Mora | 3,665 | $52,535 |
|---|---|---|
| Arthur Township, Kanabec County | 1,771 | $72,375 |
| Brunswick Township | 1,320 | $92,434 |
| Knife Lake Township | 1,212 | $100,568 |
| Comfort Township | 1,207 | $91,196 |
| Grass Lake Township | 965 | $82,188 |
| Peace Township | 956 | $66,667 |
| Whited Township | 897 | $56,063 |
| Kanabec Township | 854 | $93,333 |
| South Fork Township | 768 | $98,750 |
| Hillman Township, Kanabec County | 422 | $63,750 |
| Ann Lake Township | 406 | $60,000 |
| Ogilvie | 388 | $52,500 |
| Pomroy Township, Kanabec County | 376 | $71,250 |
| Hay Brook TownshipGEOID 2706527782 | 198 | $80,417 |
| Kroschel Township | 187 | $68,750 |
| Ford TownshipGEOID 2706521644 | 179 | $90,000 |
| GrasstonGEOID 2725424 | 154 | $97,500 |
| QuambaGEOID 2752756 | 107 | $50,000 |
| Braham | 1,769 | $59,375 |
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 Kanabec County?
The median resident of Kanabec County is 44.7 years old; 21.3% are under 18 and 22.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 92.7%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.6%. 1.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Kanabec County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.7±0.5 | 38.8 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.3% | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.1%±0.2 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.8% | 6.4% | +0.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 92.7%±0.3 pts | 75.9% | −2.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.3 pts | 6.9% | +0.4 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 5.1% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.6%±0.6 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.1%±0.3 pts | 8.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.0%±0.6 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.4%±0.8 pts | 5.9% | – |
| With a disability | 15.9%±1.4 pts | 11.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.6%±0.8 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.8%±1.6 pts | 93.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 15.7%±1.7 pts | 39.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.6%±1.0 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.3%±0.6 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 Kanabec County earn?
Half of Kanabec County's 6,564 households earn less than $71,460 a year (±$4,011), against $89,062 in Minnesota. In 2015-2019 it was $70,350 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 10.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Kanabec County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $71,460±$4,011 | $89,062 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $87,428±$3,696 | $118,304 | – |
| Per capita income | $35,685±$1,247 | $48,237 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 10.0%±1.6 pts | 9.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 9.4%±4.0 pts | 10.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.5%±1.6 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.8%±2.0 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 Kanabec County?
Owners occupy 84.5% of Kanabec County's occupied homes and renters 15.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $228,100 by its owner (±$5,699). The median renter pays $962 a month including utilities, and 35.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Kanabec County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $228,100±$5,699 | $329,300 | +$26,389 |
| Median gross rent | $962±$134 | $1,280 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 35.0%±7.9 pts | 38.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,631±$38 | $1,947 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 84.5%±2.0 pts | 72.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,839±36 | 2,545,030 | −92 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.8%±0.5 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.4%±5.6 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 77.3%±2.2 pts | 66.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 12.8%±1.7 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.6%±0.6 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 12.8%±1.7 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 Kanabec County building?
Builders took permits for 83 new housing units across Kanabec County in 2025 (44 single-family), 5.0 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 Kanabec County get to work?
77.5% of Kanabec County's workers drive alone and 9.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 34.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.6%.
| Measure | Kanabec County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 60.2%±1.6 pts | 68.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.6%±0.9 pts | 4.1% | +1.4 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 77.5%±2.3 pts | 68.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.4%±1.4 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.6%±0.4 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Walked | 3.5%±1.5 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.0%±1.5 pts | 17.6% | +4.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 34.3 min±1.6 | 22.7 min | +3.1 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 Kanabec County's census tracts?
Kanabec County is divided into 4 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $54,740 (Tract 4803) to $88,571 (Tract 4804).
| Tract 480127065480100 | 3,563±210 | $65,568 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 480227065480200 | 3,929±241 | $87,162 |
| Tract 480327065480300 | 4,162±144 | $54,740 |
| Tract 480427065480400 | 4,736±200 | $88,571 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Kanabec County compare with Minnesota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 52nd of 87 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 16th of 87 |
| Residents per square mile | 40th of 87 |
| Median household income | 58th of 87 |
| Median home value | 45th of 87 |
| Median gross rent | 28th of 87 |
| Poverty rate | 48th of 87 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 87th of 87 |
| Median age | 21st 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 Kanabec 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.