County · Minnesota
Lake County, Minnesota
Lake County, Minnesota. Lake County had 10,746 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.5% since 2020, while Minnesota grew 2.2%. It holds 10 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs, 5 towns and townships and 2 census-designated) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 27075.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
10,746
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 10,905 · ACS 2020-2024: 10,879
Median household income
$75,541
±$4,705 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $89,062
Median home value
$241,300
±$10,335 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $329,300
Median gross rent
$1,093
±$57 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $1,280
How many people live in Lake County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 10,905 residents in Lake County. The Census Bureau estimates 10,746 for July 1, 2025, down 1.5% since 2020, while Minnesota grew 2.2%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 10,879 over 2,109 square miles of land.
| Measure | Lake County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 10,879 | 5,739,445 | +319 |
| Households | 4,942±177 | 2,307,955 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.15±0.08 | 2.43 | +0.17 |
| Housing units | 7,449±39 | 2,545,030 | −326 |
Lake County's population since 2000
From 11,058 in 2000 to 10,746 in 2025: down 2.8%. 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 Lake County?
Lake County holds 10 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 5 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Two Harbors with 3,443 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Two Harbors | 3,633 | $65,625 |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Bay | 1,857 | $69,489 |
| Silver Creek Township, Lake County | 1,192 | $87,564 |
| Fall Lake Township | 630 | $101,250 |
| Beaver Bay Township | 517 | $75,556 |
| Crystal Bay Township | 435 | $70,625 |
| FinlandGEOID 2721104 | 215 | $53,500 |
| Knife RiverGEOID 2733578 | 212 | $78,208 |
| Stony River Township | 172 | $79,167 |
| Beaver BayGEOID 2704456 | 120 | $36,875 |
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 Lake County?
The median resident of Lake County is 49.4 years old; 19.1% are under 18 and 27.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 94.3%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.0%. 1.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Lake County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 49.4±0.5 | 38.8 | −1.4 |
| Under 18 years | 19.1%±0.2 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 27.9%±0.4 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.5% | 6.4% | +0.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 94.3%±0.5 pts | 75.9% | −1.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 6.9% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.3 pts | 5.1% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.4 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 | 3.0%±0.7 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.3%±0.5 pts | 8.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.5%±0.6 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.8%±1.2 pts | 5.9% | – |
| With a disability | 16.6%±2.2 pts | 11.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.9%±1.4 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.8%±1.7 pts | 93.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 26.8%±2.5 pts | 39.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 10.0%±1.7 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.0%±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 Lake County earn?
Half of Lake County's 4,942 households earn less than $75,541 a year (±$4,705), against $89,062 in Minnesota. In 2015-2019 it was $75,629 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 8.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Lake County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $75,541±$4,705 | $89,062 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $89,384±$4,686 | $118,304 | – |
| Per capita income | $41,362±$2,179 | $48,237 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 8.6%±1.8 pts | 9.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 7.9%±3.7 pts | 10.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.6%±2.3 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.6%±2.6 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 Lake County?
Owners occupy 83.5% of Lake County's occupied homes and renters 16.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $241,300 by its owner (±$10,335). The median renter pays $1,093 a month including utilities, and 35.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Lake County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $241,300±$10,335 | $329,300 | +$26,298 |
| Median gross rent | $1,093±$57 | $1,280 | +$278 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 35.4%±12.4 pts | 38.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,569±$102 | $1,947 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 83.5%±2.7 pts | 72.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,449±39 | 2,545,030 | −326 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.3%±5.6 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 86.3%±2.1 pts | 66.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.7%±1.0 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 16.3%±2.7 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 Lake County building?
Builders took permits for 83 new housing units across Lake County in 2025 (83 single-family), 7.7 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 Lake County get to work?
74.9% of Lake County's workers drive alone and 13.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.6%.
| Measure | Lake County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 55.0%±2.4 pts | 68.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.6%±1.2 pts | 4.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 74.9%±3.4 pts | 68.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.6%±2.4 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Walked | 3.2%±1.5 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 13.2%±2.5 pts | 17.6% | +6.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.8 min±2.0 | 22.7 min | +3.6 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 Lake County's census tracts?
Lake County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $66,199 (Tract 3704) to $88,966 (Tract 3701.02).
| Tract 3701.0127075370101 | 1,998±192 | $82,969 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 3701.0227075370102 | 2,782±252 | $88,966 |
| Tract 370327075370300 | 2,298±195 | $69,844 |
| Tract 370427075370400 | 3,801±68 | $66,199 |
| Tract 990127075990100 | 0±10 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Lake County compare with Minnesota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 66th of 87 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 69th of 87 |
| Residents per square mile | 82nd of 87 |
| Median household income | 37th of 87 |
| Median home value | 39th of 87 |
| Median gross rent | 14th of 87 |
| Poverty rate | 62nd of 87 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34th of 87 |
| Median age | 6th 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 Lake 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.