County · Minnesota
Otter Tail County, Minnesota
Otter Tail County, Minnesota. Otter Tail County had 61,041 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.6% since 2020, slower than Minnesota (+2.2%). It holds 84 places (22 cities, villages and boroughs and 62 towns and townships) and 17 census tracts. GEOID 27111.
Otter Tail County is the county of the Fergus Falls, MN micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
61,041
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 60,081 · ACS 2020-2024: 60,475
Median household income
$72,255
±$2,093 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $89,062
Median home value
$273,000
±$6,397 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $329,300
Median gross rent
$868
±$63 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $1,280
How many people live in Otter Tail County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 60,081 residents in Otter Tail County. The Census Bureau estimates 61,041 for July 1, 2025, up 1.6% since 2020, slower than Minnesota (+2.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 60,475 over 1,972 square miles of land.
| Measure | Otter Tail County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 60,475 | 5,739,445 | +2,280 |
| Households | 25,157±375 | 2,307,955 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.35±0.03 | 2.43 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 36,698±91 | 2,545,030 | +505 |
Otter Tail County's population since 2000
From 57,159 in 2000 to 61,041 in 2025: up 6.8%. 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 Otter Tail County?
Otter Tail County holds 84 places: 22 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 62 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government). The largest is Fergus Falls with 14,246 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Fergus Falls | 14,119 | $56,162 |
|---|---|---|
| Perham | 3,512 | $49,716 |
| Pelican Rapids | 2,577 | $63,917 |
| Aurdal Township | 1,540 | $123,229 |
| New York Mills | 1,294 | $56,875 |
| Rush Lake Township | 1,035 | $75,000 |
| Parkers Prairie | 1,020 | $57,578 |
| Perham Township | 977 | $103,558 |
| Dunn Township | 929 | $78,527 |
| Edna Township | 905 | $121,071 |
| Dane Prairie Township | 883 | $117,708 |
| Battle Lake | 857 | $59,375 |
| Henning | 854 | $45,500 |
| Elizabeth Township | 843 | $108,750 |
| Newton Township | 815 | $84,583 |
| Friberg Township | 800 | $84,750 |
| Compton Township | 798 | $74,196 |
| Hobart Township | 798 | $93,667 |
| Lida Township | 780 | $96,250 |
| Pine Lake Township, Otter Tail County | 773 | $94,792 |
| Everts Township | 759 | $102,933 |
| Fergus Falls Township | 747 | $100,074 |
| Girard Township | 715 | $91,000 |
| Dora Township | 697 | $92,333 |
| Maine Township | 665 | $90,000 |
| Sverdrup Township | 646 | $72,250 |
| Leaf Lake Township | 637 | $84,375 |
| Ottertail | 629 | $80,500 |
| Corliss Township | 625 | $101,250 |
| Candor Township | 621 | $81,250 |
| Otter Tail Township | 602 | $100,179 |
| Otto Township | 600 | $86,429 |
| Pelican Township, Otter Tail County | 574 | $96,500 |
| Scambler Township | 568 | $112,292 |
| Dead Lake Township | 535 | $85,000 |
| Tordenskjold Township | 527 | $84,125 |
| Gorman Township | 511 | $103,750 |
| Clitherall Township | 495 | $78,571 |
| Amor Township | 481 | $62,847 |
| Buse Township | 474 | $92,500 |
| Bluffton Township | 460 | $85,063 |
| Star Lake Township | 446 | $64,375 |
| Erhards Grove Township | 411 | $80,875 |
| Tumuli Township | 407 | $99,792 |
| Deer Creek Township | 400 | $83,750 |
| Homestead Township | 399 | $107,778 |
| Eagle Lake Township | 397 | $99,583 |
| St. Olaf Township | 395 | $76,250 |
| Parkers Prairie Township | 390 | $106,250 |
| Henning Township | 389 | $78,750 |
| Oak Valley Township | 363 | $65,000 |
| Blowers TownshipGEOID 2711106652 | 360 | $68,750 |
| Underwood | 356 | $75,000 |
| Nidaros Township | 356 | $78,125 |
| Vergas | 348 | $72,917 |
| Norwegian Grove TownshipGEOID 2711147482 | 340 | $71,250 |
| Deer Creek | 330 | $52,273 |
| Paddock Township | 327 | $73,750 |
| Elmo Township | 323 | $66,964 |
| Leaf Mountain Township | 322 | $107,628 |
| Maplewood Township | 294 | $70,417 |
| Inman Township | 293 | $73,750 |
| Folden Township | 289 | $66,667 |
| Butler TownshipGEOID 2711108974 | 256 | $108,750 |
| Eastern TownshipGEOID 2711117576 | 254 | $88,250 |
| Woodside Township, Otter Tail County | 252 | $76,250 |
| Effington TownshipGEOID 2711118278 | 237 | $95,625 |
| DaltonGEOID 2714626 | 215 | $68,659 |
| BlufftonGEOID 2706778 | 210 | $100,417 |
| Oscar Township | 208 | $115,000 |
| Rothsay | 498 | $86,250 |
| Aastad TownshipGEOID 2711100100 | 191 | $135,250 |
| Carlisle TownshipGEOID 2711109946 | 178 | $113,750 |
| Trondhjem TownshipGEOID 2711165524 | 177 | $78,750 |
| DentGEOID 2715724 | 173 | $52,500 |
| ElizabethGEOID 2718566 | 168 | $63,333 |
| Orwell TownshipGEOID 2711148742 | 144 | $91,154 |
| ErhardGEOID 2719556 | 132 | $63,125 |
| Western TownshipGEOID 2711169430 | 117 | $103,333 |
| Wadena | 4,325 | $56,080 |
| RichvilleGEOID 2754340 | 77 | $56,250 |
| ClitherallGEOID 2712088 | 62 | $57,750 |
| ViningGEOID 2767216 | 62 | not published |
| UrbankGEOID 2766388 | 52 | $71,250 |
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 Otter Tail County?
The median resident of Otter Tail County is 46.2 years old; 21.7% are under 18 and 25.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 90.5%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 4.0%. 3.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Otter Tail County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.2±0.3 | 38.8 | −0.6 |
| Under 18 years | 21.7% | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 25.4%±0.1 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.0% | 6.4% | +0.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 90.5%±0.3 pts | 75.9% | −2.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.2 pts | 6.9% | −0.3 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.2 pts | 5.1% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 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 | 3.3%±0.4 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.0%±0.4 pts | 8.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.6%±0.5 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.0%±0.6 pts | 5.9% | – |
| With a disability | 14.5%±0.9 pts | 11.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.6%±0.7 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.4%±0.6 pts | 93.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 28.3%±1.3 pts | 39.4% | +3.4 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.4%±0.8 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.7%±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 Otter Tail County earn?
Half of Otter Tail County's 25,157 households earn less than $72,255 a year (±$2,093), against $89,062 in Minnesota. In 2015-2019 it was $72,220 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 8.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Otter Tail County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $72,255±$2,093 | $89,062 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $92,523±$2,197 | $118,304 | – |
| Per capita income | $39,580±$838 | $48,237 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 8.7%±0.9 pts | 9.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 8.6%±1.8 pts | 10.3% | −2.8 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.5%±0.9 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.7%±1.0 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 Otter Tail County?
Owners occupy 79.5% of Otter Tail County's occupied homes and renters 20.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $273,000 by its owner (±$6,397). The median renter pays $868 a month including utilities, and 33.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Otter Tail County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $273,000±$6,397 | $329,300 | +$40,276 |
| Median gross rent | $868±$63 | $1,280 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 33.9%±5.1 pts | 38.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,594±$34 | $1,947 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 79.5%±1.5 pts | 72.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 36,698±91 | 2,545,030 | +505 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6%±0.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.6%±2.9 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 80.9%±1.2 pts | 66.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 6.4%±0.6 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.1%±0.2 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 15.5%±1.0 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 Otter Tail County building?
Builders took permits for 72 new housing units across Otter Tail County in 2025 (60 single-family), 1.2 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 Otter Tail County get to work?
75.3% of Otter Tail County's workers drive alone and 10.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.8%.
| Measure | Otter Tail County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 60.8%±0.9 pts | 68.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8%±0.8 pts | 4.1% | +1.7 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 75.3%±1.2 pts | 68.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.9%±1.0 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.8%±0.4 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Walked | 2.9%±0.7 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.4%±0.8 pts | 17.6% | +3.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.7 min±0.7 | 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 Otter Tail County's census tracts?
Otter Tail County is divided into 17 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $51,345 (Tract 9609) to $106,458 (Tract 9617).
| Tract 9601.0227111960102 | 2,706±162 | $89,250 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9601.0327111960103 | 2,161±175 | $86,477 |
| Tract 960327111960300 | 3,408±143 | $68,125 |
| Tract 960427111960400 | 2,337±243 | $99,674 |
| Tract 960527111960500 | 5,753±385 | $59,574 |
| Tract 960627111960600 | 4,635±247 | $71,786 |
| Tract 960727111960700 | 2,700±168 | $73,548 |
| Tract 960827111960800 | 3,221±193 | $98,629 |
| Tract 960927111960900 | 5,460±385 | $51,345 |
| Tract 961027111961000 | 5,297±513 | $57,829 |
| Tract 961127111961100 | 4,970±382 | $72,591 |
| Tract 961227111961200 | 2,265±152 | $74,286 |
| Tract 961327111961300 | 4,264±236 | $71,571 |
| Tract 961427111961400 | 2,482±173 | $80,078 |
| Tract 961527111961500 | 3,387±294 | $71,571 |
| Tract 961627111961600 | 2,321±229 | $83,516 |
| Tract 961727111961700 | 3,108±190 | $106,458 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Otter Tail County compare with Minnesota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 17th of 87 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 34th of 87 |
| Residents per square mile | 41st of 87 |
| Median household income | 55th of 87 |
| Median home value | 24th of 87 |
| Median gross rent | 53rd of 87 |
| Poverty rate | 60th of 87 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28th of 87 |
| Median age | 13th 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 Otter Tail 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.