Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Fosston, MN Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

1,374

Median Agei

41.6

Race & Ethnicityi

White

92.5%1,271

Two or More

4.2%58

Hispanic/Latino

2%27

American Indian/Alaska Native

1.3%18

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

3.1%31

High School Diploma

32.1%324

Some College (<1 yr)

7.8%79

Some College (1+ yr)

12.1%122

Associate's Degree

8.5%86

Bachelor's Degree

12.6%127

Master's Degree

7.3%74

Professional Degree

0.6%6

Doctorate

0.2%2

HS or Higher

84.4%

BA or Higher

20.7%

Graduate+

8.1%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$151,700

Median Renti

$790

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

55.3%334

Renter-Occupied

44.7%270

Total Units

643

Homeownership

55.3%

Vacancy Rate

6.1%

Home Values

Under $50K

6.3%21

$50K–$100K

21.9%73

$100K–$150K

20.7%69

$150K–$200K

27.5%92

$200K–$300K

17.1%57

$300K–$500K

6%20

$500K–$1M

0.6%2

Rent Distribution

Under $500

$500–$750

$750–$1,000

$1,000–$1,250

$1,250–$1,500

$1,500–$2,000

$2,000+

Year Built

2010–2019

3.6%23

2000–2009

6.2%40

1990–1999

3.9%25

1980–1989

12%77

1970–1979

16%103

1960–1969

16.3%105

1950–1959

12.4%80

1940–1949

5.8%37

1939 or earlier

23.8%153

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

61.4%371

Electricity

26.2%158

Fuel Oil

6.3%38

No Fuel

3.8%23

Bottled/LP Gas

1.3%8

Wood

0.5%3

Other

0.5%3

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$52,500

Mean Household Incomei

$60,022

Per Capita Incomei

$28,204

Poverty Ratei

23.7%

Unemploymenti

10%

Labor Forcei

602

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

9.4%57

$10K–$15K

8.4%51

$15K–$20K

4.8%29

$20K–$25K

5.1%31

$25K–$30K

8.4%51

$30K–$35K

2.6%16

$35K–$40K

2.2%13

$40K–$45K

4%24

$45K–$50K

2%12

$50K–$60K

11.9%72

$60K–$75K

12.3%74

$75K–$100K

13.6%82

$100K–$125K

5.1%31

$125K–$150K

5.3%32

$150K–$200K

3%18

$200K+

1.8%11

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

Residentsi

101

Avg. Tenant Renti

$327/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

87 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing13 homes93% occupied$301/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers61 homes85% occupied$332/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $52,500/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $16K/yr

90.4%

Very low income$16K–$26K/yr

9.6%

Who Receives This Housing

73.4% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

12.9% of subsidized households are minority

29.4% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

44.2% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

10.1%

Top Countries

Canada

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

513

Avg. Commutei

14.6 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

542

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

56(5.3% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

97%Insured

3%Uninsured