Brainerd, MN

Census Place

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2024 Population
14,468
US Senator
Amy Klobuchar
Democratic(DFL) Party
US Senator
Tina Smith
Democratic(DFL) Party
2024 Median Age
35.1
2.77% 1-year decrease
2024 Poverty Rate
15%
10.3% 1-year decrease
2024 Median Household Income
$56,111
4.48% 1-year growth
2024 Median Property Value
$192,500
7.78% 1-year growth
2024 Employed Population
6,758
1.07% 1-year decline

About

None of the households in Brainerd, MN reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

99.4% of the residents in Brainerd, MN are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Brainerd, MN are Central Lakes College-Brainerd (876 degrees awarded in 2023).

In 2024, the median property value in Brainerd, MN was $192,500, and the homeownership rate was 56.5%.

Most people in Brainerd, MN drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 19.8 minutes. The average car ownership in Brainerd, MN was 2 cars per household.

United StatesMinnesotaCrow Wing County, MNBrainerd, MNCrow Wing, Morrison, Todd & Wadena Counties PUMA, MN

Population & Diversity

Brainerd, MN is home to a population of 14.5k people, from which 99.4% are citizens. As of 2024, 1.02% of Brainerd, MN residents were born outside of the country (148 people).

In 2024, there were 51.3 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (13.2k people) in Brainerd, MN than any other race or ethnicity. There were 258 Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) and 198 American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

99.4%
2024 Citizenship
99.4%
2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 99.4% of Brainerd, MN residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Brainerd, MN was 99.4%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Brainerd, MN compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Brainerd, MN
  1. White (Non-Hispanic)
    13.2k ± 261
  2. Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
    258 ± 99
  3. American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic)
    198 ± 96
3.08%
Hispanic Population
446 people

In 2024, there were 51.3 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (13.2k people) in Brainerd, MN than any other race or ethnicity. There were 258 Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) and 198 American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

3.08% of the people in Brainerd, MN are hispanic (446 people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Brainerd, MN as a share of the total population.

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Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Minnesota.
Most Common Origin
  1. Mexico
    58,764 ± 5,921 people
  2. Somalia
    36,253 ± 4,660 people
  3. India
    31,836 ± 4,368 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Minnesota was Mexico, the natal country of 58,764 Minnesota residents, followed by Somalia with 36,253 and India with 31,836.

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Foreign-Born Population

1.02%
2024 Foreign-Born Population
148 people
1.13%
2023 Foreign-Born Population
163 people

As of 2024, 1.02% of Brainerd, MN residents (148 people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Brainerd, MN was 1.13%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Brainerd, MN compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period
  1. Vietnam
    157 ± 78
  2. Gulf War (2001-)
    155 ± 81
  3. Gulf War (1990s)
    70 ± 61

Brainerd, MN has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.01 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Brainerd, MN.

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Economy

The economy of Brainerd, MN employs 6.76k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Brainerd, MN were Health Care & Social Assistance (1,506 people), Retail Trade (999 people), and Manufacturing (729 people), and the highest paying industries were Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($82,813), Public Administration ($76,705), and Wholesale Trade ($68,125).

Employment

Occupations

6.76k
2024 Value
± 639
−1.07%
1 Year decline
± 13.1%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Brainerd, MN declined at a rate of −1.07%, from 6.83k employees to 6.76k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Brainerd, MN, are Sales & Related Occupations (695 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (681 people), and Healthcare Support Occupations (563 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Brainerd, MN.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Minnesota.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Minnesota (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

6.76k
2024 Value
± 639
−1.07%
1 Year decline
± 13.1%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Brainerd, MN declined at a rate of −1.07%, from 6.83k employees to 6.76k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Brainerd, MN, are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,506 people), Retail Trade (999 people), and Manufacturing (729 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Brainerd, MN, though some of these residents may live in Brainerd, MN and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Median Earnings by Industry

$45,212
Median earning men ± $3,612
$34,469
Median earning women ± $4,465

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($80,556), Wholesale Trade ($71,250), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($70,714).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($75,795), Information ($54,519), and Construction ($49,764).

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Minnesota.
Y-Axis
2.26%
Year-over-year growth
Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 2.93M people employed in Minnesota. This represents a 2.26% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 13.4%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Minnesota.

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Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Minnesota went to Kamala Harris with 50.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (46.7%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.738%).

Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith are the senators currently representing the state of Minnesota. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Minnesota is currently represented by 8 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Voting results are not available for Brainerd, MN. Showing the available data for Minnesota.
2024 Election Results
  1. Kamala Harris (50.9%)
    Democratic Party
  2. Donald J. Trump (46.7%)
    Republican Party
  3. Robert Kennedy (0.738%)
    Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Minnesota went to Kamala Harris with 50.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (46.7%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.738%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Minnesota for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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Senator Elections

US Senators from Minnesota

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Minnesota.
Amy Klobuchar
Senator from Minnesota1
Assumed office on January 3, 2007
The Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL) is the Minnesota affiliate of the U.S. Democratic Party and its members are counted as Democrats.
Tina Smith
Senator from Minnesota2
Assumed office on January 3, 2018
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Al Franken.

Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith are the senators currently representing Minnesota.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Minnesota over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

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Education

In 2023, universities in Brainerd, MN awarded 876 degrees. The student population of Brainerd, MN in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 1,923 male students and 2,609 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Brainerd, MN are White (780 and 89.2%), Two or More Races (29 and 3.32%), Hispanic or Latino (23 and 2.63%), and Black or African American (18 and 2.06%).

The largest universities in Brainerd, MN by number of degrees awarded are Central Lakes College-Brainerd (876 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Brainerd, MN are Liberal Arts & Sciences (313 and 35.7%), Registered Nursing (82 and 9.36%), and Farm & Ranch Management (64 and 7.31%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2023 there were 4,532 students enrolled in Brainerd, MN, 42.4% men and 57.6% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 3,712 records, of which 58.1% were women and 41.9% men.

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Completions

Concentrations

Most Common
  1. Registered Nursing
    82 degrees awarded
  2. Criminal Justice - Police Science
    10 degrees awarded
  3. Liberal Arts & Sciences
    298 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Brainerd, MN was Registered Nursing with 82 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Brainerd, MN according to their major.

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Universities

Gender
Race
Central Lakes College-Brainerd
Largest Universities by degrees awarded
876 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Central Lakes College-Brainerd with 876 degrees awarded.

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Student Diversity

In 2023, 396 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Brainerd, MN, which is 0.825 times less than the 480 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 780 degrees mean that there were 26.9 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Two or More Races, with 29 degrees awarded.

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Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

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Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Public, 2-year ($5,424) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($785) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($1,000) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Brainerd, MN was $192,500 in 2024, which is 0.579 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $178,600 to $192,500, a 7.78% increase. The homeownership rate in Brainerd, MN is 56.5%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Brainerd, MN have an average commute time of 19.8 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Brainerd, MN is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$192,500
Median Property Value 2024
±$13,543
$3,588
Median Property Taxes
±$424

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Brainerd, MN the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Brainerd, MN compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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Rent vs Own

56.5%
Homeownership
2024
60.7%
Homeowners with Mortgage
2024

In 2024, 56.5% of the housing units in Brainerd, MN were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 57%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Brainerd, MN compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
$56,111
Median Household Income
± $6,610
6.35k
Number of Households
± 612

In 2024, the median household income of the 6.35k households in Brainerd, MN grew to $56,111 from the previous year's value of $53,705.

The following chart displays the households in Brainerd, MN distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Brainerd, MN is from Minnesota.
0.454
2023 Wage GINI in Minnesota
0.458
2022 Wage GINI in Minnesota

In 2023, the income inequality in Minnesota was 0.454 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.78% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Minnesota was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Minnesota in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Minnesota across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024
  1. Drove Alone (72.5%)
  2. Carpooled (13.1%)
  3. Worked At Home (7.54%)

In 2024, 72.5% of workers in Brainerd, MN drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (13.1%) and those who worked at home (7.54%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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Commute Time

19.8 minutes
Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Brainerd, MN have a shorter commute time (19.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 2.68% of the workforce in Brainerd, MN have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Brainerd, MN compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Car Ownership

2 cars
Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Brainerd, MN distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Brainerd, MN have 2 cars.

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Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

15% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Brainerd, MN (2.1k out of 14k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 25 - 34, followed by Males < 5 and then Females 75+.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Brainerd, MN is White, followed by Other and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Health

94.2% of the population of Brainerd, MN has health coverage, with 35% on employee plans, 30.4% on Medicaid, 12.1% on Medicare, 15% on non-group plans, and 1.75% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Minnesota see 1,134 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,134 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1287 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 278 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46% were men and 54% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 23.2% under 18 years, 27.6% between 18 and 34 years, 32.5% between 35 and 64 years, and 16.7% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46% were men and 54% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

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Uninsured People

5.79%
Uninsured
35%
Employer Coverage
30.4%
Medicaid
12.1%
Medicare
15%
Non-Group
1.75%
Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Brainerd, MN declined by 15% from 6.81% to 5.79%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Brainerd, MN changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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