Brainerd, MN

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2021 Population

95,796

1.65% 1-year growth

US Senator

Amy Klobuchar

Democratic
(DFL) Party

US Senator

Tina Smith

Democratic
(DFL) Party

2021 Median Age

46.1

0% 1-year change

2021 Poverty Rate

10.9%

0.143% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$59,647

5.31% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$213,900

3.58% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

43,521

0.487% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Brainerd, MN had a population of 95.8k people with a median age of 46.1 and a median household income of $59,647. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Brainerd, MN grew from 94,237 to 95,796, a 1.65% increase and its median household income grew from $56,641 to $59,647, a 5.31% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Brainerd, MN are White (Non-Hispanic) (90%), American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) (3.52%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.25%), White (Hispanic) (0.961%), and Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (0.591%).

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.

99.6% 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 2021) and Leech Lake Tribal College (32 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Brainerd, MN was $213,900, and the homeownership rate was 78.8%.

Most people in Brainerd, MN drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 22.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Brainerd, MN was 2 cars per household.

Brainerd, MN borders Bemidji, MN, Grand Rapids, MN, and Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI.

United States Minnesota

Population & Diversity

Brainerd, MN is home to a population of 95.8k people, from which 99.6% are citizens. As of 2021, 1.21% of Brainerd, MN residents were born outside of the country (1.16k people).

In 2021, there were 25.6 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (86.2k people) in Brainerd, MN than any other race or ethnicity. There were 3.37k American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) and 3.12k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

99.6%

2021 Citizenship

99.7%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 99.6% of Brainerd, MN residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Brainerd, MN was 99.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Brainerd, MN

White (Non-Hispanic)
86.2k ± 207
American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic)
3.37k ± 199
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
3.12k ± 320

1.83%

Hispanic Population

1.75k people

1.83% of the people in Brainerd, MN are hispanic (1.75k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Brainerd, MN as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for Minnesota.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
55,478 ± 5,754 people
Somalia
39,298 ± 4,850 people
India
30,033 ± 4,243 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Minnesota was Mexico, the natal country of 55,478 Minnesota residents, followed by Somalia with 39,298 and India with 30,033.

Foreign-Born Population

1.21%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

1.16k people

1.2%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

1.13k people

As of 2021, 1.21% of Brainerd, MN residents (1.16k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Brainerd, MN was 1.2%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
3,156 ± 193
Gulf War (2001-)
1,144 ± 165
Korea
578 ± 78

Brainerd, MN has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.76 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Brainerd, MN employs 43.5k people. The largest industries in Brainerd, MN are Health Care & Social Assistance (7,412 people), Retail Trade (5,716 people), and Manufacturing (4,307 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($102,167), Utilities ($86,042), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($61,957).

Males in Minnesota have an average income that is 1.29 times higher than the average income of females, which is $62,287. The income inequality in Minnesota (measured using the Gini index) is 0.459, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

43.5k

2021 Value

± 1,081

−0.487%

1 Year decline

± 3.56%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Brainerd, MN declined at a rate of −0.487%, from 43.7k employees to 43.5k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Brainerd, MN, are Sales & Related Occupations (4,721 people), Management Occupations (4,561 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (4,526 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Brainerd, MN.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

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

43.5k

2021 Value

± 1,081

−0.487%

1 Year decline

± 3.56%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Brainerd, MN declined at a rate of −0.487%, from 43.7k employees to 43.5k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Brainerd, MN, are Health Care & Social Assistance (7,412 people), Retail Trade (5,716 people), and Manufacturing (4,307 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.

Median Earnings by Industry

$42,635

Median earning men ± $1,150

$30,756

Median earning women ± $895

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Public Administration ($57,315), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($56,192), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($53,915).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Public Administration ($49,648), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($41,893), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($39,120).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Minnesota. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

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

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

904
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
665
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
662
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$766k
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$496k
Manufacturing
$289k
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Minnesota to other states, or from other states to Minnesota.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Minnesota product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $28.4B, followed by Electronics ($26.2B) and Precision instruments ($23.9B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Minnesota products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Minnesota.

$333B

2020 Value in Minnesota

$636B

Projected 2050 Value in Minnesota

91% growth

In 2020, total outbound Minnesota trade was $333B. This is expected to increase 91% to $636B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Minnesota trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Minnesota to other states, or from other states to Minnesota.

Most Common Trade Partners

Wisconsin
$25.1B
Iowa
$14.8B
Illinois
$14B

In 2020, the top outbound Minnesota domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Wisconsin with $25.1B, followed by Iowa with $14.8B and Illinois and $14B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Minnesota shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Minnesota went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 52.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (45.3%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.07%).

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

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Brainerd, MN. Showing the available data for Minnesota.

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (52.4%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (45.3%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.07%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Minnesota went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 52.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (45.3%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.07%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Minnesota for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Minnesota

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Minnesota.

Amy Klobuchar

Senator from Minnesota

Assumed office on January 3, 2007
The Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL) is the Minnesota affiliate of the Democratic Party (United States)|U.S. Democratic Party and its members are counted as Democrats.

Tina Smith

Senator from Minnesota

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.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Minnesota

Minnesota is currently represented by 8 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Minnesota have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Brainerd, MN awarded 908 degrees. The student population of Brainerd, MN in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 1,884 male students and 2,720 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Brainerd, MN are White (802 and 88.5%), followed by American Indian or Alaska Native (33 and 3.64%), Two or More Races (21 and 2.32%), and Hispanic or Latino (19 and 2.1%).

The largest universities in Brainerd, MN by number of degrees awarded are Central Lakes College-Brainerd (876 and 96.5%) and Leech Lake Tribal College (32 and 3.52%).

The most popular majors in Brainerd, MN are Liberal Arts & Sciences (327 and 36%), Construction, Heavy, & Earth-Moving Equipment Operation (80 and 8.81%), and Registered Nursing (75 and 8.26%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2021 there were 4,604 students enrolled in Brainerd, MN, 40.9% men and 59.1% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 3,774 records, of which 59.7% were women and 40.3% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Liberal Arts & Sciences
327 degree-majors awarded
Registered Nursing
75 degree-majors awarded
General Business Administration & Management
19 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Brainerd, MN was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 327 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Central Lakes College-Brainerd
876 degrees awarded
Leech Lake Tribal College
32 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Central Lakes College-Brainerd with 876 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2021, 421 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Brainerd, MN, which is 0.864 times less than the 487 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 802 degrees mean that there were 24.3 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, American Indian or Alaska Native, with 33 degrees awarded.

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.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Public, 2-year ($4,468) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($472) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,090) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

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

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

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

Measure

In 2021, 0.858% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.954% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

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

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (1.07M), Bachelors Degree (1.02M), and Some college (978k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Brainerd, MN was $213,900 in 2021, which is 0.873 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $206,500 to $213,900, a 3.58% increase. The homeownership rate in Brainerd, MN is 78.8%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Brainerd, MN have an average commute time of 22.7 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.

Median household income in Brainerd, MN is $59,647. In 2021, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Brainerd, MN was Scott County, MN with a value of $109,031, followed by Carver County, MN and Washington County, MN, with respective values of $107,890 and $102,258.

Housing

Property

$213,900

Median Property Value 2021

±$4,351

$31,508

Median Property Taxes

±$768

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 $800 - $1,499 range.

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

Rent vs Own

78.8%

Homeownership

2021

66.5%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 78.8% of the housing units in Brainerd, MN were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 77.7%.

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

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2021, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Brainerd, MN was Scott County, MN with a value of $109,031, followed by Carver County, MN and Washington County, MN, with respective values of $107,890 and $102,258.

The following map shows all of the counties in Brainerd, MN colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$59,647

Median Household Income

± $1,399

40k

Number of Households

± 993

In 2021, the median household income of the 40k households in Brainerd, MN grew to $59,647 from the previous year's value of $56,641.

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.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Brainerd, MN is from Minnesota.

0.459

2021 Wage GINI in Minnesota

0.458

2020 Wage GINI in Minnesota

In 2021, the income inequality in Minnesota was 0.459 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.234% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Minnesota was lower than than the national average of 0.478. 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.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (77.3%)
Carpooled (9.74%)
Worked At Home (8.52%)

In 2021, 77.3% of workers in Brainerd, MN drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.74%) and those who worked at home (8.52%).

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.

Commute Time

22.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Brainerd, MN have a shorter commute time (22.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 3.13% 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.

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.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

10.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Brainerd, MN (10.3k out of 94.4k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 55 - 64, followed by Males 55 - 64 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Brainerd, MN is White, followed by Native American 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.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

93.6% of the population of Brainerd, MN has health coverage, with 38.6% on employee plans, 20.7% on Medicaid, 17.7% on Medicare, 14.3% on non-group plans, and 2.17% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Minnesota see 1102 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.34% decrease from the previous year (1117 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1322 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 343 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

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

1,102 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Minnesota

Primary care physicians in Minnesota see an average of 1,102 patients per year. This represents a 1.34% decrease from the previous year (1,117 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Minnesota in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 22.7% under 18 years, 15.6% between 18 and 34 years, 38.4% between 35 and 64 years, and 23.2% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50% were men and 50% were women.

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

Uninsured People

6.41%

Uninsured

38.6%

Employer Coverage

20.7%

Medicaid

17.7%

Medicare

14.3%

Non-Group

2.17%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Brainerd, MN grew by 12.8% from 5.69% to 6.41%.

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.