Albert Lea, Minnesota Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Albert Lea, Minnesota is 18,379 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 65th-largest city in Minnesota. The median household income is $62,522, the median home value is $150,400, and the median age is 44.3.
The population has declined 0.1% since 2010 (18,174 → 18,159).
18,379
Population
1383
People / sq mi
$62,522
Median Income
$150,400
Median Home Value
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Albert Lea covers 13.3 sq mi of land at 1383 people per square mile.
About Albert Lea, MN
Housing cost is the defining feature of Albert Lea: the median home is valued at $150,400. With 18,379 residents, Albert Lea is a city in Minnesota.
Incomes run on the lower side: a median household income of $62,522, below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 6.3%, below the national 12.4%. Housing is relatively affordable, with a median home value of $150,400, with typical rent around $845.
College attainment is 17.3%, below the national 35.0%. Just 7.6% of workers are home-based, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 19 minutes each way.
Albert Lea city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Albert Lea city had a population of 18,174 in 2010 and 18,159 in 2024, a -0.1% growth over 14 years. The peak was 18,505 in 2020. Average annual growth rate: 0.00%.
18,159
Population (2024)
18,174
Population (2010)
18,505
Peak (2020)
0.00%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 18,174 |
| 2011 | 18,094 |
| 2012 | 18,071 |
| 2013 | 18,011 |
| 2014 | 17,897 |
| 2015 | 17,758 |
| 2016 | 17,790 |
| 2017 | 17,853 |
| 2018 | 17,778 |
| 2019 | 17,656 |
| 2020 | 18,505 |
| 2021 | 18,442 |
| 2022 | 18,387 |
| 2023 | 18,236 |
| 2024 | 18,159 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 80.9% |
| Black or African American | 1.9% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.6% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$62,522
Median Household Income
$37,796
Per Capita Income
6.3%
Poverty Rate
2.4%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$150,400
Median Home Value
$845
Median Rent
73.6%
Owner-Occupied
Education
87.2%
High School+
17.3%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.0%
Drive Alone
79.6%
Public Transit
7.6%
Work From Home
18.9 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
23.2%
Foreign Born
88.5%
Non-English at Home
8.3%
Veterans
15.0%
With Disability
93.5%
Health Insurance
89.3%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 23.9% |
| Manufacturing | 21.2% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 8.5% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 7.9% |
| Construction | 5.4% |
| Retail Trade | 5.3% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 4.9% |
| Information | 4.4% |
| Public Administration | 2.9% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 1.9% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.3% |
Largest cities in Minnesota
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City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Albert Lea, Minnesota has a population of 18,379 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 65th-largest city in Minnesota.
The median household income in Albert Lea, Minnesota is $62,522, with 6.3% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Albert Lea, Minnesota is $150,400, with median monthly rent at $845 and a homeownership rate of 73.6%.
The median age in Albert Lea, Minnesota is 44.3 years. The population is 49.5% male and 50.5% female.
The population has declined 0.1% since 2010 (18,174 → 18,159).
Albert Lea city, MN Climate
Albert Lea city, MN has an average annual temperature of 7°C (45°F) and receives about 792 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is July and the coldest is January. Figures are 1970–2000 climate normals.
7°C
Avg Temp
792
Precip (mm/yr)
Jul
Hottest Month
Jan
Coldest Month
| Month | Avg (°C/°F) | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| January | -11° / 13° | 20 mm |
| February | -7° / 19° | 17 mm |
| March | 0° / 31° | 48 mm |
| April | 8° / 46° | 78 mm |
| May | 15° / 58° | 94 mm |
| June | 20° / 68° | 109 mm |
| July | 22° / 72° | 103 mm |
| August | 21° / 70° | 106 mm |
| September | 16° / 61° | 84 mm |
| October | 9° / 49° | 60 mm |
| November | 0° / 32° | 47 mm |
| December | -8° / 18° | 26 mm |
1970–2000 normals from WorldClim 2.1 (~9 km grid). Precipitation can be less precise near mountains or coastlines, where rainfall varies sharply over short distances.
Best time to visit Albert Lea city, MN
The most comfortable months to visit Albert Lea city, MN are typically August, July and June, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low. The hottest month is July (around 28°C high). The coldest is January (near -16°C low). June is usually the wettest month.
Where to stay near Albert Lea
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.