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
Albert Lea covers 13.3 sq mi of land at 1383 people per square mile.
About Albert Lea, MN
Albert Lea is a city in Minnesota with a population of 18,379. It ranks #65 among cities in Minnesota by population. The median age is 44.3, older than the national median. The population is 49.5% male and 50.5% female.
The median household income in Albert Lea is $62,522, below the US median of $74,580. 6.3% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $150,400, with monthly rent averaging $845. The homeownership rate of 73.6% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Albert Lea reflects 17.3% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 7.6% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 18.9 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
Largest counties in Minnesota
Part of Minnesota
Metro areas in Minnesota
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).
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Population, race, income, age, and trends across Minnesota
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.