Willmar, Minnesota Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Willmar, Minnesota is 21,136 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 56th-largest city in Minnesota. The median household income is $63,368, the median home value is $186,000, and the median age is 35.6.
The population has grown 11.8% since 2010 (19,580 → 21,892).
21,136
Population
1485
People / sq mi
$63,368
Median Income
$186,000
Median Home Value
Willmar covers 14.2 sq mi of land at 1485 people per square mile.
About Willmar, MN
Willmar is a city in Minnesota with a population of 21,136. It ranks #56 among cities in Minnesota by population. The median age is 35.6, younger than the national median. The population is 48.0% male and 52.0% female.
The median household income in Willmar is $63,368, below the US median of $74,580. 10.9% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $186,000, with monthly rent averaging $830. The homeownership rate of 57.5% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Willmar reflects 24.5% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 7.2% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 12.9 minutes each way.
Willmar city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Willmar city had a population of 19,580 in 2010 and 21,892 in 2024, a 11.8% growth over 14 years. The peak was 21,892 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.81%.
21,892
Population (2024)
19,580
Population (2010)
21,892
Peak (2024)
0.81%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 19,580 |
| 2011 | 19,567 |
| 2012 | 19,622 |
| 2013 | 19,637 |
| 2014 | 19,606 |
| 2015 | 19,613 |
| 2016 | 19,620 |
| 2017 | 19,648 |
| 2018 | 19,701 |
| 2019 | 19,869 |
| 2020 | 21,042 |
| 2021 | 21,103 |
| 2022 | 21,324 |
| 2023 | 21,568 |
| 2024 | 21,892 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 68.4% |
| Black or African American | 10.5% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.5% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$63,368
Median Household Income
$31,501
Per Capita Income
10.9%
Poverty Rate
3.2%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$186,000
Median Home Value
$830
Median Rent
57.5%
Owner-Occupied
Education
85.7%
High School+
24.5%
Bachelor's+
Commute
1.9%
Drive Alone
75.3%
Public Transit
7.2%
Work From Home
12.9 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
18.8%
Foreign Born
75.5%
Non-English at Home
5.3%
Veterans
16.8%
With Disability
90.7%
Health Insurance
94.9%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 29.3% |
| Manufacturing | 13.9% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 9.4% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 6.3% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 5.3% |
| Construction | 4.9% |
| Retail Trade | 4.6% |
| Information | 4.0% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 3.6% |
| Public Administration | 2.9% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 0.4% |
Largest cities in Minnesota
Largest counties in Minnesota
Part of Minnesota
Metro areas in Minnesota
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Willmar, Minnesota has a population of 21,136 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 56th-largest city in Minnesota.
The median household income in Willmar, Minnesota is $63,368, with 10.9% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Willmar, Minnesota is $186,000, with median monthly rent at $830 and a homeownership rate of 57.5%.
The median age in Willmar, Minnesota is 35.6 years. The population is 48.0% male and 52.0% female.
The population has grown 11.8% since 2010 (19,580 → 21,892).
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.