Brainerd, MN
Demographics And Statistics

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-25

Living In Brainerd, Minnesota Summary

Life in Brainerd research summary. HomeSnacks has been using Saturday Night Science to research the quality of life in Brainerd over the past nine years using Census, FBI, Zillow, and other primary data sources. Based on the most recently available data, we found the following about life in Brainerd:

  • The population in Brainerd is 14,474.

  • The median home value in Brainerd is $304,542.

  • The median income in Brainerd is $53,705.

  • The cost of living in Brainerd is 95 which is 0.9x lower than the national average.

  • The median rent in Brainerd is $848.

  • The unemployment rate in Brainerd is 8.1%.

  • The poverty rate in Brainerd is 16.7%.

  • The average high in Brainerd is 52.2° and the average low is 30.6°.

Brainerd SnackAbility

5
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
5/10
Housing
6
Affordability
5
Diversity
5
Safety
4
Amenities
8
Education
6
Commute
9

Brainerd, MN Crime Report

Crime in Brainerd summary. We use data from the FBI to determine the crime rates in Brainerd. Key points include:

  • There were 409 total crimes in Brainerd in the last reporting year.

  • The overall crime rate per 100,000 people in Brainerd is 2,788.8 / 100k people.

  • The violent crime rate per 100,000 people in Brainerd is 572.8 / 100k people.

  • The property crime rate per 100,000 people in Brainerd is 2,216.0 / 100k people.

  • Overall, crime in Brainerd is 31.59% above the national average.

409
Total Crimes
31.59%
Above National Average

Crime In Brainerd Comparison Table

Statistic Count
Raw
Brainerd
/ 100k People
Minnesota
/ 100k People
National
/ 100k People
Total Crimes Per 100K 409 2,788.8 1,862.9 2,119.2
Violent Crime 84 572.8 256.6 359.0
Murder 0 0.0 2.9 5.0
Robbery 2 13.6 48.9 61.0
Aggravated Assault 61 415.9 168.0 256.0
Property Crime 325 2,216.0 1,606.3 1,760.0
Burglary 52 354.6 184.7 229.0
Larceny 253 1,725.1 1,208.5 1,272.0
Car Theft 20 136.4 213.1 259.0

Brainerd, MN Cost Of Living

Cost of living in Brainerd summary. We use data on the cost of living to determine how expensive it is to live in Brainerd. Real estate prices drive most of the variance in cost of living around Minnesota. Key points include:

  • The cost of living in Brainerd is 95 with 100 being average.

  • The cost of living in Brainerd is 0.9x lower than the national average.

  • The median home value in Brainerd is $304,542.

  • The median income in Brainerd is $53,705.

95
Brainerd's Overall Cost Of Living
0.9x
Lower Than The National Average

Cost Of Living In Brainerd Comparison Table

Living Expense Brainerd Minnesota National Average
Overall 95 97 100
Services 109 101 100
Groceries 99 99 100
Health 122 110 100
Housing 72 100 100
Transportation 97 95 100
Utilities 94 94 100

Brainerd, MN Weather

  • The average high in Brainerd is 52.2° and the average low is 30.6°.

  • There are 58.3 days of precipitation each year.

  • Expect an average of 27.8 inches of precipitation each year with 46.3 inches of snow.

StatBrainerd
Average Annual High52.2
Average Annual Low30.6
Annual Precipitation Days58.3
Average Annual Precipitation27.8
Average Annual Snowfall46.3
52.2°
Average High
58.3
Days of Rain

Brainerd, MN Photos

Np Shops
Source: Wikipedia User Elkman | GFDL

2 Reviews & Comments About Brainerd

Overall User Rating
3.5
/5

HomeSnacks User - 2019-05-18 13:57:00.613490

I grew up here still live here I've watched this town hit the gutter from instaling the bypass off 371 into baxter. This is the land of come on vacation leave on probation. Where the m**h is as cheap as the mexican border and the violence is there. Theres been alot of murders and alot of s*x offenders. Great place to visit not a place to raise a family

M**h, s*x offenders and snitches


HomeSnacks User - None

I grew up in Brainerd and have been amazed at the cultural community that has sprung up since I left home. I return every year and an amazed at all the big city perks in a small town. Of course, now that the money has gone to Bacter because of the highway 371 bypass it has hurt Brainerd economically. But the people are the tops and I am proud to be from Brainerd.

Since it is the tourist Mecca for up north, that is where people in the cities go to get away from the rat trap, crime, sirens constantly wailing etc for beauty and fun. There was plenty to do years ago when they didn't have all the perks. Swim in one of a thousand lakes in the Brainerd area

Review Where You Live

Rankings for Brainerd in Minnesota

Locations Around Brainerd

Map Of Brainerd, MN

Best Places Around Brainerd

1

Baxter, MN
Population 8,804

2

Little Falls, MN
Population 9,094

Brainerd Demographics And Statistics

Population over time in Brainerd

The current population in Brainerd is 14,474. The population has increased 5.3% from 2010.

Year Population % Change
2023 14,474 0.4%
2022 14,412 2.6%
2021 14,053 4.7%
2020 13,423 0.4%
2019 13,373 -0.1%
2018 13,389 -0.0%
2017 13,394 -0.3%
2016 13,440 -0.2%
2015 13,462 -0.4%
2014 13,521 -0.2%
2013 13,553 -0.4%
2012 13,609 -0.8%
2011 13,715 -0.2%
2010 13,741 -

Race / Ethnicity in Brainerd

White
89.5% (12,952)
African American
1.6% (225)
American Indian
1.6% (235)
Asian
0.5% (72)
Hawaiian
0.0% (0)
Other
1.3% (193)
Two Or More
2.8% (402)
Hispanic
2.7% (395)

Brainerd is:

  • 89.5% White with 12,952 White residents.

  • 1.6% African American with 225 African American residents.

  • 1.6% American Indian with 235 American Indian residents.

  • 0.5% Asian with 72 Asian residents.

  • 0.0% Hawaiian with 0 Hawaiian residents.

  • 1.3% Other with 193 Other residents.

  • 2.8% Two Or More with 402 Two Or More residents.

  • 2.7% Hispanic with 395 Hispanic residents.

Race Brainerd MN USA
White 89.5% 76.7% 58.2%
African American 1.6% 6.7% 12.0%
American Indian 1.6% 0.7% 0.5%
Asian 0.5% 5.0% 5.7%
Hawaiian 0.0% 0.0% 0.2%
Other 1.3% 0.4% 0.5%
Two Or More 2.8% 4.1% 3.9%
Hispanic 2.7% 6.2% 19.0%

Gender in Brainerd

Female
52.5% (7,602)
Male
47.5% (6,872)
  • Brainerd is 52.5% female with 7,602 female residents.

  • Brainerd is 47.5% male with 6,872 male residents.

Gender Brainerd MN USA
Female 52.5% 49.9% 50.5%
Male 47.5% 50.1% 49.5%

Highest level of educational attainment in Brainerd for adults over 25

  • 1.0% of adults in Brainerd completed < 9th grade.

  • 7.0% of adults in Brainerd completed 9-12th grade.

  • 34.0% of adults in Brainerd completed high school / ged.

  • 24.0% of adults in Brainerd completed some college.

  • 14.0% of adults in Brainerd completed associate's degree.

  • 13.0% of adults in Brainerd completed bachelor's degree.

  • 5.0% of adults in Brainerd completed master's degree.

  • 2.0% of adults in Brainerd completed professional degree.

  • 0.0% of adults in Brainerd completed doctorate degree.

< 9th Grade
1.0% (144)
9-12th Grade
7.0% (1,013)
High School / GED
34.0% (4,921)
Some College
24.0% (3,473)
Associate's Degree
14.0% (2,026)
Bachelor's Degree
13.0% (1,881)
Master's Degree
5.0% (723)
Professional Degree
2.0% (289)
Doctorate Degree
0.0% (0)
Education Brainerd MN USA
< 9th Grade 1.0% 2.0% 5.0%
9-12th Grade 7.0% 3.0% 6.0%
High School / GED 34.0% 24.0% 26.0%
Some College 24.0% 20.0% 19.0%
Associate's Degree 14.0% 12.0% 9.0%
Bachelor's Degree 13.0% 25.0% 21.0%
Master's Degree 5.0% 10.0% 10.0%
Professional Degree 2.0% 2.0% 2.0%
Doctorate Degree 0.0% 2.0% 2.0%

Household Income For Brainerd, Minnesota

  • 4.7% of households in Brainerd earn Less than $10,000.

  • 5.5% of households in Brainerd earn $10,000 to $14,999.

  • 10.6% of households in Brainerd earn $15,000 to $24,999.

  • 6.0% of households in Brainerd earn $25,000 to $34,999.

  • 19.3% of households in Brainerd earn $35,000 to $49,999.

  • 20.9% of households in Brainerd earn $50,000 to $74,999.

  • 15.3% of households in Brainerd earn $75,000 to $99,999.

  • 11.7% of households in Brainerd earn $100,000 to $149,999.

  • 2.9% of households in Brainerd earn $150,000 to $199,999.

  • 3.1% of households in Brainerd earn $200,000 or more.

Less than $10,000
4.7% (67,714)
$10,000 to $14,999
5.5% (80,067)
$15,000 to $24,999
10.6% (152,815)
$25,000 to $34,999
6.0% (87,159)
$35,000 to $49,999
19.3% (278,636)
$50,000 to $74,999
20.9% (302,885)
$75,000 to $99,999
15.3% (221,673)
$100,000 to $149,999
11.7% (169,972)
$150,000 to $199,999
2.9% (42,092)
$200,000 or more
3.1% (44,380)
Income Brainerd MN USA
Less than $10,000 4.7% 3.5% 4.9%
$10,000 to $14,999 5.5% 2.8% 3.6%
$15,000 to $24,999 10.6% 5.4% 6.6%
$25,000 to $34,999 6.0% 5.8% 6.8%
$35,000 to $49,999 19.3% 9.6% 10.4%
$50,000 to $74,999 20.9% 15.7% 15.7%
$75,000 to $99,999 15.3% 13.5% 12.7%
$100,000 to $149,999 11.7% 19.7% 17.4%
$150,000 to $199,999 2.9% 10.9% 9.3%
$200,000 or more 3.1% 13.1% 12.6%

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