Checked
Brainerd, MN
City in Crow Wing County, Minnesota.
Population
14,468
Land area
12.1sq mi
People per sq mi
1,193
ZIP codes
0
Brainerd and its ZIP codes
Brainerd at a glance
- Brainerd is about 17 times as dense as Minnesota as a whole.
- It is the 76th most populous of 914 cities and towns in Minnesota.
- Households here earn a median of $56,111 a year, 37% less than the Minnesota figure of $89,062.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $192,500 (42% below Minnesota) and median rent is $827 a month.
Local data for Brainerd, MN
Counts from official public data
- Hospitals1
- Emergency Rooms1
- Nursing Homes2
- Schools13
- Colleges1
- Libraries1
- Banks7
- Post Offices1
- Parks14
- Grocery Stores7
- Restaurants55
- Affordable Housing4
- Home Health Agencies1
- Dialysis Centers1
- Mental Health & Addiction Treatment9
- Private Schools3
- Community Colleges & Trade Schools1
- Toxic Release Facilities1
- Historic Places6
Housing and community stats
Brainerd, MN, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$56,111
Poverty rate
15.0%
Median home value
$192,500
Median rent
$827/mo
Homeownership
56.5%
Bachelor's or higher
20.3%
Median age
35.1
Average commute
19.8 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (4,434), Irish Americans (1,927), Norwegian Americans (1,381).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Crow Wing County. PPP loans are for Brainerd.
Unemployment rate
4.9%
Aug 2026, +0.9 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$55,346
31,145 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$60,191
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$600M
FY 2026, $9,081 per person
How people get to work
Brainerd, MN, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone72.5%
- Carpooled13.1%
- Public transit1.0%
- Walked2.7%
- Bicycle1.1%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other2.1%
- Worked from home7.5%
Average one-way commute: 19.8 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Brainerd, MN, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: cold wave
Storm events since 1996
707
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
88
0.2% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
80° / -2°F
30.6 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone6 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Brainerd, MN, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
38.9%
U.S. 33.3% +5.6 pts
Diabetes
10.7%
U.S. 12.1% -1.4 pts
Smoking
17.7%
U.S. 12.8% +4.9 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
9.1%
U.S. 11.1% -2.0 pts
Cities near Brainerd
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| BaxterCity | 4 mi | 18.9 |
| MerrifieldCensus-designated place | 8 mi | 0.5 |
| East Gull LakeCity | 8.5 mi | 7.9 |
| RivertonCity | 10 mi | 0.8 |
| NisswaCity | 11 mi | 10.8 |
| Lake ShoreCity | 13 mi | 12.7 |
| IrontonCity | 13 mi | 1.4 |
| PillagerCity | 14 mi | 0.8 |
| TrommaldCity | 14 mi | 3.7 |
| Fort RipleyCity | 15 mi | 1.3 |
| CrosbyCity | 15 mi | 3 |
| DeerwoodCity | 16 mi | 1.5 |
| CuyunaCity | 17 mi | 3.2 |
| Pequot LakesCity | 17 mi | 16.4 |
| Breezy PointCity | 17 mi | 11.7 |
| GarrisonCity | 18 mi | 1 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Brainerd, MN in?
- Brainerd is in Crow Wing County, Minnesota.
- What is the population of Brainerd, MN?
- About 14,468 people live in Brainerd, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Brainerd?
- Nearby places include Baxter (4 mi), Merrifield (8 mi), East Gull Lake (8.5 mi), Riverton (10 mi), Nisswa (11 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023