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Fosston, MN
City in Polk County, Minnesota.
Population
1,374
Land area
2sq mi
People per sq mi
683
ZIP codes
0
Fosston and its ZIP codes
Fosston at a glance
- Fosston is about 9.5 times as dense as Minnesota as a whole.
- Households here earn a median of $52,500 a year, 41% less than the Minnesota figure of $89,062.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $151,700 (54% below Minnesota) and median rent is $790 a month.
Local data for Fosston, MN
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Fosston, MN, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$52,500
Poverty rate
25.6%
Median home value
$151,700
Median rent
$790/mo
Homeownership
55.3%
Bachelor's or higher
20.7%
Median age
41.6
Average commute
14.6 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Norwegian Americans (445), German Americans (310), Irish Americans (140).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Polk County. PPP loans are for Fosston.
Unemployment rate
5.0%
Aug 2026, +0.8 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$56,767
12,003 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$62,060
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$211M
FY 2026, $6,767 per person
How people get to work
Fosston, MN, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone74.3%
- Carpooled7.8%
- Public transit0.4%
- Walked7.0%
- Bicycle3.5%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other1.4%
- Worked from home5.7%
Average one-way commute: 14.6 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Fosston, MN, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: winter weather
Storm events since 1996
1,375
Countywide, mostly hail
Flood insurance policies
102
0.5% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
78° / -5°F
26.5 inches of rain a year
Health statistics
Share of adults in Fosston, MN, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
39.0%
U.S. 33.3% +5.7 pts
Diabetes
13.7%
U.S. 12.1% +1.6 pts
Smoking
16.3%
U.S. 12.8% +3.5 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
8.0%
U.S. 11.1% -3.1 pts
Cities near Fosston
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| McIntoshCity | 7.1 mi | 1 |
| LengbyCity | 7.5 mi | 0.2 |
| WingerCity | 11 mi | 0.3 |
| EbroCensus-designated place | 12 mi | 0.9 |
| ErskineCity | 13 mi | 0.6 |
| Pine BendCensus-designated place | 13 mi | 1.3 |
| TrailCity | 14 mi | 1 |
| BejouCity | 14 mi | 0.3 |
| GullyCity | 14 mi | 0.2 |
| GonvickCity | 15 mi | 1.3 |
| BagleyCity | 17 mi | 2.1 |
| ClearbrookCity | 17 mi | 0.5 |
| BeaulieuCensus-designated place | 17 mi | 3.9 |
| Rice LakeCensus-designated place | 18 mi | 10.4 |
| OkleeCity | 18 mi | 0.7 |
| The RanchCensus-designated place | 18 mi | 0.3 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Fosston, MN in?
- Fosston is in Polk County, Minnesota.
- What is the population of Fosston, MN?
- About 1,374 people live in Fosston, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Fosston?
- Nearby places include McIntosh (7.1 mi), Lengby (7.5 mi), Winger (11 mi), Ebro (12 mi), Erskine (13 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023