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Pelican Rapids, MN
City in Otter Tail County, Minnesota.
Population
2,586
Land area
2.6sq mi
People per sq mi
1,001
ZIP codes
0
Pelican Rapids and its ZIP codes
Pelican Rapids at a glance
- Pelican Rapids is about 14 times as dense as Minnesota as a whole.
- Households here earn a median of $63,917 a year, 28% less than the Minnesota figure of $89,062.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $174,100 (47% below Minnesota).
Local data for Pelican Rapids, MN
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Pelican Rapids, MN, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$63,917
Poverty rate
16.6%
Median home value
$174,100
Homeownership
63.9%
Bachelor's or higher
19.3%
Median age
38.6
Average commute
22.4 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Mexican Americans (719), German Americans (613), Norwegian Americans (555).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Otter Tail County. PPP loans are for Pelican Rapids.
Unemployment rate
4.2%
Sep 2026, +0.9 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$54,321
22,581 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$62,053
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$541M
FY 2026, $9,001 per person
How people get to work
Pelican Rapids, MN, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone73.8%
- Carpooled4.9%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked8.1%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other4.6%
- Worked from home8.6%
Average one-way commute: 22.4 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Pelican Rapids, MN, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: winter weather
Storm events since 1996
1,388
Countywide, mostly hail
Flood insurance policies
7
0.0% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
80° / -1°F
24.8 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone1 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Pelican Rapids, MN, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
36.9%
U.S. 33.3% +3.6 pts
Diabetes
12.6%
U.S. 12.1% +0.5 pts
Smoking
16.3%
U.S. 12.8% +3.5 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
15.7%
U.S. 11.1% +4.6 pts
Cities near Pelican Rapids
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| ErhardCity | 6 mi | 0.6 |
| RothsayCity | 12 mi | 0.9 |
| ElizabethCity | 13 mi | 0.4 |
| VergasCity | 15 mi | 1.6 |
| BarnesvilleCity | 17 mi | 2 |
| DentCity | 18 mi | 0.4 |
| Fergus FallsCity | 20 mi | 14.4 |
| Detroit LakesCity | 20 mi | 11.8 |
| AudubonCity | 21 mi | 0.7 |
| FrazeeCity | 21 mi | 1.1 |
| Lake ParkCity | 22 mi | 1 |
| UnderwoodCity | 22 mi | 0.6 |
| RichvilleCity | 22 mi | 1 |
| FoxhomeCity | 23 mi | 0.4 |
| HawleyCity | 24 mi | 2.6 |
| BakerCensus-designated place | 24 mi | 1 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Pelican Rapids, MN in?
- Pelican Rapids is in Otter Tail County, Minnesota.
- What is the population of Pelican Rapids, MN?
- About 2,586 people live in Pelican Rapids, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Pelican Rapids?
- Nearby places include Erhard (6 mi), Rothsay (12 mi), Elizabeth (13 mi), Vergas (15 mi), Barnesville (17 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023