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Swift County, MN
8 cities and towns and 7 ZIP codes in Swift County, Minnesota.
Population
9,748
Land area
742sq mi
People per sq mi
13
ZIP codes
7
Cities and towns in Swift County
Swift County at a glance
- Swift County is 82% less dense than Minnesota as a whole.
- The median household income is $60,412, 32% below the Minnesota median of $89,062.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $161,400 (51% below Minnesota) and median rent is $920 a month.
- Its largest cities are Benson (3,441), Appleton (1,393) and Kerkhoven (802).
Local data for Swift County, MN
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Swift County, MN, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$60,412
Poverty rate
12.0%
Median home value
$161,400
Prices +1.1% in a year
Median rent
$920/mo
Homeownership
72.4%
Bachelor's or higher
24.2%
Median age
41.8
Average commute
19.4 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (3,852), Norwegian Americans (2,546), Irish Americans (956).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, income, federal spending and pandemic loans
Unemployment rate
8.0%
Aug 2026, +4.0 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$54,727
3,627 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$74,868
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$103M
FY 2026, $10,445 per person
PPP loans
$37.8M
1,078 loans, 4,512 jobs reported
Campaign donations
$68.7K
Itemized, 2026 cycle
How people get to work
Swift County, MN, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone77.1%
- Carpooled6.2%
- Public transit0.3%
- Walked7.4%
- Bicycle0.5%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.9%
- Worked from home7.5%
Average one-way commute: 19.4 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Swift County, MN, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Very Low
Top: winter weather
Storm events since 1996
433
Most often thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
6
0.1% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
83° / 1°F
28.1 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone8 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Swift County, MN, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
38.4%
U.S. 33.3% +5.1 pts
Diabetes
13.2%
U.S. 12.1% +1.1 pts
Smoking
16.6%
U.S. 12.8% +3.8 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
9.1%
U.S. 11.1% -2.0 pts
Cities, towns and ZIP codes in Swift County
Population shown
Frequently asked questions
- What is the largest city in Swift County, MN?
- Benson is the largest city or town in Swift County, with about 3,441 residents.
- How many ZIP codes are in Swift County?
- Swift County includes 7 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas, including 56208, 56215, 56226, 56231, 56249.
- What is the population of Swift County, MN?
- About 9,748 people live in Swift County, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What counties border Swift County?
- Swift County borders Kandiyohi County, Chippewa County, Pope County, Stevens County, Lac qui Parle County, Big Stone County.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023