Small-town market profile · Minnesota
Fergus Falls, MN area market data
Population, household spending and competition for 56 business types in the Fergus Falls area, each scored against other small-town markets.
- Population, 2025
- 61,041
- +1.6% since 2020
- Households
- 25,157
- Median household income
- $72,255
- +23.1% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Median home value
- $273,000
- Jobs located here
- 23,068
- Highest market score
- 85
- Optometrists and eye care, #7 of 400 scored small-town markets
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in the Fergus Falls area by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of the Fergus Falls area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
An estimated 61,041 people live in the Fergus Falls area, in 25,157 households. Population estimates put the population change in the Fergus Falls area from 2020 to 2025 at +1.6%, slower than the U.S. (+3.1%). The median household income in the Fergus Falls area is $72,255 a year, 11% below the U.S. median of $80,734. That rose 23.1% from the 2015–2019 survey, before inflation.
Set against the U.S., households in the Fergus Falls area spend the most on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 125, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on child care and other personal services (66).
The highest Groundwork market scores in the Fergus Falls area are for optometrists and eye clinics (85), funeral homes (84) and martial arts and dance studios (81). The Fergus Falls area ranks #7 of 400 scored small-town markets for optometrists and eye clinics.
The Fergus Falls area is made up of one county, Otter Tail County. For its number of households, the Fergus Falls area has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for electricians (3.5 times the U.S. rate) and the fewest for spas and skin care studios (51% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in the Fergus Falls area
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares the Fergus Falls area with other small-town markets for that business type, from 0 to 100. Spending per listing divides a whole spending line (all vehicle repairs, all eating out) by one type’s listings: the demand for each competitor, not a business’s revenue. Compare it across markets with its index, where 100 is the U.S. figure for the same type; the real estate types, whose line is all housing costs, show the index only. How the score works.
| Business type | Score | Rank among small-town markets | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Spending per listing vs. U.S. (100) | Official establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optometrists and eye care | 85 | #7 of 400 | 7 | 2.8 | $5M | 158 | 3 |
| Funeral homes | 84 | #18 of 365 | 9 | 3.6 | $525K | 77 | 3 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | 81 | #8 of 378 | 6 | 2.4 | $3.6M | 176 | Under 3 |
| Physical therapy | 79 | #21 of 400 | 8 | 3.2 | $4.3M | 180 | 7 |
| Fast food and sandwich shops | 79 | #34 of 537 | 26 | 10.3 | $3.7M | 120 | 38 |
| Child care and preschools | 78 | #27 of 454 | 7 | 2.8 | $1.4M | 138 | 8 |
| Car washes and detailing | 77 | #28 of 441 | 11 | 4.4 | $2.7M | 108 | Under 3 |
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 77 | #36 of 538 | 114 | 45.3 | $304K | 199 | 59 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 75 | #29 of 535 | 32 | 12.7 | $667K | 101 | 3 |
| Pet stores | 73 | #27 of 220 | 5 | 2.0 | $4.1M | 91 | Under 3 |
| Laundromats | 72 | #25 of 150 | 5 | 2.0 | $9.7M | 77 | Under 3 |
| Veterinarians | 72 | #45 of 398 | 5 | 2.0 | $4.1M | 151 | 8 |
| Tire shops | 72 | #68 of 431 | 12 | 4.8 | $2.5M | 100 | Under 3 |
| Salons, barbers and spas | 71 | #45 of 538 | 72 | 28.6 | $338K | 159 | 18 |
| Pizza | 71 | #70 of 520 | 21 | 8.3 | $4.5M | 89 | 38 |
| Spas and skin care | 69 | #66 of 504 | 14 | 5.6 | $1.7M | 198 | 5 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | 68 | #70 of 507 | 20 | 8.0 | $4.8M | 115 | 10 |
| Restaurants and cafes | 68 | #94 of 538 | 231 | 91.8 | $412K | 111 | 104 |
| Property management | 67 | #31 of 180 | 5 | 2.0 | Index only | 124 | 4 |
| Gyms | 66 | #82 of 506 | 22 | 8.7 | $969K | 75 | 3 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 66 | #131 of 536 | 51 | 20.3 | $947K | 108 | 9 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | 65 | #144 of 536 | 37 | 14.7 | $1.3M | 103 | 9 |
| Hair salons | 64 | #108 of 538 | 50 | 19.9 | $487K | 113 | 12 |
| Pet businesses | 62 | #122 of 527 | 25 | 9.9 | $823K | 94 | 15 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 61 | #154 of 538 | 117 | 46.5 | $813K | 123 | 56 |
| Auto repair and car care | 61 | #173 of 538 | 118 | 46.9 | $254K | 95 | 43 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | 60 | #116 of 387 | 9 | 3.6 | $2.3M | 90 | 7 |
| Auto repair shops | 58 | #186 of 538 | 68 | 27.0 | $441K | 99 | 36 |
| Dentists and orthodontists | 58 | #188 of 526 | 22 | 8.7 | $1.6M | 160 | 26 |
| Coffee shops and cafes | 57 | #199 of 529 | 31 | 12.3 | $3.1M | 83 | 10 |
| HVAC and plumbing | 55 | #177 of 476 | 13 | 5.2 | $5.1M | 107 | 29 |
| Gas stations | 55 | #215 of 536 | 37 | 14.7 | $2.1M | 86 | 48 |
| Collision repair and body shops | 52 | #171 of 387 | 11 | 4.4 | $2.7M | 89 | 14 |
| Convenience stores | 50 | #288 of 529 | 36 | 14.3 | $4.2M | 53 | Under 3 |
| Grocery stores | 49 | #276 of 506 | 21 | 8.3 | $7.1M | 77 | 13 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 49 | #298 of 538 | 81 | 32.2 | $1.8M | 55 | 14 |
| Chiropractors | 40 | #289 of 426 | 22 | 8.7 | $1.6M | 66 | 15 |
| Real estate | 38 | #415 of 536 | 68 | 27.0 | Index only | 117 | 35 |
| Home repair trades | 37 | #410 of 526 | 39 | 15.5 | $1.7M | 70 | 60 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 35 | #459 of 533 | 58 | 23.1 | Index only | 109 | 24 |
| Electricians | 27 | #272 of 295 | 22 | 8.7 | $3M | 25 | 31 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | 26 | #448 of 481 | 35 | 13.9 | $865K | 52 | 52 |
| Insurance agencies | 26 | #461 of 537 | 52 | 20.7 | $891K | 71 | 52 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | 25 | #376 of 399 | 29 | 11.5 | $1M | 36 | 37 |
| House cleaning | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 1.6 | $7.6M | 118 | 12 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 1.6 | Index only | 222 | Under 3 |
| Nail salons | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 1.6 | $6.1M | 364 | Under 3 |
| Roofing and gutters | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 1.6 | $16.6M | 196 | Under 3 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 1.6 | $5.3M | 131 | 3 |
| Barbershops | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 1.2 | $8.1M | 430 | Under 3 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 1.2 | $11.6M | 649 | 8 |
| Pest control | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 0.8 | $15.1M | Too few | 3 |
| Dry cleaners | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.4 | $48.3M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Home inspectors | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.4 | Index only | Too few | 3 |
| Oil change and quick lube | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | 3 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
Household spending in the Fergus Falls area
What households here spend in a year on each line, in total and per household, with the index against the U.S. average (100).
| Spending line | A year, all households | Per household | Index vs. U.S. (100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle maintenance and repairs | $30M | $1,193 | 125 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $76.2M | $3,030 | 117 |
| Food away from home | $95.2M | $3,783 | 93 |
| Groceries | $149.8M | $5,954 | 94 |
| Personal care products and services | $24.3M | $967 | 96 |
| Child care and other personal services | $9.7M | $384 | 66 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $21.3M | $848 | 86 |
| Medical and dental services | $34.7M | $1,377 | 107 |
| Pets | $20.6M | $818 | 90 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $48.3M | $1,920 | 93 |
| Vehicle insurance | $46.3M | $1,842 | 94 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $66.4M | $2,641 | 88 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $30.3M | $1,203 | 85 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $345.8M | $13,747 | 83 |
Household spending is estimated from the incomes of the households in each neighborhood, using what households at each income spent nationally in 2024, adjusted for the region. It counts what residents spend, wherever they spend it.
Population and households in the Fergus Falls area
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 61,041+1.6% since 2020
- Households
- 25,157
- Median age
- 45.9
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 79%
- Vehicles per household
- 2.1
- Land area
- 1,972 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 31
- Median household income
- $72,255+23.1% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Average household income
- $92,523
- Median home value
- $273,000
- Jobs located here
- 23,068
- Daytime population
- 55,886Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in the Fergus Falls area?
These figures cover the whole small-town market. A site report draws rings around one address and counts what’s inside them: households, spending, jobs, and the competitors on map listings by name and distance, for any of the 56 business types.
Or open the report at the center of the Fergus Falls area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardRelated markets
Counties in the Fergus Falls area 1
- Otter Tail County, MN60,475 people
Other markets based in Minnesota 12
- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro area3,713,668 people
- Duluth, MN-WI metro area280,870 people
- Rochester, MN metro area228,522 people
- St. Cloud, MN metro area202,458 people
- Mankato, MN metro area104,282 people
- Brainerd, MN area98,678 people
- Faribault-Northfield, MN area67,917 people
- Winona, MN area49,779 people
- Red Wing, MN area47,943 people
- Bemidji, MN area46,512 people
- Grand Rapids, MN area45,275 people
- Willmar, MN area44,079 people
Questions
How fast is the Fergus Falls, MN area growing?
Population estimates put the Fergus Falls area at 61,041 people in 2025, up 1.6% since 2020, slower than the U.S. (+3.1%). It has 25,157 households. Against the 2015–2019 survey, median household income rose 23.1%, before inflation.
How much do households in the Fergus Falls, MN area spend?
Households in the Fergus Falls area spend about $345.8M a year on rent and homeowner costs, $149.8M on groceries and $95.2M on food away from home. Relative to the U.S., household spending in the Fergus Falls area runs highest on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 125, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on child care and other personal services (66).
Which business types have the highest market scores in the Fergus Falls, MN area?
Of the business types scored in the Fergus Falls area, optometrists and eye clinics (85), funeral homes (84) and martial arts and dance studios (81) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For optometrists and eye clinics, that ranks #7 of 400 scored small-town markets.
How does the Fergus Falls, MN area compare with the U.S.?
Median household income in the Fergus Falls area is $72,255, 11% below the U.S. median of $80,734. The population rose 1.6% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $273,000, against $332,700 for the U.S. Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for electricians (3.5 times the U.S. rate) and lowest for spas and skin care studios (51% below the U.S. rate).
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. A small-town market is a town of 10,000 to 50,000 people and the county or counties tied to it by commuting. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. 44 of the 56 business types have a score in the Fergus Falls area, each ranked against other small-town markets.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in the Fergus Falls area. It maps the competitors on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
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Screening a site or an acquisition in the Fergus Falls area?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
The button opens the report at the center of the Fergus Falls area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.