Nett Lake: Demographics & People
Nett Lake's population stands at 171 people, in 70 households. Population shrank 6.6% from 183 (2022) to 171 (2024). Median age 38.8 years. (2.4y younger than St. Louis County; 1.3y older than Minnesota). Children under 18 are 27% of the population. Population is 3% White (non-Hispanic) and 1% Hispanic or Latino. The community is moderately diverse (Simpson index 0.43). 76% of households are family-led. County is losing 402 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 37% adult obesity, 18% smoke.
- 2.4 people per household (vs Minnesota avg 2.5).
- 24% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Minnesota 39%).
- 94 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Minnesota 67).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 6.6% from 183 (2022) to 171 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~159 (extrapolated at -3.3%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 145.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 12,062 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -6.6% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 183 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 171 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | shrinking |
| Population | 171 people (vs Minnesota 32,889) |
| Population Estimate | 145 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 38.8y is 0.1 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 27% — above the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 38.8 years (vs Minnesota 37.5y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 26.9% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 171 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 46 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 30.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 58.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 37 |
| Population under 18 | 46 |
| Median age | 38.8 years (vs Minnesota 37.5y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 171 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.43 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as moderately diverse.
| White residents | 8 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 1 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 2 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 43.0% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | moderately diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 3 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 72.7% |
| Black population | 0.6% (vs Minnesota 6.1%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 1.2% (vs Minnesota 6.1%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 2.9% (vs Minnesota 73.6%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (4)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 0.6% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 7% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 147 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 11 |
| Share born in this state | 86.0% |
| Share born in another state | 14.0% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 6.4% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.6% |
| Naturalized citizens | 7.0% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 11 |
| From Africa | 1 |
Households & Family Composition
70 households. Averaging 2.5 people each — matches the U.S. average of 2.5. 76% are family households — above the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 57 families, 7% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 52 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 57 |
| Married couples with children | 4 |
| Single-parent households | 3 |
| Average household size | 2.54 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 19.5% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 15 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 5 |
| Family households | 53 households (vs Minnesota 8,466) |
| Households that are families | 75.7% (vs Minnesota 61.2%) |
| Total households | 70 households (vs Minnesota 11,928) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 8.3% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is losing 402 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 8.3% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 9,954 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 10,356 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | -402 |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 16 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 7.9% |
Other
| Congressional District · District | 8 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Formatted | MN-08 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 27071 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 27 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 071 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Koochiching |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 10.0% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 6.50 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 14.70 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 27071 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Koochiching County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Noncore |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 470 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 27071 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Koochiching County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 64.0% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 60.6% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 65.2% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 12,229 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 4.50 |
| Family Score · Schools | 7 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 26.9% |
| Family Score · Rating | fair |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 171, shrinking, family-oriented, working-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 171 people (vs Minnesota 32,889) |
| Town Summary · County | Koochiching County |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade