Brooten: Demographics & People
Brooten's population stands at 602 people, in 237 households. Population grew 3.4% from 582 (2022) to 602 (2024). Median age 45.8 years. (10.7y older than Stearns County; 8.3y older than Minnesota). Children under 18 are 15% of the population. Population is 75% White (non-Hispanic) and 18% Hispanic or Latino. The community is somewhat diverse (Simpson index 0.26). 40% of households are family-led. County is gaining 293 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 38% adult obesity, 17% smoke.
- 2.5 people per household (vs Minnesota avg 2.5).
- 60% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Minnesota 39%).
- 56 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Minnesota 67).
Population & Trend
Population grew 3.4% from 582 (2022) to 602 (2024) — about 5.7× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~622 (extrapolated at 1.7%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 651.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 11,308 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 3.4% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 582 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 602 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | growing |
| Population | 602 people (vs Minnesota 32,889) |
| Population Estimate | 651 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 45.8y is 6.9 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 15% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 45.8 years (vs Minnesota 37.5y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 14.8% |
| Age Summary · Character | established |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 602 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 89 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 51.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 336.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 126 |
| Population under 18 | 89 |
| Median age | 45.8 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 602 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.26 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as somewhat diverse.
| White residents | 458 |
|---|---|
| Asian residents | 2 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 82 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 26.3% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | somewhat diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 3 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 84.5% |
| Asian population | 0.5% (vs Minnesota 5.3%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 18.1% (vs Minnesota 6.1%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 74.8% (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 (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 4.5% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 9% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 388 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 131 |
| Share born in this state | 64.5% |
| Share born in another state | 35.5% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 21.8% |
| Foreign-born residents | 4.5% |
| Naturalized citizens | 9.3% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 51 |
| From Africa | 2 |
Households & Family Composition
237 households. Averaging 2.0 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 40% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 107 families, 19% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 114 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 107 |
| Married couples with children | 20 |
| Single-parent households | 12 |
| Average household size | 2.00 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 11.2% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 2 |
| Family households | 95 households (vs Minnesota 8,466) |
| Households that are families | 40.1% (vs Minnesota 61.2%) |
| Total households | 237 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. 20.7% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 293 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 20.7% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 11,587 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 11,294 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 293 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| 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 | 33 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 5.7% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 155 residents live in group quarters (25.7% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 155 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 7 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 27121 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 27 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 121 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Pope |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 9.5% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 5.60 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 15.20 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 27121 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Pope County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Noncore |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 412 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 27121 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Pope County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 63.1% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 59.5% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 65.2% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 11,249 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 1.80 |
| Family Score · Schools | 1 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 1 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 14.8% |
| Family Score · Rating | limited |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 602, growing, established, working-class, white collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 602 people (vs Minnesota 32,889) |
| Town Summary · County | Pope County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade