Brainerd, MN Demographics

A map of Brainerd's Population by Race

Brainerd, Minnesota has an estimated population of 14,468, a less than 1% change from the 14,395 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 91.5% White, 3.1% Hispanic, 2.3% Multiracial, 2.2% Native American/Other, 0.8% Black, and 0.1% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Brainerd, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Brainerd has become considerably less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Minnesota overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Brainerd, that probability was 22.8% in 2020 and 16.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Brainerd is ranked the 76th most populous place in Minnesota, out of 915 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Brainerd was ranked the 76th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Brainerd's White Population

13,236 residents of Brainerd, or 91.5% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Brainerd is significantly higher than in Minnesota overall, where 75.9% of the population is White. Brainerd ranks 592nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 915 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Brainerd's White population has grown by an estimated 4.9%. White residents' share of Brainerd's population has increased from 87.6% to 91.5%.

Brainerd is more White than neighboring Riverton (80% White). Brainerd is less White than neighboring Baxter (94.9% White), Merrifield (100% White), East Gull Lake (96.7% White), and Nisswa (96.2% White).

Brainerd's Black Population

113 residents of Brainerd, or 0.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Brainerd is lower than in Minnesota overall, where 6.9% of the population is Black. Brainerd ranks 179th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 915 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Brainerd's Black population has declined by an estimated 46.9%. Black residents' share of Brainerd's population has decreased from 1.5% to 0.8%.

Brainerd is more Black than neighboring Baxter (0% Black), Merrifield (0% Black), and East Gull Lake (0% Black). Brainerd is less Black than neighboring Nisswa (1.2% Black), and Riverton (2.1% Black).

Brainerd's Asian Population

14 residents of Brainerd, or 0.1% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Brainerd is slightly lower than in Minnesota overall, where 5.1% of the population is Asian. Brainerd ranks 343rd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 915 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Brainerd's Asian population has declined by an estimated 85.3%. Asian residents' share of Brainerd's population has decreased from 0.7% to 0.1%.

Brainerd is more Asian than neighboring Merrifield (0% Asian), Nisswa (0% Asian), and Riverton (0% Asian). Brainerd is less Asian than neighboring Baxter (0.3% Asian), and East Gull Lake (0.4% Asian).

Brainerd's Hispanic Population

446 residents of Brainerd, or 3.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Brainerd is slightly lower than in Minnesota overall, where 6.4% of the population is Hispanic. Brainerd ranks 505th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 915 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Brainerd's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 22.9%. Hispanic residents' share of Brainerd's population has increased from 2.5% to 3.1%.

Brainerd is more Hispanic than neighboring Merrifield (0% Hispanic), East Gull Lake (2.1% Hispanic), Nisswa (0.3% Hispanic), and Riverton (0% Hispanic). Brainerd is less Hispanic than neighboring Baxter (3.4% Hispanic).

Brainerd's Native American/Other Population

322 residents of Brainerd, or 2.2% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Brainerd is comparable to the share in Minnesota overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Brainerd ranks 127th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 915 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Brainerd's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 11.5%. Native American/Other residents' share of Brainerd's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.2%.

Brainerd is more Native American/Other than neighboring Baxter (0.3% Native American/Other), Merrifield (0% Native American/Other), East Gull Lake (0% Native American/Other), Nisswa (0.3% Native American/Other), and Riverton (0% Native American/Other).

Brainerd's Multiracial Population

337 residents of Brainerd, or 2.3% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Brainerd is slightly lower than in Minnesota overall, where 4.5% of the population is Multiracial. Brainerd ranks 156th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 915 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Brainerd's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 54.8%. Multiracial residents' share of Brainerd's population has decreased from 5.2% to 2.3%.

Brainerd is more Multiracial than neighboring Baxter (1.2% Multiracial), Merrifield (0% Multiracial), East Gull Lake (0.8% Multiracial), and Nisswa (2% Multiracial). Brainerd is less Multiracial than neighboring Riverton (17.9% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.