Douglas County, Minnesota: commercial real estate data.
Douglas County, Minnesota had an estimated 39,933 residents on July 1, 2024, up 2.4 percent since the 2020 census base of 38,998, across 637 square miles. County output reached $2.86 bn in 2024, 1,394 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 94 7(a) approvals worth $41.6 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Douglas County
How many people live in Douglas County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202439,575
- Households17,519
- Average household size2.26
- Median household income$79,043
- Median age44.5
- Median gross rent$927 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$321,400
- Home value to household income4.1 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income14.1 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher29.7 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree9.6 percent
- Adults 25 and over28,410
- Population under 188,482
- Share under 1821.4 percent
- Population 65 and over9,644
- Share 65 and over24.4 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 6421,449
- Civilian labor force20,161
- Unemployment rate2.9 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over64.8 percent
- Rank by population among Minnesota counties27th of 87
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included1219th of 3,222
Douglas County is the 27th largest of 87 Minnesota counties by population. A median home costs 4.1 times median household income, which is seriously unaffordable by national standards. Residents 65 and over outnumber those under 18, at 24.4 percent against 21.4 percent, which points demand at health care, services and single story product rather than schools.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Douglas County
Is Douglas County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 202439,933
- Census 2020 base population38,998
- Population change since the 2020 census base2.40 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 202459
- Births, 2024387
- Deaths, 2024480
- Natural change, 2024-93
- Net domestic migration, 2024119
- Net international migration, 202434
- Total net migration, 2024153
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 20241,104
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents1035th of 3,144
The county has grown 2.40 percent since the 2020 census base. Deaths exceeded births in 2024 and the population still grew, so all of the growth came from people moving in. A market held up by migration is more sensitive to a change in relative cost than one growing from household formation.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Douglas County
Where are people moving to Douglas County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving996
- People arriving, from those returns1,689
- Tax returns filed by households leaving971
- Net household movement25
- Adjusted gross income arriving$81.6 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$-12.7 m
- Average income of an arriving household$81,953
- Average income of a leaving household$97,189
- Largest single originStearns County (83 households)
- Largest single destinationPope County (72 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stearns County | 83 | 133 | $5.2 m |
| Hennepin County | 79 | 124 | $16.2 m |
| Todd County | 61 | 100 | $2.9 m |
| Pope County | 56 | 95 | $2.8 m |
| Otter Tail County | 55 | 93 | $3.1 m |
| Cass County | 45 | 73 | $3.2 m |
| Grant County | 36 | 54 | $1.8 m |
| Dakota County | 34 | 72 | $3.9 m |
Households arriving report $15,236 less average income than households leaving, which drains spending power even where headcount holds up. The largest single source of arrivals is Stearns County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Douglas County
What is the Douglas County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$2.86 bn
- County GDP, 2023$2.76 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20243.5 percent
- GDP change over five years36.4 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Minnesota areas BEA publishes23rd of 87
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes1014th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$72,262
Output grew 3.5 percent in the latest year and 36.4 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Douglas County
Employment by industry in Douglas County
- Covered employment, annual average19,527
- Establishments reporting1,499
- Average annual pay$57,062
- Average weekly wage$1,097
- Manufacturing, employment3,672
- Manufacturing, average annual pay$73,382
- Retail trade, employment2,576
- Retail trade, average annual pay$35,296
- Health care and social assistance, employment2,290
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$59,270
- Accommodation and food services, employment1,948
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$22,428
- Construction, employment1,250
- Wholesale trade, employment919
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 3,672 | 91 | $73,382 |
| Retail trade | 2,576 | 193 | $35,296 |
| Health care and social assistance | 2,290 | 161 | $59,270 |
| Accommodation and food services | 1,948 | 121 | $22,428 |
| Construction | 1,250 | 200 | $77,735 |
| Wholesale trade | 919 | 67 | $71,062 |
| Other services, except public administration | 758 | 147 | $35,696 |
| Finance and insurance | 544 | 86 | $120,166 |
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 3,672 jobs, 18.8 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Douglas County
How many businesses are in Douglas County?
- Establishments, all industries1,394
- Employment at those establishments18,208
- Annual payroll$1.01 bn
- Establishments per 1,000 residents35.2
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Douglas County
Building permits in Douglas County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 2024285
- Declared construction value permitted$83.8 m
- Single family units authorized191
- Multifamily units authorized94
- Multifamily share of units33.0 percent
- Average declared value per unit$294,039
- Units authorized per 1,000 households16.3
Single-family homes are 67.0 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is predominantly single-family.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Douglas County
SBA loans in Douglas County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded94
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$41.6 m
- Average 7(a) approval$442,554
- Median 7(a) approval$140,800
- 10th percentile approval$26,500
- 90th percentile approval$903,500
- Largest single approval$5,000,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)833
- Jobs per approval8.9
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active24
- Distinct industries receiving approvals54
- Median 7(a) term84 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer2.1 percent
- Loans on real estate terms2
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter84
- Franchise loans6
- Franchise share of approvals6.4 percent
- Leading industry by approval countPower and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction (7)
- Most active lenderVantage Bank (26)
- 504 approvals recorded72
- 504 gross approval dollars$45.2 m
- Average 504 approval$628,306
- Median 504 approval$450,000
- Distinct CDCs active4
- 504 jobs per approval8.3
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved13.3
- Most active CDCMidwest Business Finance Corporation (48)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$86.8 m
The average approval of $442,554 sits well above the median of $140,800, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 2.1 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Douglas County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Douglas County
Do SBA loans in Douglas County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded36
- Paid in full36
- Charged off0
- Charge-off rate on resolved loans0.0 percent
- Status: Paid in full36
- Status: Cancelled9
- Status: Exempt from disclosure47
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed2
Of the 36 loans that have reached a final outcome, 0.0 percent were charged off. This is computed only over resolved loans, because a loan still running has not yet succeeded or failed and counting it either way would be wrong.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Douglas County
SBA lending by place in Douglas County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending9
- Alexandria, approvals75
- Osakis, approvals7
- Garfield, approvals5
- Brandon, approvals2
- Carlos, approvals1
- Miltona, approvals1
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | 75 | $28,168,800 |
| Osakis | 7 | $2,613,000 |
| Garfield | 5 | $6,496,300 |
| Brandon | 2 | $3,956,000 |
| Carlos | 1 | $200,000 |
| Miltona | 1 | $50,000 |
| Villard | 1 | $50,000 |
| Nelson | 1 | $41,000 |
| 1 other borrower city | 1 | $25,000 |
Alexandria accounts for 75 approvals against 7 in Osakis. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Douglas County
How large is Douglas County?
- Land area637 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Minnesota counties48th of 87
- Width, east to west30.3 mi
- Height, north to south24.1 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary5
- Residents per square mile of land62
- Establishments per square mile2.19
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Douglas County
Flood risk in Douglas County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Douglas County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 270623
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book3
- Of those, participating in the NFIP2
- NFIP participation rate66.7 percent
- Communities carrying a CRS class0
- Radon levels in Douglas County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/LZone 1
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Douglas County (community 270623), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries no Community Rating System class, so no CRS premium discount applies there. The EPA places Douglas County in radon zone 1, a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. 66.7 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Douglas County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Douglas County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202439,575
- Households17,519
- Average household size2.26
- Median household income$79,043
- Median age44.5
Common questions
Douglas County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Douglas County, Minnesota?
The Census Bureau estimates 39,933 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 39,575, in 17,519 households, ranking 27th of 87 Minnesota counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Douglas County's population growing?
The population has grown 2.40 percent since the 2020 census base of 38,998, to 39,933 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 387 births against 480 deaths, with net migration of 153. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Douglas County?
$79,043. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $321,400, which is 4.1 times income, and median gross rent is $927 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Douglas County?
1,394 establishments, employing 18,208 people with an annual payroll of $1.01 bn. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Douglas County?
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 3,672 jobs, 18.8 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 19,527 jobs at an average annual pay of $57,062, or $1,097 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Douglas County?
94 7(a) approvals totaling $41.6 m since FY2020, across 24 lenders, with a median approval of $140,800, plus 72 504 approvals worth $45.2 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
Do SBA loans in Douglas County get paid back?
Of the 36 loans that have reached a final outcome, 36 were paid in full and 0 charged off, a charge-off rate of 0.0 percent. Loans still running are excluded, because they have not yet succeeded or failed.
How many building permits were issued in Douglas County?
285 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $83.8 m. Multifamily was 33.0 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Douglas County?
Zone 1, a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Douglas County come from?
The largest single origin is Stearns County, with 83 households. Arriving households report an average income of $81,953 against $97,189 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Douglas County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Douglas County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Douglas County
Cities and places in Douglas.
11 Census places lie wholly or partly in Douglas County. All 11 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | city | 14,735 | 75 | Wholly in this county |
| Osakis | city | 1,623 | 7 | 82.8 percent here, 17.2 percent Todd County |
| Evansville | city | 550 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Carlos | city | 512 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Brandon | city | 451 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
| Miltona | city | 418 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Garfield | city | 282 | 5 | Wholly in this county |
| Kensington | city | 240 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Forada | city | 161 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Nelson | city | 155 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Millerville | city | 116 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
A further 1 of the county's 94 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Douglas County, the largest being Villard (1). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.
Nearby