Brainerd ZIP Codes — Crow Wing County, MN

There is one unique ZIP code in Brainerd, Minnesota and it is 56401. Area code: 218.

ZIP codes

322.57

sq mi land

41.47

sq mi water

218

area code

Brainerd, MN ZIP code map

About Brainerd, MN

Brainerd, Minnesota, is a vibrant city situated in Crow Wing County, known for its rich natural beauty and recreational opportunities. With a blend of urban amenities and access to vast outdoor spaces, it has become a popular destination for both residents and visitors alike. The city offers a unique charm, characterizing itself with a historic downtown, local shops, and a range of dining options.

Location & geography

Geographically, Brainerd lies in central Minnesota, providing easy access to both the Twin Cities and the scenic outdoor areas of the Brainerd Lakes region. It is located approximately 130 miles north of Minneapolis and is surrounded by beautiful lakes, including the nearby Gull Lake and the Mississippi River. The city covers a total land area of 322.57 square miles, with an additional 41.47 square miles designated as water area.

Community & economy

Brainerd's community is characterized by a friendly, small-town atmosphere that welcomes newcomers and visitors. The local economy is bolstered by tourism, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail sectors, providing diverse employment opportunities for residents. Daily life in Brainerd often revolves around community events, seasonal festivals, and outdoor activities, making it a dynamic place to live.

Transportation

Transportation in Brainerd is convenient, with U.S. Highway 210 and Minnesota State Highway 371 providing critical routes for both local and through traffic. The nearest major airport is the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport, serving as a hub for regional flights. Public transit options are limited, but existing services cater to local needs.

History

Brainerd was founded in the late 19th century, with significant growth driven by the lumber industry and the arrival of the railroad. The city played a vital role in timber production, which was a leading industry in the area during its early years. Notably, Brainerd’s historic downtown features structures that reflect its prosperous past as a lumber town.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Brainerd is that it is home to the Brainerd International Raceway, which hosts various motorsport events throughout the year. Additionally, the city has a strong arts community with local festivals celebrating culture and creativity.

ZIP codes for Brainerd, MN (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
56401	Brainerd	Crow Wing	View map

Demographics & statistics

31,347

Population

39.9

Median age

$62,275

Median household income

$33,237

Per capita income

$219,400

Median home value

$838

Median monthly rent

73.3%

Home ownership

12.2%

Poverty rate

5.2%

Unemployment

12,359

Housing units

22.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

954

Under 5

976

1,165

5–9

1,192

891

10–14

911

817

15–19

835

824

20–24

843

2,012

25–34

2,058

1,977

35–44

2,021

1,600

45–54

1,635

1,073

55–59

1,098

1,231

60–64

1,258

1,775

65–74

1,814

855

75–84

874

325

85+

333

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	7,129	22.7%
18 and over	24,218	77.3%
65 and over	5,976	19.1%
Median age	39.9 years

Race & ethnicity

White 92.6%

Hispanic or Latino 2.2%

Two or more races 2.1%

Other race 1.2%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.9%

Black or African American 0.6%

Asian 0.4%

Group	Count	%
White	29,696	92.6%
Hispanic or Latino	709	2.2%
Two or more races	663	2.1%
Other race	399	1.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native	274	0.9%
Black or African American	180	0.6%
Asian	135	0.4%

Household income

Under $10k 3.9%

$10k–$15k 4.5%

$15k–$25k 8.3%

$25k–$35k 9.1%

$35k–$50k 14.0%

$50k–$75k 19.6%

$75k–$100k 14.2%

$100k–$150k 15.7%

$150k–$200k 4.7%

$200k+ 5.9%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.9%
$10k–$15k	4.5%
$15k–$25k	8.3%
$25k–$35k	9.1%
$35k–$50k	14.0%
$50k–$75k	19.6%
$75k–$100k	14.2%
$100k–$150k	15.7%
$150k–$200k	4.7%
$200k+	5.9%
Median income	$62,275

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 6.0%

$50k–$100k 6.4%

$100k–$150k 13.9%

$150k–$200k 16.9%

$200k–$300k 27.9%

$300k–$500k 19.9%

$500k–$1M 7.5%

$1M+ 1.5%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$219,400
Median rent / month	$838
Owner occupied	73.3%
Renter occupied	26.7%
Vacant	18.9%
Single-family detached	76.3%
Large apartment buildings	4.6%
Mobile homes	7.1%
Median rooms	5.5
Avg household size (owned)	2.49

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.3%
2010–2019	6.5%
2000–2009	17.7%
1990–1999	16.6%
1980–1989	13.9%
1970–1979	14.8%
1960–1969	7.2%
1950–1959	8.0%
1940–1949	4.6%
1939 or earlier	10.4%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.9%
1 bedroom	9.9%
2 bedrooms	25.8%
3 bedrooms	36.2%
4 bedrooms	19.1%
5+ bedrooms	6.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.9%
1 vehicle	30.6%
2 vehicles	40.7%
3 or more	22.9%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	55.6%
Electricity	19.1%
Propane / LP gas	17.7%
Fuel oil	1.4%
Wood	4.8%
No fuel used	0.7%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	6,325	49.4%
Cohabiting couple	1,183	9.2%
Male householder, no spouse	2,334	18.2%
Female householder, no spouse	2,955	23.1%
Households with children under 18	3,567	27.9%
Households with seniors (65+)	3,940	30.8%
Average household size	2.39

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	34.9%	27.7%
Married	52.1%	51.6%
Separated	0.4%	0.8%
Widowed	2.5%	9.5%
Divorced	10.1%	10.5%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.2%

Some HS, no diploma 5.4%

HS graduate 31.8%

Some college, no degree 26.0%

Associate's degree 13.0%

Bachelor's degree 15.1%

Graduate / professional 7.4%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	93.4%
Bachelor's or higher	22.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	489	7.7%
Kindergarten	452	7.1%
Elementary school	3,183	49.9%
High school	1,308	20.5%
College / grad school	953	14.9%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 24.3%

Retail trade 12.3%

Arts, food & hospitality 11.1%

Manufacturing 10.8%

Construction 10.4%

Finance & real estate 6.8%

Professional & management 6.4%

Transportation & utilities 5.2%

Public administration 4.1%

Other services 3.4%

Information 1.9%

Wholesale trade 1.8%

Agriculture & mining 1.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	34.4%
Service	18.9%
Sales & office	19.1%
Natural resources & construction	11.3%
Production & transportation	16.4%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	81.1%
Government	11.6%
Self-employed	6.9%
Unpaid family workers	0.3%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	79.2%
Carpool	9.8%
Public transit	0.8%
Walk	2.1%
Other means	1.4%
Avg commute (minutes)	21.1

Poverty

All people 12.2%

Under 18 years 17.7%

18 and over 10.5%

Married-couple families 3.8%

Female-led households 36.7%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	32.5%
Retirement income	23.0%
Supplemental Security	6.6%
Cash public assistance	3.8%
Food stamps / SNAP	11.0%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	29.8%
High cholesterol	28.2%
Heart disease	6.3%
Stroke	3.1%
Asthma	9.1%
Arthritis	24.6%
Kidney disease	2.9%
Pulmonary disease	6.1%
Cancer	6.9%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	20.9%
No physical activity	21.7%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	28.5%
Fair or poor health	12.8%
Poor mental health	14.0%
Poor physical health	10.1%
No health insurance	11.3%
Visited doctor (checkup)	71.6%
Visited dentist	62.1%
Cholesterol screening	87.5%
Teeth loss	12.6%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	2,000	8.3%

Disability	%
Any disability	15.1%
Under 18	5.1%
18–64 years	14.1%
65 and over	30.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	61.8%
Public insurance	48.7%
Uninsured under 19	4.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	29,417	93.8%
Spanish	228	0.8%
Other Indo-European	69	0.2%
Asian & Pacific Islander	61	0.2%
Other languages	46	0.2%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	30,955	98.7%
Born in same state	30,806	98.3%
Born in different state	25,415	81.1%
Foreign born	149	0.5%
Naturalized citizen	392	1.3%
Not a US citizen	262	66.8%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	3,886	12.4%
Italian	3,320	10.6%
French	2,339	7.5%
Arab	1,271	4.1%

Ancestry	Count	%
German	432	1.4%
English	417	1.3%
Dutch	327	1%
Irish	82	0.3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	40.8%
Internet access	94.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Brainerd, MN have?

Brainerd, MN has one ZIP code: 56401. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.