Deer River ZIP Codes — Itasca County, MN

There is one unique ZIP code in Deer River, Minnesota and it is 56636. Area code: 218.

ZIP codes

436.90

sq mi land

53.65

sq mi water

218

area code

Deer River, MN ZIP code map

About Deer River, MN

Deer River is a charming city located in Itasca County, Minnesota. Known for its picturesque landscapes and abundant outdoor recreational opportunities, it serves as a hub for those who appreciate nature. The city is rich in history and community spirit, making it a unique destination in northern Minnesota.

Location & geography

Geographically, Deer River covers a significant area that includes both land and water, with a total land area of 436.90 square miles and a water area of 53.65 square miles. The city is situated approximately 26 miles northeast of Grand Rapids and 40 miles south of Bemidji. Its landscape features a mix of forests, lakes, and rivers, making it a favored spot for outdoor activities.

Community & economy

Deer River has a vibrant community characterized by its welcoming atmosphere and strong local businesses. The economy largely revolves around tourism, logging, and other natural resource industries, which contribute to the town's identity. Residents enjoy a daily life enriched by community events, outdoor recreation, and a connection to the area's Native American heritage.

Transportation

Transportation in Deer River is primarily facilitated by Minnesota State Highway 6 and State Highway 2, which connect the city to neighboring areas. The nearest major airport is the Bemidji Regional Airport, located about 40 miles away, providing access to commercial flights. There are also local transit options available for residents.

History

Deer River was founded in the late 19th century, initially serving as a timber town during Minnesota's logging boom. The city has witnessed significant development over the years, with key industries evolving from logging to tourism and recreation. Notable events in its history include the establishment of local parks and annual community festivals that celebrate its cultural heritage.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Deer River is that it is home to the annual Great Minnesota Bear Hunt, attracting hunters from various regions. Additionally, the city is known for its close-knit community and numerous outdoor recreational opportunities that draw nature enthusiasts year-round.

ZIP codes for Deer River, MN (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
56636	Deer River	Itasca	View map

Demographics & statistics

4,938

Population

47.1

Median age

$63,942

Median household income

$30,360

Per capita income

$180,900

Median home value

$683

Median monthly rent

87.9%

Home ownership

14.5%

Poverty rate

4.8%

Unemployment

2,790

Housing units

21.2%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

152

Under 5

133

141

5–9

124

165

10–14

145

165

15–19

144

171

20–24

150

203

25–34

177

265

35–44

232

304

45–54

266

195

55–59

170

228

60–64

200

431

65–74

377

175

75–84

154

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,036	21.0%
18 and over	3,902	79.0%
65 and over	1,208	24.5%
Median age	47.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 78.1%

American Indian / Alaska Native 12.8%

Two or more races 6.5%

Hispanic or Latino 1.7%

Other race 0.5%

Black or African American 0.4%

Group	Count	%
White	3,919	78.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native	645	12.8%
Two or more races	325	6.5%
Hispanic or Latino	83	1.7%
Other race	26	0.5%
Black or African American	21	0.4%

Household income

Under $10k 4.1%

$10k–$15k 3.5%

$15k–$25k 9.3%

$25k–$35k 10.0%

$35k–$50k 13.0%

$50k–$75k 20.2%

$75k–$100k 13.8%

$100k–$150k 14.4%

$150k–$200k 8.0%

$200k+ 3.6%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.1%
$10k–$15k	3.5%
$15k–$25k	9.3%
$25k–$35k	10.0%
$35k–$50k	13.0%
$50k–$75k	20.2%
$75k–$100k	13.8%
$100k–$150k	14.4%
$150k–$200k	8.0%
$200k+	3.6%
Median income	$63,942

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 13.2%

$50k–$100k 14.0%

$100k–$150k 13.5%

$150k–$200k 11.8%

$200k–$300k 22.4%

$300k–$500k 18.3%

$500k–$1M 6.1%

$1M+ 0.7%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$180,900
Median rent / month	$683
Owner occupied	87.9%
Renter occupied	12.1%
Vacant	37.8%
Single-family detached	82.6%
Large apartment buildings	0.5%
Mobile homes	11.9%
Median rooms	5.4
Avg household size (owned)	2.53

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	6.6%
2000–2009	18.8%
1990–1999	16.4%
1980–1989	10.6%
1970–1979	20.5%
1960–1969	8.1%
1950–1959	8.6%
1940–1949	4.8%
1939 or earlier	5.8%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.6%
1 bedroom	7.8%
2 bedrooms	33.5%
3 bedrooms	41.0%
4 bedrooms	12.8%
5+ bedrooms	3.3%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.3%
1 vehicle	23.1%
2 vehicles	42.3%
3 or more	30.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	14.0%
Electricity	18.6%
Propane / LP gas	43.2%
Fuel oil	5.5%
Wood	17.3%
No fuel used	1.0%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	997	53.1%
Cohabiting couple	176	9.4%
Male householder, no spouse	368	19.6%
Female householder, no spouse	335	17.9%
Households with children under 18	477	25.4%
Households with seniors (65+)	858	45.7%
Average household size	2.59

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	31.3%	26.0%
Married	48.9%	50.9%
Separated	0.1%	2.5%
Widowed	4.1%	7.5%
Divorced	15.6%	13.1%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.8%

Some HS, no diploma 5.3%

HS graduate 33.6%

Some college, no degree 22.8%

Associate's degree 15.2%

Bachelor's degree 15.6%

Graduate / professional 5.6%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	92.8%
Bachelor's or higher	21.2%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	47	4.7%
Kindergarten	69	7.0%
Elementary school	479	48.3%
High school	199	20.1%
College / grad school	198	20.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 28.0%

Retail trade 15.4%

Arts, food & hospitality 12.6%

Manufacturing 7.9%

Construction 7.7%

Agriculture & mining 5.8%

Transportation & utilities 5.4%

Public administration 5.2%

Other services 4.5%

Professional & management 3.2%

Finance & real estate 2.8%

Information 0.9%

Wholesale trade 0.6%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	31.0%
Service	21.5%
Sales & office	16.0%
Natural resources & construction	13.9%
Production & transportation	17.6%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	74.1%
Government	18.7%
Self-employed	6.3%
Unpaid family workers	0.9%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	78.2%
Carpool	9.2%
Public transit	0.5%
Walk	2.0%
Other means	2.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	28.6

Poverty

All people 14.5%

Under 18 years 13.6%

18 and over 14.7%

Married-couple families 3.8%

Female-led households 50.5%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	50.4%
Retirement income	36.6%
Supplemental Security	5.8%
Cash public assistance	4.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	10.6%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	32.7%
High cholesterol	32.6%
Heart disease	8.0%
Stroke	3.8%
Asthma	9.7%
Arthritis	27.8%
Kidney disease	3.4%
Pulmonary disease	7.1%
Cancer	7.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	18.2%
No physical activity	25.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	31.3%
Fair or poor health	15.2%
Poor mental health	14.5%
Poor physical health	11.8%
No health insurance	11.4%
Visited doctor (checkup)	69.5%
Visited dentist	63.5%
Cholesterol screening	89.7%
Teeth loss	11.9%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	440	11.3%

Disability	%
Any disability	16.9%
Under 18	3.9%
18–64 years	16.5%
65 and over	29.2%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	63.3%
Public insurance	48.2%
Uninsured under 19	4.3%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	4,653	94.2%
Spanish	38	0.8%
Other Indo-European	2	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	15	0.3%
Other languages	3	0.1%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	4,906	99.4%
Born in same state	4,880	98.8%
Born in different state	4,078	82.6%
Foreign born	26	0.5%
Naturalized citizen	32	0.6%
Not a US citizen	30	93.8%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	818	16.6%
Italian	542	11%
French	380	7.7%
Arab	245	5%
German	72	1.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
Dutch	62	1.3%
English	51	1%
Irish	2	0%
Norwegian	2	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	38.0%
Internet access	91.1%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Deer River, MN have?

Deer River, MN has one ZIP code: 56636. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.