Detroit Lakes ZIP Codes — Becker County, MN

There are 2 unique ZIP codes in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Area code: 218.

ZIP codes

186.87

sq mi land

32.10

sq mi water

218

area code

Detroit Lakes, MN ZIP code map

About Detroit Lakes, MN

Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, is a charming city located in Becker County. Known for its beautiful lakes and recreational opportunities, it serves as a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Detroit Lakes also exudes a welcoming community spirit that is evident in its vibrant local events and friendly residents.

Location & geography

Situated in west-central Minnesota, Detroit Lakes lies approximately 40 miles from Fargo, North Dakota, and about 25 miles from Moorhead, Minnesota. The city encompasses a land area of 186.87 square miles and features a significant water area of 32.10 square miles, making it a picturesque location filled with lakes and natural beauty. The terrain is characterized by rolling hills and densely wooded areas, offering plenty of opportunities for fishing, boating, and hiking.

Community & economy

The character of Detroit Lakes is deeply rooted in its outdoor lifestyle, attracting visitors during all seasons for activities such as fishing, swimming, and ice fishing. Key industries in the area include tourism, healthcare, and manufacturing, which contribute to the local economy and provide residents with various employment opportunities. Daily life in Detroit Lakes is enriched by community events, festivals, and a strong commitment to preserving the environment and enhancing the quality of life for its residents.

Transportation

Detroit Lakes is well-served by Highway 10 and Highway 34, which provide convenient access to surrounding areas and neighboring towns. The nearest airport is the Detroit Lakes Airport, which supports small aircraft, while larger commercial flights can be found at Moorhead's Hector International Airport, located about 35 miles away.

History

Detroit Lakes was founded in the early 1800s and has grown significantly since its establishment. Originally a logging and agricultural community, it became a prominent tourist destination due to its beautiful lakes and recreational opportunities in the late 19th century. Over the years, Detroit Lakes has hosted numerous festivals and events that showcase its rich cultural heritage.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Detroit Lakes is that the city is home to the annual 'World's Largest Muskie' statue, which is a popular roadside attraction. Additionally, its proximity to over 400 lakes makes it a prime location for summer tourism and water-based activities.

ZIP codes for Detroit Lakes, MN (2)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
56501	Detroit Lakes	Becker	View map
56502	Detroit Lakes	Becker	View map

Demographics & statistics

18,085

Population

43.3

Median age

$68,413

Median household income

$42,333

Per capita income

$275,000

Median home value

$913

Median monthly rent

72.5%

Home ownership

9.7%

Poverty rate

3.7%

Unemployment

7,854

Housing units

31.5%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

506

Under 5

511

615

5–9

620

493

10–14

497

543

15–19

547

540

20–24

544

948

25–34

956

1,053

35–44

1,061

910

45–54

918

605

55–59

609

759

60–64

766

1,167

65–74

1,177

631

75–84

636

236

85+

237

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	3,983	22.0%
18 and over	14,102	78.0%
65 and over	4,084	22.6%
Median age	43.3 years

Race & ethnicity

White 91.6%

Two or more races 4.5%

American Indian / Alaska Native 1.8%

Asian 0.9%

Hispanic or Latino 0.7%

Black or African American 0.5%

Other race 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	16,689	91.6%
Two or more races	814	4.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native	322	1.8%
Asian	156	0.9%
Hispanic or Latino	132	0.7%
Black or African American	90	0.5%
Other race	14	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 5.3%

$10k–$15k 3.7%

$15k–$25k 6.4%

$25k–$35k 9.7%

$35k–$50k 11.6%

$50k–$75k 17.9%

$75k–$100k 16.4%

$100k–$150k 14.6%

$150k–$200k 6.2%

$200k+ 8.3%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	5.3%
$10k–$15k	3.7%
$15k–$25k	6.4%
$25k–$35k	9.7%
$35k–$50k	11.6%
$50k–$75k	17.9%
$75k–$100k	16.4%
$100k–$150k	14.6%
$150k–$200k	6.2%
$200k+	8.3%
Median income	$68,413

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 4.7%

$50k–$100k 5.4%

$100k–$150k 9.5%

$150k–$200k 12.8%

$200k–$300k 23.6%

$300k–$500k 25.4%

$500k–$1M 14.3%

$1M+ 4.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$275,000
Median rent / month	$913
Owner occupied	72.5%
Renter occupied	27.5%
Vacant	24.4%
Single-family detached	76.1%
Large apartment buildings	6.7%
Mobile homes	5.3%
Median rooms	6.1
Avg household size (owned)	2.56

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.4%
2010–2019	10.4%
2000–2009	17.0%
1990–1999	11.2%
1980–1989	7.8%
1970–1979	15.5%
1960–1969	9.8%
1950–1959	8.7%
1940–1949	6.7%
1939 or earlier	12.6%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.9%
1 bedroom	6.8%
2 bedrooms	28.5%
3 bedrooms	32.0%
4 bedrooms	21.2%
5+ bedrooms	9.5%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.1%
1 vehicle	30.5%
2 vehicles	35.5%
3 or more	28.8%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	39.9%
Electricity	31.3%
Propane / LP gas	20.3%
Fuel oil	1.6%
Wood	4.6%
No fuel used	1.3%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	3,877	51.7%
Cohabiting couple	505	6.7%
Male householder, no spouse	1,356	18.1%
Female householder, no spouse	1,764	23.5%
Households with children under 18	1,988	26.5%
Households with seniors (65+)	2,736	36.5%
Average household size	2.36

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	30.9%	24.7%
Married	53.8%	53.5%
Separated	0.9%	1.1%
Widowed	3.1%	10.2%
Divorced	11.3%	10.5%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.7%

Some HS, no diploma 3.8%

HS graduate 24.5%

Some college, no degree 23.2%

Associate's degree 15.2%

Bachelor's degree 21.2%

Graduate / professional 10.3%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	94.5%
Bachelor's or higher	31.5%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	320	8.3%
Kindergarten	307	8.0%
Elementary school	1,712	44.3%
High school	944	24.4%
College / grad school	578	15.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 25.4%

Manufacturing 11.9%

Retail trade 11.6%

Arts, food & hospitality 10.3%

Construction 8.6%

Professional & management 7.0%

Transportation & utilities 5.4%

Other services 4.7%

Public administration 4.7%

Finance & real estate 4.4%

Agriculture & mining 2.5%

Information 1.8%

Wholesale trade 1.6%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	38.2%
Service	20.5%
Sales & office	16.7%
Natural resources & construction	9.4%
Production & transportation	15.2%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	77.3%
Government	14.6%
Self-employed	8.1%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	76.1%
Carpool	8.5%
Public transit	0.9%
Walk	3.1%
Other means	1.2%
Avg commute (minutes)	17.6

Poverty

All people 9.7%

Under 18 years 13.9%

18 and over 8.6%

Married-couple families 2.2%

Female-led households 19.3%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	40.4%
Retirement income	25.8%
Supplemental Security	4.8%
Cash public assistance	3.8%
Food stamps / SNAP	11.0%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	32.1%
High cholesterol	33.8%
Heart disease	7.3%
Stroke	3.4%
Asthma	9.1%
Arthritis	26.1%
Kidney disease	3.2%
Pulmonary disease	6.5%
Cancer	8.0%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	18.6%
No physical activity	21.4%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	27.8%
Fair or poor health	13.6%
Poor mental health	13.0%
Poor physical health	10.3%
No health insurance	10.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)	72.7%
Visited dentist	67.2%
Cholesterol screening	90.1%
Teeth loss	12.0%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,214	8.6%

Disability	%
Any disability	13.9%
Under 18	2.7%
18–64 years	12.5%
65 and over	29.1%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	69.3%
Public insurance	44.1%
Uninsured under 19	3.6%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	17,068	94.4%
Spanish	94	0.6%
Other Indo-European	43	0.3%
Asian & Pacific Islander	30	0.2%
Other languages	16	0.1%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	17,816	98.5%
Born in same state	17,702	97.9%
Born in different state	11,950	66.1%
Foreign born	114	0.6%
Naturalized citizen	269	1.5%
Not a US citizen	157	58.4%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	4,599	25.4%
Italian	1,303	7.2%
French	836	4.6%
Arab	548	3%
English	345	1.9%

Ancestry	Count	%
German	225	1.2%
Dutch	123	0.7%
Irish	13	0.1%
Norwegian	8	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	41.5%
Internet access	93.5%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Detroit Lakes, MN have?

Detroit Lakes, MN has one ZIP code: 56501. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.