Elbow Lake ZIP Codes — Grant County, MN

There is one unique ZIP code in Elbow Lake, Minnesota and it is 56531. Area code: 218.

ZIP codes

151.40

sq mi land

6.67

sq mi water

218

area code

Elbow Lake, MN ZIP code map

About Elbow Lake, MN

Elbow Lake is a charming city located in Grant County, Minnesota. Known for its beautiful landscapes and tight-knit community, it provides a warm atmosphere for both residents and visitors. The city has a rich cultural heritage that reflects the history and diversity of the region.

Location & geography

Elbow Lake is situated in west-central Minnesota and covers a total land area of 151.40 square miles. It is bordered by several other cities, including Barrett to the north, Ashby to the east, and Hoffman to the south, with each being a short drive away. The area also features a significant amount of water, as it has 6.67 square miles dedicated to lakes and rivers, contributing to its picturesque scenery.

Community & economy

The community of Elbow Lake is characterized by its friendly residents and community-oriented lifestyle. Agricultural and small business industries form the backbone of the local economy, providing essential services and products. Daily life here includes local events, gatherings, and activities that foster a sense of belonging and pride among its citizens.

Transportation

Elbow Lake is easily accessible via State Highway 59, which connects to other major routes in the region. The nearest major airport is the Alexandria Municipal Airport, located approximately 30 miles to the southeast, offering flight services for travelers. Public transportation options are limited, emphasizing the importance of personal vehicles for commuting.

History

Elbow Lake was founded in the late 19th century and has since developed a unique historical identity. Its economy was initially driven by agriculture and logging, with notable events such as community festivals celebrating local traditions. The city has retained its historical charm while adapting to modern changes, ensuring its ongoing relevance.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Elbow Lake is that it is home to a variety of local wildlife, attracting nature enthusiasts and bird watchers alike. The town also hosts several annual events that draw visitors from surrounding areas, showcasing its vibrant community spirit.

ZIP codes for Elbow Lake, MN (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
56531	Elbow Lake	Grant	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,915

Population

41.8

Median age

$68,056

Median household income

$41,888

Per capita income

$160,000

Median home value

$735

Median monthly rent

77.0%

Home ownership

12.0%

Poverty rate

3.9%

Unemployment

760

Housing units

21.1%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

124

25–34

118

132

35–44

125

45–54

55–59

60–64

129

65–74

122

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	466	24.3%
18 and over	1,449	75.7%
65 and over	409	21.4%
Median age	41.8 years

Race & ethnicity

White 92.6%

Two or more races 4.2%

Hispanic or Latino 1%

Other race 1%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.9%

Asian 0.2%

Black or African American 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	1,791	92.6%
Two or more races	81	4.2%
Hispanic or Latino	20	1%
Other race	19	1%
American Indian / Alaska Native	17	0.9%
Asian	4	0.2%
Black or African American	3	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 2.8%

$10k–$15k 6.4%

$15k–$25k 9.3%

$25k–$35k 7.9%

$35k–$50k 14.0%

$50k–$75k 15.4%

$75k–$100k 13.1%

$100k–$150k 17.7%

$150k–$200k 7.0%

$200k+ 6.3%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.8%
$10k–$15k	6.4%
$15k–$25k	9.3%
$25k–$35k	7.9%
$35k–$50k	14.0%
$50k–$75k	15.4%
$75k–$100k	13.1%
$100k–$150k	17.7%
$150k–$200k	7.0%
$200k+	6.3%
Median income	$68,056

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 7.1%

$50k–$100k 18.5%

$100k–$150k 21.4%

$150k–$200k 16.7%

$200k–$300k 15.6%

$300k–$500k 12.1%

$500k–$1M 7.5%

$1M+ 1.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$160,000
Median rent / month	$735
Owner occupied	77.0%
Renter occupied	23.0%
Vacant	16.6%
Single-family detached	81.6%
Large apartment buildings	1.3%
Mobile homes	4.1%
Median rooms	6.2
Avg household size (owned)	2.45

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	4.4%
2000–2009	11.1%
1990–1999	11.3%
1980–1989	5.9%
1970–1979	14.0%
1960–1969	9.4%
1950–1959	11.6%
1940–1949	7.6%
1939 or earlier	24.9%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	6.9%
2 bedrooms	34.8%
3 bedrooms	31.7%
4 bedrooms	20.9%
5+ bedrooms	5.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	3.4%
1 vehicle	25.9%
2 vehicles	38.5%
3 or more	32.1%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	2.7%
Electricity	32.1%
Propane / LP gas	44.0%
Fuel oil	15.2%
Wood	2.8%
No fuel used	1.3%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	413	52.7%
Cohabiting couple	70	8.9%
Male householder, no spouse	148	18.9%
Female householder, no spouse	153	19.5%
Households with children under 18	239	30.5%
Households with seniors (65+)	275	35.1%
Average household size	2.41

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	30.0%	19.6%
Married	55.3%	57.0%
Separated	3.2%	0.4%
Widowed	4.8%	9.2%
Divorced	6.7%	13.8%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.0%

Some HS, no diploma 5.6%

HS graduate 29.2%

Some college, no degree 24.2%

Associate's degree 17.8%

Bachelor's degree 15.6%

Graduate / professional 5.5%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	92.3%
Bachelor's or higher	21.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	38	9.2%
Kindergarten	35	8.5%
Elementary school	195	47.4%
High school	102	24.8%
College / grad school	41	10.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 21.9%

Retail trade 13.6%

Construction 11.0%

Manufacturing 10.5%

Arts, food & hospitality 8.9%

Professional & management 7.6%

Finance & real estate 7.0%

Agriculture & mining 6.7%

Other services 3.9%

Transportation & utilities 3.4%

Wholesale trade 3.0%

Public administration 1.4%

Information 1.1%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	31.0%
Service	18.5%
Sales & office	24.4%
Natural resources & construction	11.6%
Production & transportation	14.5%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	77.9%
Government	14.6%
Self-employed	7.5%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	79.2%
Carpool	4.8%
Public transit	0.3%
Walk	6.3%
Other means	1.6%
Avg commute (minutes)	22.0

Poverty

All people 12.0%

Under 18 years 21.1%

18 and over 9.2%

Married-couple families 2.9%

Female-led households 26.6%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	36.5%
Retirement income	18.6%
Supplemental Security	3.6%
Cash public assistance	6.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	9.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	33.5%
High cholesterol	32.6%
Heart disease	7.7%
Stroke	3.6%
Asthma	9.2%
Arthritis	27.9%
Kidney disease	3.3%
Pulmonary disease	7.0%
Cancer	7.9%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	17.8%
No physical activity	23.5%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	27.2%
Fair or poor health	14.0%
Poor mental health	13.5%
Poor physical health	10.7%
No health insurance	11.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)	72.2%
Visited dentist	66.4%
Cholesterol screening	90.2%
Teeth loss	12.5%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	107	7.4%

Disability	%
Any disability	16.6%
Under 18	5.6%
18–64 years	16.7%
65 and over	28.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	60.0%
Public insurance	54.2%
Uninsured under 19	7.4%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,809	94.5%
Spanish	4	0.2%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	4	0.2%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,906	99.5%
Born in same state	1,904	99.4%
Born in different state	1,577	82.3%
Foreign born	2	0.1%
Naturalized citizen	9	0.5%
Not a US citizen	3	33.3%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	738	38.5%
Italian	93	4.9%
French	89	4.6%
Arab	66	3.4%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	38	2%
Dutch	26	1.4%
German	13	0.7%
Irish	10	0.5%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	40.9%
Internet access	94.3%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Elbow Lake, MN have?

Elbow Lake, MN has one ZIP code: 56531. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.