Karlstad ZIP Codes — Kittson County, MN

There is one unique ZIP code in Karlstad, Minnesota and it is 56732. Area code: 218.

ZIP codes

161.07

sq mi land

0.50

sq mi water

218

area code

Karlstad, MN ZIP code map

About Karlstad, MN

Karlstad is a charming city located in the northern part of Minnesota, specifically within Kittson County. Known for its small-town atmosphere, Karlstad offers a warm community spirit and a welcoming environment for visitors and residents alike. The city's close-knit community and rural charm make it a unique spot for those looking to experience authentic Midwestern life.

Location & geography

Karlstad is located approximately 20 miles west of the Canadian border and is part of Kittson County in Minnesota. The city is surrounded by several other small towns, including Hallock to the south, and Strathcona to the southeast, enhancing its rural charm. Covering a land area of 161.07 square miles, Karlstad has a small water area of 0.50 square miles, providing a tranquil landscape of rolling plains and wide-open spaces.

Community & economy

The character of Karlstad is defined by its friendly residents and a strong sense of community involvement. Agriculture plays a significant role in the local economy, with farming and related industries creating many job opportunities. Daily life in Karlstad is characterized by a blend of community activities, local events, and the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape.

Transportation

Highway 11 and Highway 75 serve as the main routes for transportation in and out of Karlstad, connecting it to larger cities and neighboring areas. The nearest commercial airport is located in Thief River Falls, which is about 40 miles southeast of the city. Local transit options are limited, emphasizing the importance of personal vehicles for residents.

History

Karlstad was founded in the late 19th century and has a rich agricultural history central to its development. The city has evolved over time with agriculture being the cornerstone of its economy, supporting various farming-related industries. Notable events in Karlstad's history include the establishment of local festivals that celebrate its farming heritage and community spirit.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Karlstad is that it once had a thriving railroad that played a crucial role in transporting goods and people in the early 1900s. Today, Karlstad is known for the annual Victory Festival, which celebrates the city’s heritage and fosters community pride.

ZIP codes for Karlstad, MN (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
56732	Karlstad	Kittson	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,006

Population

48.7

Median age

$59,079

Median household income

$30,298

Per capita income

$124,000

Median home value

$495

Median monthly rent

77.5%

Home ownership

10.7%

Poverty rate

2.5%

Unemployment

479

Housing units

24.1%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

35–44

45–54

55–59

60–64

65–74

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	177	17.6%
18 and over	829	82.4%
65 and over	268	26.6%
Median age	48.7 years

Race & ethnicity

White 96.1%

Two or more races 1.9%

Hispanic or Latino 0.7%

Black or African American 0.6%

Asian 0.4%

Other race 0.3%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	973	96.1%
Two or more races	19	1.9%
Hispanic or Latino	7	0.7%
Black or African American	6	0.6%
Asian	4	0.4%
Other race	3	0.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native	1	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 4.6%

$10k–$15k 5.3%

$15k–$25k 3.7%

$25k–$35k 11.0%

$35k–$50k 15.4%

$50k–$75k 22.5%

$75k–$100k 15.8%

$100k–$150k 17.0%

$150k–$200k 4.1%

$200k+ 0.7%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.6%
$10k–$15k	5.3%
$15k–$25k	3.7%
$25k–$35k	11.0%
$35k–$50k	15.4%
$50k–$75k	22.5%
$75k–$100k	15.8%
$100k–$150k	17.0%
$150k–$200k	4.1%
$200k+	0.7%
Median income	$59,079

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 10.4%

$50k–$100k 18.3%

$100k–$150k 33.1%

$150k–$200k 17.8%

$200k–$300k 14.2%

$300k–$500k 4.4%

$500k–$1M 1.8%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$124,000
Median rent / month	$495
Owner occupied	77.5%
Renter occupied	22.5%
Vacant	24.4%
Single-family detached	71.4%
Large apartment buildings	7.3%
Mobile homes	5.5%
Median rooms	5.2
Avg household size (owned)	2.20

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.3%
2010–2019	2.3%
2000–2009	6.9%
1990–1999	5.0%
1980–1989	9.7%
1970–1979	23.1%
1960–1969	15.6%
1950–1959	8.5%
1940–1949	7.5%
1939 or earlier	21.1%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.4%
1 bedroom	13.9%
2 bedrooms	28.2%
3 bedrooms	34.3%
4 bedrooms	15.8%
5+ bedrooms	6.4%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	8.5%
1 vehicle	25.7%
2 vehicles	30.3%
3 or more	35.6%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	11.7%
Electricity	27.5%
Propane / LP gas	36.5%
Fuel oil	19.7%
Wood	4.4%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	240	55.0%
Cohabiting couple	13	3.0%
Male householder, no spouse	83	19.0%
Female householder, no spouse	100	22.9%
Households with children under 18	119	27.3%
Households with seniors (65+)	152	34.9%
Average household size	2.14

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	26.2%	17.5%
Married	57.9%	62.1%
Separated	1.7%	0.0%
Widowed	8.9%	11.8%
Divorced	5.3%	8.6%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.5%

Some HS, no diploma 2.5%

HS graduate 41.9%

Some college, no degree 16.8%

Associate's degree 14.2%

Bachelor's degree 22.4%

Graduate / professional 1.6%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	97.0%
Bachelor's or higher	24.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	18	12.1%
Kindergarten	12	8.1%
Elementary school	54	36.2%
High school	47	31.5%
College / grad school	18	12.1%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 30.3%

Retail trade 16.7%

Manufacturing 14.0%

Transportation & utilities 7.8%

Wholesale trade 6.6%

Construction 6.2%

Arts, food & hospitality 4.3%

Professional & management 4.1%

Agriculture & mining 3.3%

Other services 3.1%

Public administration 1.9%

Information 1.6%

Finance & real estate 0.2%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	33.4%
Service	17.9%
Sales & office	22.7%
Natural resources & construction	8.5%
Production & transportation	17.5%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	72.8%
Government	14.4%
Self-employed	12.8%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	66.1%
Carpool	12.1%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	7.1%
Other means	1.6%
Avg commute (minutes)	27.5

Poverty

All people 10.7%

Under 18 years 17.5%

18 and over 9.1%

Married-couple families 2.5%

Female-led households 53.6%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	32.6%
Retirement income	21.3%
Supplemental Security	3.4%
Cash public assistance	5.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	10.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	37.0%
High cholesterol	36.4%
Heart disease	9.0%
Stroke	4.1%
Asthma	8.9%
Arthritis	30.1%
Kidney disease	3.8%
Pulmonary disease	7.6%
Cancer	9.2%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	16.0%
No physical activity	23.9%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	26.8%
Fair or poor health	14.8%
Poor mental health	12.6%
Poor physical health	11.3%
No health insurance	10.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)	73.6%
Visited dentist	64.6%
Cholesterol screening	91.2%
Teeth loss	13.7%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	48	5.8%

Disability	%
Any disability	10.8%
Under 18	8.5%
18–64 years	8.1%
65 and over	20.7%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	74.8%
Public insurance	39.9%
Uninsured under 19	4.8%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	940	93.4%
Spanish	3	0.3%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	3	0.3%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	997	99.1%
Born in same state	997	99.1%
Born in different state	759	75.4%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	9	0.9%
Not a US citizen	8	88.9%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	461	45.8%
Arab	50	5%
Italian	49	4.9%
French	22	2.2%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	9	0.9%
Dutch	4	0.4%
German	3	0.3%
Irish	3	0.3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	43.3%
Internet access	88.1%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Karlstad, MN have?

Karlstad, MN has one ZIP code: 56732. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.