Ottertail ZIP Codes — Otter Tail County, MN

There is one unique ZIP code in Ottertail, Minnesota and it is 56571. Area code: 218.

ZIP codes

46.34

sq mi land

16.90

sq mi water

218

area code

Ottertail, MN ZIP code map

About Ottertail, MN

Ottertail, Minnesota, is a charming small town located in the heart of Otter Tail County. Known for its picturesque landscapes and tranquil lakes, Ottertail offers a serene environment for residents and visitors alike. This vibrant community has become a popular destination for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

Location & geography

Situated in west-central Minnesota, Ottertail is approximately 20 miles east of Fergus Falls and 15 miles west of Perham. The city occupies an area of 46.34 square miles, with 16.90 square miles covered by water, making it a great spot for fishing and boating enthusiasts. The landscape is characterized by its numerous lakes and beautiful natural surroundings, making it a picturesque location for outdoors activities.

Community & economy

The character of Ottertail is defined by its close-knit community and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Local industries include tourism and small businesses that cater to visitors seeking a peaceful retreat, along with a variety of recreational activities. Daily life in Ottertail revolves around family and community events, with residents often gathering for festivals and recreational activities throughout the year.

Transportation

Ottertail is easily accessible via several highways, including Minnesota State Highway 78, which runs through the town. The nearest named airport is the Fergus Falls Municipal Airport, located about 22 miles to the west. Public transit options are limited, so most residents rely on personal vehicles for transportation.

History

Ottertail was founded in the late 19th century and has since developed into a charming community known for its natural beauty. Historically, the area was primarily reliant on agriculture and fishing industries, and these sectors remain important to the local economy today. Throughout its history, Ottertail has hosted various community events that celebrate its rich heritage and natural resources.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Ottertail is that it boasts a unique mix of over 1,000 lakes in the surrounding area, making it a prime destination for avid anglers and watersport lovers. Additionally, the town's name reflects the nearby Otter Tail River, which is an important natural feature in the region.

ZIP codes for Ottertail, MN (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
56571	Ottertail	Otter Tail	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,716

Population

59.1

Median age

$85,200

Median household income

$50,802

Per capita income

$300,400

Median home value

$913

Median monthly rent

90.8%

Home ownership

6.2%

Poverty rate

2.6%

Unemployment

1,450

Housing units

25.6%

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

130

60–64

116

214

65–74

191

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	243	14.2%
18 and over	1,473	85.8%
65 and over	575	33.5%
Median age	59.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 94.3%

Hispanic or Latino 1.8%

Two or more races 1.5%

Other race 1.1%

Asian 1%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	1,648	94.3%
Hispanic or Latino	32	1.8%
Two or more races	26	1.5%
Other race	20	1.1%
Asian	18	1%
American Indian / Alaska Native	4	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 4.0%

$10k–$15k 2.9%

$15k–$25k 6.1%

$25k–$35k 8.0%

$35k–$50k 9.7%

$50k–$75k 15.4%

$75k–$100k 15.0%

$100k–$150k 20.3%

$150k–$200k 8.0%

$200k+ 10.6%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.0%
$10k–$15k	2.9%
$15k–$25k	6.1%
$25k–$35k	8.0%
$35k–$50k	9.7%
$50k–$75k	15.4%
$75k–$100k	15.0%
$100k–$150k	20.3%
$150k–$200k	8.0%
$200k+	10.6%
Median income	$85,200

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 2.5%

$50k–$100k 6.0%

$100k–$150k 6.3%

$150k–$200k 11.0%

$200k–$300k 24.2%

$300k–$500k 28.5%

$500k–$1M 19.3%

$1M+ 2.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$300,400
Median rent / month	$913
Owner occupied	90.8%
Renter occupied	9.2%
Vacant	48.0%
Single-family detached	85.8%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	11.4%
Median rooms	6.1
Avg household size (owned)	2.19

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.3%
2010–2019	12.3%
2000–2009	20.4%
1990–1999	9.3%
1980–1989	14.8%
1970–1979	14.8%
1960–1969	9.1%
1950–1959	6.2%
1940–1949	4.3%
1939 or earlier	8.5%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.9%
1 bedroom	6.3%
2 bedrooms	24.1%
3 bedrooms	45.8%
4 bedrooms	16.3%
5+ bedrooms	5.6%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	1.4%
1 vehicle	16.8%
2 vehicles	53.9%
3 or more	27.9%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	38.4%
Electricity	27.8%
Propane / LP gas	24.7%
Fuel oil	2.8%
Wood	3.0%
No fuel used	0.6%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	552	69.7%
Cohabiting couple	32	4.0%
Male householder, no spouse	119	15.0%
Female householder, no spouse	89	11.2%
Households with children under 18	136	17.2%
Households with seniors (65+)	386	48.7%
Average household size	2.17

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	19.6%	8.5%
Married	70.8%	77.8%
Separated	0.5%	0.7%
Widowed	2.2%	6.2%
Divorced	7.0%	6.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.4%

Some HS, no diploma 3.1%

HS graduate 26.2%

Some college, no degree 25.9%

Associate's degree 18.7%

Bachelor's degree 14.7%

Graduate / professional 10.9%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	96.5%
Bachelor's or higher	25.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	20	10.3%
Kindergarten	9	4.6%
Elementary school	81	41.5%
High school	53	27.2%
College / grad school	32	16.4%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 26.4%

Retail trade 13.0%

Manufacturing 9.5%

Construction 7.8%

Professional & management 6.8%

Finance & real estate 6.4%

Wholesale trade 6.0%

Agriculture & mining 5.8%

Transportation & utilities 4.5%

Other services 4.3%

Arts, food & hospitality 3.9%

Public administration 3.5%

Information 2.1%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	45.3%
Service	11.1%
Sales & office	22.0%
Natural resources & construction	8.5%
Production & transportation	13.1%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	72.7%
Government	14.7%
Self-employed	12.5%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	70.7%
Carpool	9.3%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	2.5%
Other means	1.5%
Avg commute (minutes)	25.7

Poverty

All people 6.2%

Under 18 years 2.5%

18 and over 6.9%

Married-couple families 1.3%

Female-led households 33.3%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	49.9%
Retirement income	38.6%
Supplemental Security	7.2%
Cash public assistance	3.8%
Food stamps / SNAP	4.5%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	35.3%
High cholesterol	37.2%
Heart disease	7.8%
Stroke	3.5%
Asthma	8.6%
Arthritis	28.4%
Kidney disease	3.3%
Pulmonary disease	6.7%
Cancer	8.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	18.5%
No physical activity	20.8%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	24.7%
Fair or poor health	13.0%
Poor mental health	11.9%
Poor physical health	10.2%
No health insurance	9.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)	74.7%
Visited dentist	69.8%
Cholesterol screening	92.0%
Teeth loss	10.1%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	118	8.0%

Disability	%
Any disability	11.3%
Under 18	2.5%
18–64 years	8.1%
65 and over	20.0%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	77.2%
Public insurance	48.1%
Uninsured under 19	1.2%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,625	94.7%
Spanish	1	0.1%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	1	0.1%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,688	98.4%
Born in same state	1,683	98.1%
Born in different state	1,242	72.4%
Foreign born	5	0.3%
Naturalized citizen	28	1.6%
Not a US citizen	23	82.1%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	409	23.8%
Italian	150	8.7%
Arab	108	6.3%
French	82	4.8%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	21	1.2%
Dutch	15	0.9%
Irish	9	0.5%
German	8	0.5%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	46.2%
Internet access	93.6%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Ottertail, MN have?

Ottertail, MN has one ZIP code: 56571. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.