Perham ZIP Codes — Otter Tail County, MN

There is one unique ZIP code in Perham, Minnesota and it is 56573. Area code: 218.

ZIP codes

137.55

sq mi land

21.30

sq mi water

218

area code

Perham, MN ZIP code map

About Perham, MN

Perham is a charming city located in the state of Minnesota, specifically within Otter Tail County. Known for its picturesque landscapes and rich community life, Perham offers a blend of small-town charm and modern amenities. With a commitment to fostering a friendly atmosphere, the city attracts both residents and visitors alike.

Location & geography

Perham is situated in the western part of Minnesota, surrounded by a scenic landscape that includes both land and water areas. It is approximately 28 miles east of Fergus Falls and about 25 miles northwest of Wadena, making it accessible to larger urban centers while maintaining its rural character. The city encompasses a land area of 137.55 square miles and has a notable water area of 21.30 square miles, contributing to its natural beauty.

Community & economy

The character of Perham is defined by its friendly residents and vibrant community spirit. The local economy is bolstered by a mix of industries, including manufacturing, agriculture, and retail. Daily life in Perham revolves around community events, recreational activities, and a strong emphasis on supporting local businesses.

Transportation

Key transportation routes in Perham include U.S. Highway 10, which provides access to nearby cities and destinations. The nearest major airport is in Fergus Falls, which serves as a regional airport for residents. Public transit options are limited, but the city promotes walkability and community engagement.

History

Perham was founded in the late 19th century and has since established itself as a hub for local industries, particularly in agriculture and manufacturing. Over the years, it has hosted several notable events that celebrate its heritage and community spirit. The city's development has been influenced by its natural resources and the commitment of its residents to maintain a vibrant community.

Did you know?

One little-known fact about Perham is that it is home to a number of lakes and parks that attract outdoor enthusiasts throughout the year. Additionally, the city hosts an annual event known as 'Perham Days,' which celebrates local culture and community togetherness.

ZIP codes for Perham, MN (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
56573	Perham	Otter Tail	View map

Demographics & statistics

6,733

Population

42.5

Median age

$64,912

Median household income

$37,903

Per capita income

$237,600

Median home value

$789

Median monthly rent

75.9%

Home ownership

10.5%

Poverty rate

12.2%

Unemployment

3,024

Housing units

29.2%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

239

Under 5

234

275

5–9

270

208

10–14

204

102

15–19

101

276

20–24

272

334

25–34

329

359

35–44

352

334

45–54

328

240

55–59

235

240

60–64

236

398

65–74

390

263

75–84

259

129

85+

126

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,551	23.0%
18 and over	5,182	77.0%
65 and over	1,565	23.2%
Median age	42.5 years

Race & ethnicity

White 82.9%

Hispanic or Latino 6.7%

Two or more races 4.6%

Other race 4.2%

Black or African American 1.4%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Asian 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	5,985	82.9%
Hispanic or Latino	486	6.7%
Two or more races	331	4.6%
Other race	302	4.2%
Black or African American	98	1.4%
American Indian / Alaska Native	10	0.1%
Asian	7	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 6.1%

$10k–$15k 5.2%

$15k–$25k 5.3%

$25k–$35k 6.9%

$35k–$50k 16.1%

$50k–$75k 16.6%

$75k–$100k 9.6%

$100k–$150k 20.1%

$150k–$200k 7.3%

$200k+ 6.8%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	6.1%
$10k–$15k	5.2%
$15k–$25k	5.3%
$25k–$35k	6.9%
$35k–$50k	16.1%
$50k–$75k	16.6%
$75k–$100k	9.6%
$100k–$150k	20.1%
$150k–$200k	7.3%
$200k+	6.8%
Median income	$64,912

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 4.3%

$50k–$100k 3.5%

$100k–$150k 13.3%

$150k–$200k 14.4%

$200k–$300k 30.5%

$300k–$500k 19.4%

$500k–$1M 12.1%

$1M+ 2.5%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$237,600
Median rent / month	$789
Owner occupied	75.9%
Renter occupied	24.1%
Vacant	25.9%
Single-family detached	76.5%
Large apartment buildings	3.8%
Mobile homes	4.8%
Median rooms	6.1
Avg household size (owned)	2.57

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	1.0%
2010–2019	11.4%
2000–2009	16.5%
1990–1999	13.9%
1980–1989	11.8%
1970–1979	11.8%
1960–1969	10.7%
1950–1959	5.7%
1940–1949	4.3%
1939 or earlier	13.0%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	3.7%
1 bedroom	4.4%
2 bedrooms	24.9%
3 bedrooms	38.8%
4 bedrooms	21.2%
5+ bedrooms	7.1%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.8%
1 vehicle	29.6%
2 vehicles	41.6%
3 or more	24.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	46.0%
Electricity	31.2%
Propane / LP gas	16.4%
Fuel oil	1.3%
Wood	3.0%
No fuel used	0.4%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,349	49.4%
Cohabiting couple	60	2.2%
Male householder, no spouse	614	22.5%
Female householder, no spouse	707	25.9%
Households with children under 18	787	28.8%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,054	38.6%
Average household size	2.40

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	26.9%	19.7%
Married	51.6%	51.0%
Separated	4.6%	0.1%
Widowed	5.3%	12.9%
Divorced	11.6%	16.3%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.7%

Some HS, no diploma 6.5%

HS graduate 26.3%

Some college, no degree 22.3%

Associate's degree 13.2%

Bachelor's degree 21.4%

Graduate / professional 7.8%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	90.9%
Bachelor's or higher	29.2%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	156	11.2%
Kindergarten	83	5.9%
Elementary school	746	53.4%
High school	190	13.6%
College / grad school	222	15.9%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 27.8%

Manufacturing 17.5%

Retail trade 9.3%

Finance & real estate 8.0%

Construction 6.2%

Professional & management 4.9%

Transportation & utilities 4.8%

Arts, food & hospitality 4.5%

Other services 4.5%

Information 3.5%

Public administration 3.1%

Agriculture & mining 3.0%

Wholesale trade 2.9%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	35.0%
Service	14.0%
Sales & office	23.9%
Natural resources & construction	10.3%
Production & transportation	16.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	82.6%
Government	11.6%
Self-employed	5.7%
Unpaid family workers	0.1%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	78.7%
Carpool	7.0%
Public transit	0.6%
Walk	6.1%
Other means	0.5%
Avg commute (minutes)	17.3

Poverty

All people 10.5%

Under 18 years 6.6%

18 and over 11.7%

Married-couple families 0.9%

Female-led households 23.3%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	40.0%
Retirement income	25.6%
Supplemental Security	6.4%
Cash public assistance	5.1%
Food stamps / SNAP	6.3%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	32.6%
High cholesterol	33.9%
Heart disease	7.3%
Stroke	3.4%
Asthma	8.8%
Arthritis	26.5%
Kidney disease	3.2%
Pulmonary disease	6.4%
Cancer	8.0%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	19.6%
No physical activity	21.7%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	24.9%
Fair or poor health	13.2%
Poor mental health	12.7%
Poor physical health	10.0%
No health insurance	11.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)	73.2%
Visited dentist	68.1%
Cholesterol screening	90.2%
Teeth loss	12.2%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	395	7.6%

Disability	%
Any disability	17.4%
Under 18	6.6%
18–64 years	12.9%
65 and over	39.7%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	78.1%
Public insurance	40.8%
Uninsured under 19	1.3%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	6,260	93.0%
Spanish	127	2.0%
Other Indo-European	124	2.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	3	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	6,599	98.0%
Born in same state	6,568	97.5%
Born in different state	4,477	66.5%
Foreign born	31	0.5%
Naturalized citizen	134	2.0%
Not a US citizen	38	28.4%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	1,269	18.8%
Italian	464	6.9%
French	345	5.1%
Arab	297	4.4%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	165	2.5%
Dutch	67	1%
German	28	0.4%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	40.5%
Internet access	91.1%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Perham, MN have?

Perham, MN has one ZIP code: 56573. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.