Side Lake ZIP Codes — Saint Louis County, MN

There is one unique ZIP code in Side Lake, Minnesota and it is 55781. Area code: 218.

ZIP codes

81.43

sq mi land

5.28

sq mi water

218

area code

Side Lake, MN ZIP code map

About Side Lake, MN

Side Lake, Minnesota, is a charming small community located in Saint Louis County. Known for its serene landscapes and natural beauty, it offers a picturesque retreat for residents and visitors alike. With a strong connection to outdoor activities, Side Lake is a hidden gem in the Northwoods of Minnesota.

Location & geography

Geographically, Side Lake is situated in the northern part of Minnesota, providing ample opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. The community is surrounded by several neighboring cities, including Chisholm at approximately 18 miles to the south, Hibbing about 20 miles to the west, and Ely roughly 33 miles to the northeast. The area encompasses a land area of 81.43 square miles and a water area of 5.28 square miles, with a mix of forested terrain and numerous lakes.

Community & economy

The character of Side Lake is defined by its close-knit community, where residents value nature and outdoor recreational activities. Key industries in the area include tourism, forestry, and small-scale agriculture, contributing to the local economy. Daily life in Side Lake often revolves around outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking, and enjoying the beautiful natural surroundings.

Transportation

Transportation in Side Lake is facilitated by several highways with Highway 169 being the main route for accessing the area. The nearest named airports include the Chisholm-Hibbing Airport, located roughly 20 miles away, providing regional access. Public transit options may be limited, so personal vehicles are commonly used for commuting.

History

Side Lake was founded as part of the expansion of small communities in the early 20th century, heavily influenced by the nearby mining activities in Saint Louis County. Key industries have historically included logging and tourism, as the area has attracted nature lovers and sports enthusiasts. Notable events, such as local festivals celebrating outdoor recreation, help foster a sense of community and tradition.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Side Lake is that it serves as home to a variety of wildlife, making it a prime spot for birdwatching and other nature-based activities. In addition, the area is characterized by its clear, pristine lakes, which are popular for fishing and boating among locals and visitors alike.

ZIP codes for Side Lake, MN (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
55781	Side Lake	Saint Louis	View map

Demographics & statistics

822

Population

55.1

Median age

$72,500

Median household income

$40,645

Per capita income

$339,000

Median home value

$1,313

Median monthly rent

94.7%

Home ownership

4.6%

Poverty rate

6.0%

Unemployment

833

Housing units

41.6%

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

60–64

65–74

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	130	15.8%
18 and over	692	84.2%
65 and over	283	34.4%
Median age	55.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 96.3%

Two or more races 2.2%

Hispanic or Latino 1%

Other race 0.4%

Black or African American 0.1%

Asian 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	799	96.3%
Two or more races	18	2.2%
Hispanic or Latino	8	1%
Other race	3	0.4%
Black or African American	1	0.1%
Asian	1	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 3.1%

$10k–$15k 0.3%

$15k–$25k 8.2%

$25k–$35k 6.3%

$35k–$50k 18.6%

$50k–$75k 14.2%

$75k–$100k 13.8%

$100k–$150k 13.8%

$150k–$200k 12.6%

$200k+ 9.1%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.1%
$10k–$15k	0.3%
$15k–$25k	8.2%
$25k–$35k	6.3%
$35k–$50k	18.6%
$50k–$75k	14.2%
$75k–$100k	13.8%
$100k–$150k	13.8%
$150k–$200k	12.6%
$200k+	9.1%
Median income	$72,500

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 1.0%

$50k–$100k 1.7%

$100k–$150k 4.3%

$150k–$200k 9.0%

$200k–$300k 25.2%

$300k–$500k 32.9%

$500k–$1M 21.6%

$1M+ 4.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$339,000
Median rent / month	$1,313
Owner occupied	94.7%
Renter occupied	5.3%
Vacant	62.6%
Single-family detached	96.9%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	2.8%
Median rooms	5.1
Avg household size (owned)	2.61

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.1%
2010–2019	4.2%
2000–2009	14.2%
1990–1999	16.8%
1980–1989	13.5%
1970–1979	15.5%
1960–1969	6.1%
1950–1959	14.7%
1940–1949	5.6%
1939 or earlier	9.1%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	7.8%
1 bedroom	5.9%
2 bedrooms	39.3%
3 bedrooms	32.9%
4 bedrooms	12.9%
5+ bedrooms	1.2%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	0.9%
1 vehicle	11.3%
2 vehicles	47.2%
3 or more	40.6%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	0.6%
Electricity	47.8%
Propane / LP gas	37.1%
Fuel oil	1.3%
Wood	12.9%
No fuel used	0.3%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	218	68.6%
Cohabiting couple	16	5.0%
Male householder, no spouse	48	15.1%
Female householder, no spouse	36	11.3%
Households with children under 18	75	23.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	188	59.1%
Average household size	2.58

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	19.0%	28.4%
Married	64.7%	62.3%
Separated	0.0%	0.0%
Widowed	4.1%	6.4%
Divorced	12.1%	2.9%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.5%

Some HS, no diploma 1.7%

HS graduate 22.9%

Some college, no degree 18.9%

Associate's degree 14.4%

Bachelor's degree 30.1%

Graduate / professional 11.5%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	97.8%
Bachelor's or higher	41.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	10	6.1%
Kindergarten	1	0.6%
Elementary school	49	29.7%
High school	86	52.1%
College / grad school	19	11.5%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 24.7%

Agriculture & mining 14.2%

Arts, food & hospitality 13.5%

Manufacturing 9.8%

Construction 8.1%

Retail trade 8.1%

Wholesale trade 4.4%

Professional & management 4.4%

Public administration 4.4%

Transportation & utilities 3.4%

Finance & real estate 3.0%

Other services 2.0%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	52.7%
Service	11.1%
Sales & office	14.9%
Natural resources & construction	10.1%
Production & transportation	11.1%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	78.7%
Government	15.9%
Self-employed	4.7%
Unpaid family workers	0.7%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	85.0%
Carpool	2.3%
Public transit	0.8%
Walk	1.1%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	35.3

Poverty

All people 4.6%

Under 18 years 0.0%

18 and over 5.5%

Married-couple families 7.8%

Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	59.7%
Retirement income	42.1%
Supplemental Security	11.6%
Cash public assistance	1.3%
Food stamps / SNAP	1.9%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	37.8%
High cholesterol	37.4%
Heart disease	8.4%
Stroke	3.7%
Asthma	9.1%
Arthritis	33.4%
Kidney disease	3.5%
Pulmonary disease	7.4%
Cancer	9.4%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	17.1%
No physical activity	21.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	30.0%
Fair or poor health	13.6%
Poor mental health	12.1%
Poor physical health	11.3%
No health insurance	8.3%
Visited doctor (checkup)	73.5%
Visited dentist	67.8%
Cholesterol screening	94.1%
Teeth loss	9.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	56	8.1%

Disability	%
Any disability	11.9%
Under 18	6.2%
18–64 years	7.8%
65 and over	20.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	86.1%
Public insurance	40.5%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	794	96.6%
Spanish	3	0.4%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	2	0.3%
Other languages	1	0.1%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	821	99.9%
Born in same state	816	99.3%
Born in different state	721	87.7%
Foreign born	5	0.6%
Naturalized citizen	1	0.1%
Not a US citizen	1	100.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	67	8.2%
Italian	66	8%
French	43	5.2%
Arab	24	2.9%

Ancestry	Count	%
Irish	8	1%
English	8	1%
German	3	0.4%
Norwegian	2	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	38.7%
Internet access	95.9%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Side Lake, MN have?

Side Lake, MN has one ZIP code: 55781. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.