Median Age
35 Years
Largest Age Group
5-14 Years
Approximately 15% of Residents
Under 20
29%
Over 65
17%
Willmar, MN Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,045
Population
20,754
Renter Mix
44% Rent
Savor lakeside recreation and small-town charm in central Minnesota
Suburban
•
Lakeside
•
Scenic
Willmar is the county seat of Kandiyohi County and the regional hub of southwest-central Minnesota, set among rich farmland, scenic lakes, and rolling hills about 95 miles west of the Twin Cities. With a 2020 population of just over 21,000, it offers many of the amenities of a larger city (regional healthcare, shopping, and services) while keeping a small-town feel. The city grew up as a division point on the Great Northern Railway, and that railroad heritage remains part of its identity today. Ridgewater College, a community and technical college serving several thousand students, adds an educational anchor.
Rentals in Willmar span single-family homes, townhomes, and apartment communities, with costs generally below the Twin Cities metro. The local economy leans on agriculture (turkey processing is a signature industry) along with healthcare, government, and trade, supported by the MinnWest Technology Campus. Community life includes the June Willmar Fests celebration, which combines Aqua Fest, International Fest, and Kaffe Fest, plus free summer concerts at Robbins Island Regional Park and a lively local arts scene.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$56,060
Average: $67,751
Education
3,733
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
10,755
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Willmar has more homeowners than renters.
Renters
44%
Non-Renters
56%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
14%
Other Education
86%
Rent Trends
As of August 2026, the average apartment rent in Willmar, MN is $872 for a studio, $1,045 for one bedroom, $1,055 for two bedrooms, and $1,289 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Willmar has increased by 1.3% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,045/month
632 Sq Ft
Learn More About Willmar
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Willmar, MN is for everyday living.
Somewhat Walkable
Walkability
20
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
90
/ 100
Fairly Bikeable
Bikeability
50
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades PK-5
672 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
649 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
649 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
565 Students
Prairie Lakes Education Center
Public
Grades K-12
36 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
842 Students
Prairie Lakes Education Center
Public
Grades K-12
36 Students
Public
Grades K-12
33 Students
Public
Grades K-12
19 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
11 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,224 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,224 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
91 Students
Prairie Lakes Education Center
Public
Grades K-12
36 Students
Public
Grades K-12
33 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center
Top Apartments in Willmar
Houses for Rent in Willmar
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Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in June 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.