Fergus Falls is a city located in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 13,471. It is the county seat of Otter Tail County⁶.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 36.5 km² (14.1 mi²). 33.8 km² (13.1 mi²) of it is land and 2.7 km² (1.0 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 7.44% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 13,471 people, 5,633 households, and 3,306 families residing in the city. The population density is 398.3/km² (1,031.5/mi²). There are 5,909 housing units at an average density of 174.7/km² (452.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 97.02% White, 0.62% African American, 0.76% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.20% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. 0.91% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 5,633 households out of which 28.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% are married couples living together, 9.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 41.3% are non-families. 35.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 18.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.25 and the average family size is 2.94.

In the city the population is spread out with 23.0% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 22.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 89.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 85.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $31,454, and the median income for a family is $44,280. Males have a median income of $32,051 versus $20,841 for females. The per capita income for the city is $18,929. 10.8% of the population and 7.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 11.4% of those under the age of 18 and 10.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.