Townapedia
Pelican rapids mn
Pelican rapids mn · LakeLida at English Wikipedia, Public domain
Pelican River - Pelican Rapids, Minnesota (37770073411)
Pelican River - Pelican Rapids, Minnesota (37770073411) · Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0
Welcome to Pelican Rapids - Lefse is Here, Minnesota (37511473570)
Welcome to Pelican Rapids - Lefse is Here, Minnesota (37511473570) · Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0
Pelican Pete, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota from above
Pelican Pete, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota from above · Skvader, CC0
Pelican Pete, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota side view
Pelican Pete, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota side view · Skvader, CC0
OAE Blyberg Home
OAE Blyberg Home · Elizabeth A. Armour, CC BY-SA 3.0

Pelican Rapids, Minnesota

Pelican Rapids is a city of 2,586 people in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, founded in 1872.

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Population2,586 +4.0% since 2019
Elevation1,306 ft 398 m
Founded1872
Land area2.6 sq mi
ZIP code56572
Nearest airportSky Crew Services LLC (KFFM) 20 mi

Why visit Pelican Rapids

Townapedia lists 1 museum or landmark, 4 parks and trails, 2 places to eat and 2 places to stay in and around town.

Highlights include O.A.E. Blyberg House.

July is the warmest month, with average highs of 80°F; January lows average -1°F, and about 50 inches of snow fall in a normal year.

About Pelican Rapids

Pelican Rapids is a city in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 2,577 at the 2020 census.

From the Wikipedia article Pelican Rapids, Minnesota (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Museums and landmarks1

O.A.E. Blyberg House

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.4 mi

Historic house in Minnesota, United States

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Parks, trails and playgrounds4

Birchwood Golf Course

Golf course · 1.2 mi

Open in Google Maps

E. L. Peterson Park

Park

Open in Google Maps

Sherin Park

Park · 0.5 mi

Open in Google Maps

Sherin Park and Campground

Park

Open in Google Maps

Restaurants and cafes2

Big John's Pelican Pizza

Restaurant · Pizza

Open in Google Maps

DQ Grill & Chill

Fast food · Ice Cream, Burger · 0.9 mi

1121 South Broadway, Pelican Rapids

Mo-Su 11:00-20:00

Open in Google Maps · +1 218-863-3320

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Where to stay2

Sherin Memorial Park/Campground

Campground

$10-$20

221 E. Mill Ave, Pelican Rapids

Open in Google Maps · +1-218-863-7076

Pelican Motel

Motel and hotel · 0.6 mi

900 North Broadway, Pelican Rapids

Open in Google Maps

History

Pelican Rapids was platted in 1872, and named for the rapids on the Pelican River. A post office has been in operation at Pelican Rapids since 1872. Pelican Rapids was incorporated in 1882.

From the History section of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Schools, colleges and libraries7

Map of Pelican Rapids

16 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.

Climate by month

0°20°40°60°80°January: 0.8 in of rainFebruary: 0.6 in of rainMarch: 1.1 in of rainApril: 2.1 in of rainMay: 3.3 in of rainJune: 3.9 in of rainJuly: 3.4 in of rainAugust: 2.7 in of rainSeptember: 2.8 in of rainOctober: 2.3 in of rainNovember: 0.9 in of rainDecember: 0.9 in of rainJanuary: 18°FFebruary: 23°FMarch: 36°FApril: 53°FMay: 67°FJune: 76°FJuly: 80°FAugust: 78°FSeptember: 70°FOctober: 55°FNovember: 38°FDecember: 24°FJanuary: -1°FFebruary: 3°FMarch: 17°FApril: 31°FMay: 45°FJune: 56°FJuly: 60°FAugust: 58°FSeptember: 49°FOctober: 35°FNovember: 21°FDecember: 7°FJFMAMJJASOND
Average high Average low Rain
Monthly table
MonthHighLowRainSnow
Jan18°F-1°F0.8 in11.4 in
Feb23°F3°F0.6 in7.7 in
Mar36°F17°F1.1 in7.2 in
Apr53°F31°F2.1 in4.1 in
May67°F45°F3.3 in0.0 in
Jun76°F56°F3.9 in0.0 in
Jul80°F60°F3.4 in0.0 in
Aug78°F58°F2.7 in0.0 in
Sep70°F49°F2.8 in0.0 in
Oct55°F35°F2.3 in1.6 in
Nov38°F21°F0.9 in6.9 in
Dec24°F7°F0.9 in10.7 in

U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Rothsay (11 mi away), NOAA NCEI.

People and cost of living

$63,917median household income
$174,100median home value
38.6median age
19.3%of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher
63.9%of homes are owner-occupied
22.4 minaverage commute
Age of residents
Under 1826%18 to 3416%35 to 6441%65 and over17%

American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.

Disaster history

Otter Tail County has had 7 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for biologicals.

  • 2020-04-07: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
  • 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
  • 2011-05-10: Severe Storms And Flooding (Flood)
  • 2010-07-02: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding (Tornado)
  • 2009-04-09: Severe Storms And Flooding (Severe Storm)
  • 2005-09-13: Hurricane Katrina Evacuation (Hurricane)

OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.

Getting there and nearby towns

Sky Crew Services LLC (KFFM) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 20 miles away.

Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.

Reviews, tips and questions

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Sources and licences

Photo credits

Page built October 30, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.