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Rush Lake

A township of 1,035 people in Otter Tail County, Minnesota
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Around town

The places and views that make it Rush Lake

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Outdoors in Rush Lake

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Conserved land2.2%479 of 22,060 acres
Trails1.8 mi0.1 mi per sq mi
Parks & preserves1named on the map

Know a trail or park that’s missing? Anyone can add it to OpenStreetMap, and it shows up here on the next refresh.

Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US

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Know Rush Lake

The town at a glance, and the guide to how things work

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About Rush Lake

Township in Minnesota, United States
1,035Population
34.7 sq miArea
1,342 ftElevation

Rush Lake Township is a township in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 1,035 at the 2020 census. Rush Lake Township was organized in 1871.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Town numbers

Living in Rush Lake

Work & commute in Rush Lake

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Most working residents leave Rush Lake for work: only 1% work in town. The top destinations are Perham (20%), New York Mills (18%) and Wadena (8%). Half commute less than 19 miles.

Perham
20%
New York Mills
18%
Wadena
8%
Detroit Lakes
5%
Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Rush Lake →

Health in Rush Lake

Compared with Minnesota

3better than MN·9worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 20 are too close to call.

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

Care nearby

Perham HealthPerham · 6.6 mi · ER · rural critical access
Community Health Service Inc. MoorheadMoorhead · 60.7 mi · sliding-scale fees
Primary careShortage · Rush Lake
DentalShortage · county-wide
Mental healthShortage · county-wide
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · ZIP codes 56573, 56576, 56571 · CMS · HRSAHealth in Rush Lake →

Natural hazards in Rush Lake

48
Moderate

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 48% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🥶 Cold waves🌪️ Tornadoes
FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Rush Lake →

Climate in Rush Lake

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Rush Lake has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 80°, a January night drops to -1°, and about 46 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

22° / 3°Winter
52° / 31°Spring
78° / 56°Summer
54° / 34°Fall
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Rush Lake →

Libraries near Rush Lake

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Nearest: Perham Area Public LibraryPerham · 6.9 miles · 45 hrs a week
Famous people from Rush LakeWriters, athletes, leaders and more who were born in Rush Lake.Meet them →

How things work in Rush Lake

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We left the porch light on

Where to, neighbor?

You’re in Rush Lake, MNOtter Tail CountyView boundary

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Boundary source: https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer/15 · 2025-01-01