Erskine is a city located in Polk County, Minnesota. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 437.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.6 km² (1.0 mi²). 1.9 km² (0.7 mi²) of it is land and 0.7 km² (0.3 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 26.73% water.

As of the census² of 2000, there were 437 people, 203 households, and 111 families residing in the city. The population density was 228.0/km² (590.0/mi²). There were 250 housing units at an average density of 130.4/km² (337.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.99% White, 0.23% African American, 5.49% Native American, 0.00% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.00% from other races, and 2.29% from two or more races. 0.23% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 203 households out of which 25.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.9% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.3% were non-families. 42.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 25.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 20.4% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 26.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 84.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,771, and the median income for a family was $35,278. Males had a median income of $33,333 versus $19,375 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,122. 18.1% of the population and 17.3% of families were below the poverty line. 37.8% of those under the age of 18 and 7.3% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Erskine is home to the Garden Valley Telephone Company, the oldest telephone cooperative in the state, which serves northwestern Minnesota. It was formed to provide telephone coverage to the region at a time when it was difficult to get telephone service to the area.

Erskine's town festival is known as the Water Carnival, and is held in early June. Erskine lays claim to having the largest Northern Pike in the world, a statue on the shores of Lake Cameron. It is also the hometown of actress and singer Jamie Foss, winner of 2004's Superstar USA. In addition, it is the center of a community of Russian Old Believers estimated at between 50 and 100 families.

• [http://www.countryscribe.com/weblog/2003_10_19_archive.html Click here and Page Down to "Elena's Place" for an Interview with an Erskine Old Believer.
• A 1999 Article How and Why the Old Believers moved to Erskine.