In the West Central Lakes Region, New York Mills is located in Otter Tail County on US 10 southeast of Moorhead. Corn and dairy farming, plus the presence of a major fishing boat manufacturer, are mainstays, but tourism in on the rise.
The population estimate for July 1, 1998 was 1,087, an increase of 147 since 1990. It was named one of the top five culturally cool towns by USA Today Weekend Magazine in 1994, and featured as one of the top 50 Funky Towns in Mark Cramer's 1995 nationally recognized book, Funkytowns, USA.