Cottage Grove, Minnesota Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Cottage Grove, Minnesota is 40,124 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 25th-largest city in Minnesota. The median household income is $121,452, the median home value is $359,600, and the median age is 36.8.
The population has grown 23.2% since 2010 (34,715 → 42,760).
40,124
Population
1193
People / sq mi
$121,452
Median Income
$359,600
Median Home Value
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Cottage Grove covers 33.6 sq mi of land at 1193 people per square mile.
About Cottage Grove, MN
Homeownership is the standout figure in Cottage Grove: 88.4% of homes are owner-occupied, higher than the national rate. Cottage Grove is a city in Minnesota with a population of 40,124. It ranks #25 among cities in Minnesota by population.
Median household income is $121,452, above the US median of $78,538. Only 2.7% of residents live in poverty, below the national 12.4%. The typical home is valued at $359,600, with typical rent around $1,644.
Degree attainment is mid-range for US cities: 39.3% of adults hold a four-year degree, above the national 35.0%. About 19.3% of workers primarily work from home, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 25 minutes each way.
The ownership rate anchors the housing story in Cottage Grove, and tends to move with the age structure and home-value figures above.
Cottage Grove city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Cottage Grove city had a population of 34,715 in 2010 and 42,760 in 2024, a 23.2% growth over 14 years. The peak was 42,760 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 1.50%.
42,760
Population (2024)
34,715
Population (2010)
42,760
Peak (2024)
1.50%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 34,715 |
| 2011 | 34,949 |
| 2012 | 35,188 |
| 2013 | 35,366 |
| 2014 | 35,567 |
| 2015 | 35,738 |
| 2016 | 35,897 |
| 2017 | 36,683 |
| 2018 | 37,185 |
| 2019 | 37,604 |
| 2020 | 38,990 |
| 2021 | 39,966 |
| 2022 | 41,085 |
| 2023 | 42,108 |
| 2024 | 42,760 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 76.9% |
| Black or African American | 5.7% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.0% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$121,452
Median Household Income
$47,794
Per Capita Income
2.7%
Poverty Rate
2.5%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$359,600
Median Home Value
$1,644
Median Rent
88.4%
Owner-Occupied
Education
95.4%
High School+
39.3%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.8%
Drive Alone
71.2%
Public Transit
19.3%
Work From Home
24.6 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
20.4%
Foreign Born
87.2%
Non-English at Home
6.7%
Veterans
9.1%
With Disability
97.4%
Health Insurance
97.0%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 25.4% |
| Manufacturing | 14.6% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 8.5% |
| Information | 8.5% |
| Public Administration | 7.2% |
| Construction | 6.6% |
| Retail Trade | 6.0% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 4.8% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 3.7% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 0.8% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.8% |
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Part of Minnesota
Metro areas in Minnesota
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Cottage Grove, Minnesota has a population of 40,124 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 25th-largest city in Minnesota.
The median household income in Cottage Grove, Minnesota is $121,452, with 2.7% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Cottage Grove, Minnesota is $359,600, with median monthly rent at $1,644 and a homeownership rate of 88.4%.
The median age in Cottage Grove, Minnesota is 36.8 years. The population is 50.4% male and 49.6% female.
The population has grown 23.2% since 2010 (34,715 → 42,760).
Where to stay in Cottage Grove
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.