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% |
Largest cities in Minnesota
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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).
Cottage Grove city, MN Climate
Cottage Grove city, MN has an average annual temperature of 7.1°C (45°F) and receives about 749 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is July and the coldest is January. Figures are 1970–2000 climate normals.
7.1°C
Avg Temp
749
Precip (mm/yr)
Jul
Hottest Month
Jan
Coldest Month
| Month | Avg (°C/°F) | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| January | -11° / 13° | 20 mm |
| February | -7° / 19° | 18 mm |
| March | 0° / 31° | 43 mm |
| April | 8° / 46° | 68 mm |
| May | 15° / 59° | 88 mm |
| June | 20° / 68° | 104 mm |
| July | 22° / 72° | 102 mm |
| August | 21° / 70° | 96 mm |
| September | 16° / 60° | 84 mm |
| October | 9° / 49° | 59 mm |
| November | 0° / 32° | 42 mm |
| December | -8° / 18° | 25 mm |
1970–2000 normals from WorldClim 2.1 (~9 km grid). Precipitation can be less precise near mountains or coastlines, where rainfall varies sharply over short distances.
Best time to visit Cottage Grove city, MN
The most comfortable months to visit Cottage Grove city, MN are typically August, July and June, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low. The hottest month is July (around 28°C high). The coldest is January (near -16°C low). June is usually the wettest month.
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.