Carlton County, Minnesota Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 30th-largest in Minnesota

The population of Carlton County, Minnesota is 36,457 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 30th-largest county in Minnesota. The median household income is $80,042, the median home value is $232,000, and the median age is 41.7.

The population of Carlton County has grown 3.8% since 2010 (35,413 → 36,745), a +0.26% annualized rate.

Carlton County within Minnesota · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

36,457

Population

+0.26%

Annual growth

People / sq mi

$80,042

Median Income

$232,000

Median Home Value

Carlton County covers 861 sq mi of land at 42.3 people per square mile.

About Carlton County, MN

Carlton County is a county in Minnesota with a population of 36,457. It ranks #30 among counties in Minnesota by population. The median age is 41.7, older than the national median. The population is 53.0% male and 47.0% female.

The median household income in Carlton County is $80,042, above the US median of $74,580. 6.0% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $232,000, with monthly rent averaging $967. The homeownership rate of 79.4% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.

Educational attainment in Carlton County reflects 25.5% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 8.6% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 21.5 minutes each way.

Carlton County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Carlton County had a population of 35,413 in 2010 and 36,745 in 2024, a 3.8% growth over 14 years. The peak was 36,745 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.26%.

36,745

Population (2024)

35,413

Population (2010)

36,745

Peak (2024)

0.26%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	35,413	-	-	estimate
2011	35,436	+23	+0.06%	estimate
2012	35,264	-172	-0.49%	estimate
2013	35,265	+1	+0.00%	estimate
2014	35,357	+92	+0.26%	estimate
2015	35,400	+43	+0.12%	estimate
2016	35,550	+150	+0.42%	estimate
2017	35,498	-52	-0.15%	estimate
2018	35,816	+318	+0.90%	estimate
2019	35,913	+97	+0.27%	estimate
2020	36,187	+274	+0.76%	estimate
2021	36,442	+255	+0.70%	estimate
2022	36,501	+59	+0.16%	estimate
2023	36,717	+216	+0.59%	estimate
2024	36,745	+28	+0.08%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	88.0%
Black or African American	2.1%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	7.1%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

41.7

Median Age

47.0%

Female

53.0%

Male

18.2%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

5.1%

5–9

5.9%

10–14

6.8%

15–19

6.2%

20–24

5.1%

25–34

11.7%

35–44

13.8%

45–54

12.9%

55–59

6.7%

60–64

7.6%

65–74

10.9%

75–84

5.1%

85+

2.2%

Children (under 15): 17.8% · Seniors (65+): 18.2%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$80,042$-7,514 vs state
Mean household income	$95,960
Per-capita income	$37,608
Poverty rate	6.0%+0.5% vs state
Unemployment rate	2.4%
Employment-to-population	57.5%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

29.6%

Manufacturing

11.2%

Public administration

7.4%

Finance & real estate

7.3%

Construction

6.9%

Education & health care

6.7%

Retail trade

6.7%

Information

5.4%

The largest employment sector in Carlton County is professional & business services, accounting for 29.6% of workers.

How residents commute

0.3%

Drive alone

1.9%

Carpool

80.0%

Public transit

8.6%

Work from home

21.5 min

Avg commute

Housing

$232,000$-73,500 vs state

Median home value

$967

Median rent

79.4%

Homeownership rate

15,830

Total housing units

88.3%

Occupied

11.7%

Vacant

20.6%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

95.2%

With health insurance

94.1%

With broadband internet

17.4%

Foreign-born

7.9%

Veterans (18+)

15.6%

With a disability

96.7%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

93.5%

High School+

25.5%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Minnesota

Minneapolis (426,845)St. Paul (307,762)Rochester (121,638)Bloomington (88,838)Duluth (86,863)Brooklyn Park (84,349)Plymouth (79,526)Woodbury (76,945)Lakeville (72,480)Blaine (71,261)All Minnesota cities →

Other counties in Minnesota

Hennepin County (1,268,903)Ramsey County (544,438)Dakota County (442,204)Anoka County (367,095)Washington County (272,298)St. Louis County (200,056)Olmsted County (163,425)Stearns County (159,358)Scott County (152,957)Wright County (145,270)All Minnesota counties →

Part of Minnesota

Minnesota demographic profile All Minnesota data →

Metro areas in Minnesota

Minneapolis (3,693,351)Sioux Falls (293,107)Duluth (280,710)Fargo (254,914)Rochester (227,252)St. Cloud (200,816)La Crosse (169,945)Mankato (103,736)All US metros →

County rankings

US Counties by Population Richest US Counties by Median Household Income Expensive US Counties by Home Value Educated US Counties Counties With Highest Poverty Rates Youngest US Counties by Median Age Oldest US Counties by Median Age Cheapest US Counties by Median Home Value Racially Diverse US Counties Counties With Largest Hispanic Population All rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Carlton County, Minnesota has a population of 36,457 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 30th-largest county in Minnesota. Population density is 42 people per square mile.

The population of Carlton County has grown 3.8% since 2010 (35,413 → 36,745), a +0.26% annualized rate.

The median household income in Carlton County, Minnesota is $80,042, with mean (average) household income of $95,960 and per-capita income of $37,608. 6.0% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Carlton County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (88.0%), Hispanic or Latino (7.1%), Black or African American (2.1%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Carlton County, Minnesota is 41.7 years. Residents are 47.0% female and 53.0% male.

The median home value in Carlton County is $232,000 and median monthly rent is $967. 79.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 15,830 total housing units, 11.7% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Carlton County, Minnesota is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 29.6% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.4%.

Minneapolis is among the largest cities associated with Carlton County, Minnesota, with a population of 426,845.