Cook County, Minnesota Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 80th-largest in Minnesota
The population of Cook County, Minnesota is 5,633 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 80th-largest county in Minnesota. The median household income is $71,643, the median home value is $294,000, and the median age is 52.3.
The population of Cook County has grown 7.9% since 2010 (5,161 → 5,571), a +0.55% annualized rate.
5,633
Population
+0.55%
Annual growth
4
People / sq mi
$71,643
Median Income
$294,000
Median Home Value
Cook County covers 1,453 sq mi of land at 3.9 people per square mile.
About Cook County, MN
Cook County skews on age — the median resident is 52.3, older than the national median. Cook County is a county in Minnesota with a population of 5,633.
The typical household earns $71,643 a year, below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate, 5.5%, is on the lower side for US counties and below the national 12.4%. Home values run above average at $294,000, with typical rent around $886.
Degree attainment is near the top of the range for US counties: 45.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s, above the 35.0% national rate. Working from home is common here: 18.8% of workers do so, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 16 minutes each way.
The age structure shapes everything downstream in Cook County — from housing demand to the mix of working-age earners reflected in the income figures above.
Cook County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Cook County had a population of 5,161 in 2010 and 5,571 in 2024, a 7.9% growth over 14 years. The peak was 5,732 in 2022. Average annual growth rate: 0.56%.
5,571
Population (2024)
5,161
Population (2010)
5,732
Peak (2022)
0.56%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 5,161 |
| 2011 | 5,210 |
| 2012 | 5,181 |
| 2013 | 5,188 |
| 2014 | 5,246 |
| 2015 | 5,249 |
| 2016 | 5,346 |
| 2017 | 5,413 |
| 2018 | 5,413 |
| 2019 | 5,416 |
| 2020 | 5,599 |
| 2021 | 5,632 |
| 2022 | 5,732 |
| 2023 | 5,643 |
| 2024 | 5,571 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 85.1% |
| Black or African American | 0.5% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 10.6% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
52.3
Median Age
50.4%
Female
49.6%
Male
30.1%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 12.7% · Seniors (65+): 30.1%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $71,643$-15,913 vs state |
| Mean household income | $93,449 |
| Per-capita income | $45,390 |
| Poverty rate | 5.5% |
| Unemployment rate | 1.5% |
| Employment-to-population | 59.8% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Cook County is education & health care, accounting for 23.9% of workers.
How residents commute
0.1%
Drive alone
7.5%
Carpool
62.7%
Public transit
18.8%
Work from home
15.8 min
Avg commute
Housing
$294,000$-11,500 vs state
Median home value
$886
Median rent
79.6%
Homeownership rate
6,024
Total housing units
44.8%
Occupied
55.2%
Vacant
20.4%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
94.2%
With health insurance
97.8%
With broadband internet
31.0%
Foreign-born
7.9%
Veterans (18+)
13.2%
With a disability
95.1%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
97.3%
High School+
45.6%
Bachelor's+
Largest cities in Minnesota
Other counties in Minnesota
Part of Minnesota
Metro areas in Minnesota
County rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Cook County, Minnesota has a population of 5,633 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 80th-largest county in Minnesota. Population density is 4 people per square mile.
The population of Cook County has grown 7.9% since 2010 (5,161 → 5,571), a +0.55% annualized rate.
The median household income in Cook County, Minnesota is $71,643, with mean (average) household income of $93,449 and per-capita income of $45,390. 5.5% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Cook County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (85.1%), Hispanic or Latino (10.6%), Black or African American (0.5%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Cook County, Minnesota is 52.3 years. Residents are 50.4% female and 49.6% male.
The median home value in Cook County is $294,000 and median monthly rent is $886. 79.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 6,024 total housing units, 55.2% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Cook County, Minnesota is education, health care, and social assistance, employing 23.9% of workers. The unemployment rate is 1.5%.
Minneapolis is among the largest cities associated with Cook County, Minnesota, with a population of 426,845.
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.