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.
Cook County, MN Climate
Cook County, MN has an average annual temperature of 2.8°C (37°F) and receives about 691 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is July and the coldest is January. Figures are 1970–2000 climate normals.
2.8°C
Avg Temp
691
Precip (mm/yr)
Jul
Hottest Month
Jan
Coldest Month
| Month | Avg (°C/°F) | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| January | -13° / 8° | 27 mm |
| February | -12° / 11° | 19 mm |
| March | -6° / 21° | 36 mm |
| April | 2° / 35° | 48 mm |
| May | 9° / 48° | 72 mm |
| June | 14° / 57° | 91 mm |
| July | 17° / 63° | 85 mm |
| August | 17° / 62° | 86 mm |
| September | 12° / 53° | 90 mm |
| October | 6° / 42° | 64 mm |
| November | -2° / 29° | 43 mm |
| December | -9° / 15° | 30 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 Cook County, MN
The most comfortable months to visit Cook County, MN are typically July, August and June, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low. The hottest month is July (around 23°C high). The coldest is January (near -19°C low). June is usually the wettest month.
Where to stay near Cook County
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.