Cottonwood County, Minnesota Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 63rd-largest in Minnesota

The population of Cottonwood County, Minnesota is 11,458 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 63rd-largest county in Minnesota. The median household income is $68,239, the median home value is $154,000, and the median age is 41.3.

The population of Cottonwood County has declined 3.2% since 2010 (11,715 → 11,338), a -0.23% annualized rate.

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

11,458

Population

-0.23%

Annual growth

People / sq mi

$68,239

Median Income

$154,000

Median Home Value

Cottonwood County covers 640 sq mi of land at 17.9 people per square mile.

About Cottonwood County, MN

Cottonwood County is a county in Minnesota with a population of 11,458. It ranks #63 among counties in Minnesota by population. The median age is 41.3, older than the national median. The population is 50.0% male and 50.0% female.

The median household income in Cottonwood County is $68,239, below the US median of $74,580. 8.9% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $154,000, with monthly rent averaging $765. The homeownership rate of 76.1% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.

Educational attainment in Cottonwood County reflects 22.9% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 10.1% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 16.0 minutes each way.

Cottonwood County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Cottonwood County had a population of 11,715 in 2010 and 11,338 in 2024, a -3.2% growth over 14 years. The peak was 11,716 in 2011. Average annual growth rate: -0.23%.

11,338

Population (2024)

11,715

Population (2010)

11,716

Peak (2011)

-0.23%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	11,715	-	-	estimate
2011	11,716	+1	+0.01%	estimate
2012	11,578	-138	-1.18%	estimate
2013	11,558	-20	-0.17%	estimate
2014	11,513	-45	-0.39%	estimate
2015	11,431	-82	-0.71%	estimate
2016	11,382	-49	-0.43%	estimate
2017	11,263	-119	-1.05%	estimate
2018	11,274	+11	+0.10%	estimate
2019	11,232	-42	-0.37%	estimate
2020	11,521	+289	+2.57%	estimate
2021	11,600	+79	+0.69%	estimate
2022	11,416	-184	-1.59%	estimate
2023	11,417	+1	+0.01%	estimate
2024	11,338	-79	-0.69%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	82.8%
Black or African American	1.8%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	1.2%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

41.3

Median Age

50.0%

Female

50.0%

Male

22.6%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

6.3%

5–9

7.3%

10–14

7.3%

15–19

6.5%

20–24

5.1%

25–34

11.3%

35–44

11.0%

45–54

9.7%

55–59

5.7%

60–64

7.3%

65–74

11.8%

75–84

7.1%

85+

3.7%

Children (under 15): 20.9% · Seniors (65+): 22.6%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$68,239$-19,317 vs state
Mean household income	$83,505
Per-capita income	$34,105
Poverty rate	8.9%+3.4% vs state
Unemployment rate	2.5%
Employment-to-population	61.0%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

25.0%

Manufacturing

16.9%

Agriculture

10.6%

Retail trade

7.6%

Public administration

5.9%

Construction

5.8%

Information

5.0%

Arts, entertainment & food

4.6%

The largest employment sector in Cottonwood County is professional & business services, accounting for 25.0% of workers.

How residents commute

0.2%

Drive alone

3.8%

Carpool

74.2%

Public transit

10.1%

Work from home

16.0 min

Avg commute

Housing

$154,000$-151,500 vs state

Median home value

$765

Median rent

76.1%

Homeownership rate

5,163

Total housing units

90.2%

Occupied

9.8%

Vacant

23.9%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

94.6%

With health insurance

91.2%

With broadband internet

21.6%

Foreign-born

6.1%

Veterans (18+)

12.3%

With a disability

90.6%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

92.4%

High School+

22.9%

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

Cottonwood County, Minnesota has a population of 11,458 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 63rd-largest county in Minnesota. Population density is 18 people per square mile.

The population of Cottonwood County has declined 3.2% since 2010 (11,715 → 11,338), a -0.23% annualized rate.

The median household income in Cottonwood County, Minnesota is $68,239, with mean (average) household income of $83,505 and per-capita income of $34,105. 8.9% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Cottonwood County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (82.8%), Black or African American (1.8%), Hispanic or Latino (1.2%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Cottonwood County, Minnesota is 41.3 years. Residents are 50.0% female and 50.0% male.

The median home value in Cottonwood County is $154,000 and median monthly rent is $765. 76.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 5,163 total housing units, 9.8% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Cottonwood County, Minnesota is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 25.0% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.5%.

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