Dakota County, Minnesota Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 3rd-largest in Minnesota

The population of Dakota County, Minnesota is 442,204 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 3rd-largest county in Minnesota. The median household income is $105,212, the median home value is $362,100, and the median age is 38.4.

The population of Dakota County has grown 13.5% since 2010 (399,214 → 453,156), a +0.91% annualized rate.

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

442,204

Population

+0.91%

Annual growth

786

People / sq mi

$105,212

Median Income

$362,100

Median Home Value

Dakota County covers 563 sq mi of land at 786.1 people per square mile.

About Dakota County, MN

The poverty rate is what most separates Dakota County from the typical county: 3.3% of residents live below the federal poverty line, against 12.4% nationally. Dakota County is a county in Minnesota with a population of 442,204. It is the #3-largest of all counties in Minnesota nationally.

Households here are among the highest-earning of all US counties: median income is $105,212, above the US median of $78,538. Hardship is rare relative to US counties: a poverty rate of just 3.3%, below the national 12.4%. Real estate commands a premium here — a median home value of $362,100, with typical rent around $1,497.

Dakota County is among the best-educated US counties: 44.6% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree, above the national 35.0%. Working from home is common here: 18.9% of workers do so, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 24 minutes each way.

Dakota County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Dakota County had a population of 399,214 in 2010 and 453,156 in 2024, a 13.5% growth over 14 years. The peak was 453,156 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.91%.

Dakota County population, 2010–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

453,156

Population (2024)

399,214

Population (2010)

453,156

Peak (2024)

0.91%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	399,214	-	-	estimate
2011	401,804	+2,590	+0.65%	estimate
2012	404,669	+2,865	+0.71%	estimate
2013	407,974	+3,305	+0.82%	estimate
2014	411,821	+3,847	+0.94%	estimate
2015	414,245	+2,424	+0.59%	estimate
2016	417,783	+3,538	+0.85%	estimate
2017	421,840	+4,057	+0.97%	estimate
2018	425,472	+3,632	+0.86%	estimate
2019	429,453	+3,981	+0.94%	estimate
2020	440,436	+10,983	+2.56%	estimate
2021	442,784	+2,348	+0.53%	estimate
2022	443,982	+1,198	+0.27%	estimate
2023	448,495	+4,513	+1.02%	estimate
2024	453,156	+4,661	+1.04%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	76.0%
Black or African American	7.3%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	1.4%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

38.4

Median Age

50.4%

Female

49.6%

Male

15.4%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

6.1%

5–9

6.9%

10–14

6.9%

15–19

6.5%

20–24

5.5%

25–34

12.8%

35–44

14.1%

45–54

12.5%

55–59

6.9%

60–64

6.5%

65–74

9.3%

75–84

4.3%

85+

1.8%

Children (under 15): 19.9% · Seniors (65+): 15.4%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$105,212+$17,656 vs state
Mean household income	$129,420
Per-capita income	$50,901
Poverty rate	3.3%-2.2% vs state
Unemployment rate	2.6%
Employment-to-population	68.9%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

22.5%

Finance & real estate

12.7%

Manufacturing

10.8%

Information

9.8%

Education & health care

7.4%

Retail trade

6.3%

Construction

5.5%

Public administration

4.3%

The largest employment sector in Dakota County is professional & business services, accounting for 22.5% of workers.

How residents commute

1.7%

Drive alone

1.3%

Carpool

69.7%

Public transit

18.9%

Work from home

24.1 min

Avg commute

Housing

$362,100+$56,600 vs state

Median home value

$1,497

Median rent

75.4%

Homeownership rate

176,447

Total housing units

97.3%

Occupied

2.7%

Vacant

24.6%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

96.2%

With health insurance

97.0%

With broadband internet

25.1%

Foreign-born

6.2%

Veterans (18+)

10.3%

With a disability

86.8%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

95.5%

High School+

44.6%

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)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)Carver County (108,622)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 →

Common questions about Dakota County, MN

What is the population of Dakota County, MN?What is the median household income in Dakota County, MN?What is the median home value in Dakota County, MN?What are the demographics of Dakota County, MN?What is the cost of living in Dakota County, MN?Is Dakota County, MN growing?

Frequently Asked Questions

Dakota County, Minnesota has a population of 442,204 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 3rd-largest county in Minnesota. Population density is 786 people per square mile.

The population of Dakota County has grown 13.5% since 2010 (399,214 → 453,156), a +0.91% annualized rate.

The median household income in Dakota County, Minnesota is $105,212, with mean (average) household income of $129,420 and per-capita income of $50,901. 3.3% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Dakota County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (76.0%), Black or African American (7.3%), Hispanic or Latino (1.4%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Dakota County, Minnesota is 38.4 years. Residents are 50.4% female and 49.6% male.

The median home value in Dakota County is $362,100 and median monthly rent is $1,497. 75.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 176,447 total housing units, 2.7% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Dakota County, Minnesota is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 22.5% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.6%.

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