Watonwan County, Minnesota Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 65th-largest in Minnesota

The population of Watonwan County, Minnesota is 11,169 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 65th-largest county in Minnesota. The median household income is $70,593, the median home value is $151,600, and the median age is 40.6.

The population of Watonwan County has grown 0.1% since 2010 (11,195 → 11,204), a +0.01% annualized rate.

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

11,169

Population

+0.01%

Annual growth

People / sq mi

$70,593

Median Income

$151,600

Median Home Value

Watonwan County covers 435 sq mi of land at 25.7 people per square mile.

About Watonwan County, MN

Watonwan County is distinguished by its share of foreign-born residents, 14.8% of the population. Watonwan County is a county in Minnesota with a population of 11,169.

Median household income is $70,593, below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 10.2%, below the national 12.4%. The typical home is valued at $151,600, with typical rent around $807.

Degree attainment is mid-range for US counties: 18.2% of adults hold a four-year degree, below the national 35.0%. Remote work is below the national 14.0% at 6.8%, and the average commute runs about 23 minutes each way.

Watonwan County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Watonwan County had a population of 11,195 in 2010 and 11,204 in 2024, a 0.1% growth over 14 years. The peak was 11,245 in 2022. Average annual growth rate: 0.01%.

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

11,204

Population (2024)

11,195

Population (2010)

11,245

Peak (2022)

0.01%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	11,195	-	-	estimate
2011	11,168	-27	-0.24%	estimate
2012	11,114	-54	-0.48%	estimate
2013	11,046	-68	-0.61%	estimate
2014	10,978	-68	-0.62%	estimate
2015	11,013	+35	+0.32%	estimate
2016	11,002	-11	-0.10%	estimate
2017	10,911	-91	-0.83%	estimate
2018	10,964	+53	+0.49%	estimate
2019	10,846	-118	-1.08%	estimate
2020	11,238	+392	+3.61%	estimate
2021	11,161	-77	-0.69%	estimate
2022	11,245	+84	+0.75%	estimate
2023	11,179	-66	-0.59%	estimate
2024	11,204	+25	+0.22%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	78.9%
Black or African American	0.0%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	0.6%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

40.6

Median Age

49.5%

Female

50.5%

Male

20.2%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

7.5%

5–9

6.9%

10–14

6.9%

15–19

6.6%

20–24

5.1%

25–34

11.5%

35–44

10.5%

45–54

11.2%

55–59

6.5%

60–64

7.1%

65–74

10.9%

75–84

5.6%

85+

3.7%

Children (under 15): 21.3% · Seniors (65+): 20.2%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$70,593$-16,963 vs state
Mean household income	$89,633
Per-capita income	$35,659
Poverty rate	10.2%+4.7% vs state
Unemployment rate	3.6%
Employment-to-population	61.8%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

24.4%

Manufacturing

19.3%

Construction

9.9%

Agriculture

8.5%

Retail trade

7.4%

Information

4.0%

Public administration

3.2%

Finance & real estate

3.2%

The largest employment sector in Watonwan County is professional & business services, accounting for 24.4% of workers.

How residents commute

1.8%

Drive alone

4.4%

Carpool

75.0%

Public transit

6.8%

Work from home

22.8 min

Avg commute

Housing

$151,600$-153,900 vs state

Median home value

$807

Median rent

78.2%

Homeownership rate

4,904

Total housing units

88.0%

Occupied

12.0%

Vacant

21.8%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

88.0%

With health insurance

92.2%

With broadband internet

14.8%

Foreign-born

6.3%

Veterans (18+)

11.4%

With a disability

76.6%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

88.4%

High School+

18.2%

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

Watonwan County, Minnesota has a population of 11,169 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 65th-largest county in Minnesota. Population density is 26 people per square mile.

The population of Watonwan County has grown 0.1% since 2010 (11,195 → 11,204), a +0.01% annualized rate.

The median household income in Watonwan County, Minnesota is $70,593, with mean (average) household income of $89,633 and per-capita income of $35,659. 10.2% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Watonwan County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (78.9%), Hispanic or Latino (0.6%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Watonwan County, Minnesota is 40.6 years. Residents are 49.5% female and 50.5% male.

The median home value in Watonwan County is $151,600 and median monthly rent is $807. 78.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 4,904 total housing units, 12.0% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Watonwan County, Minnesota is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 24.4% of workers. The unemployment rate is 3.6%.

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