With 11,458 people, Cottonwood County is a county in Minnesota. Few US counties rank higher on income. About 24% of adults have finished a four-year degree. The typical home is worth $169,300, having roughly tripled since 2000. There are 18 people per square mile. Getting to work takes 15 minutes on average.
At a glance
Lower income
median household income $72,941, below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 40.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
24% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 67%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Unique to this place
What stands out about Cottonwood County
What changed most since 1990
Median home value (2024 dollars)$70,082 → $169,300(+142%)US over the same years: +67%
Median household income (2024 dollars)$51,988 → $72,941(+40%)US over the same years: +14%
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans
Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later)5.7%(25)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)12.4%(54)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era43.8%(191)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War6.4%(28)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II0.7%(3)
US avg: 1%
Share of the 436 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Over time
Cottonwood County, decade by decade
Cottonwood County population, inflation-adjusted income and home value, education, and diversity by year
Year
Population
Median household income
Median home value
Bachelor's degree+
Diversity score
1990
12,694
$51,988
$70,082
12.3%
3.1
2000
12,167
$58,189
$101,102
14.2%
13.0
2010
11,687
$57,963
$117,675
15.7%
24.8
2020
11,517
$61,895
$129,567
20.7%
40.1
2024
11,458
$72,941
$169,300
24.1%
43.0
Census years come from the decennial census and the latest year from the American Community Survey, so part of any change between those two rows can reflect the different surveys. Dollar figures are adjusted for inflation to 2024 dollars; a figure ending in "+" was at the Census Bureau's reporting cap that year. The diversity score runs from 0 to 100; see how it's calculated.
How many people live in Cottonwood County, Minnesota?
Cottonwood County, Minnesota has about 11,458 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in Cottonwood County, Minnesota?
The typical household in Cottonwood County, Minnesota earns about $72,941 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is Cottonwood County, Minnesota expensive?
In Cottonwood County, Minnesota, the median home is worth about $169,300, and the typical rent is about $817 a month.
How educated are people in Cottonwood County, Minnesota?
About 24.1% of adults age 25 and over in Cottonwood County, Minnesota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in Cottonwood County, Minnesota?
About 15.0% of people in Cottonwood County, Minnesota live below the federal poverty line.
Has Cottonwood County, Minnesota grown since 1990?
Yes, Cottonwood County, Minnesota has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,236 residents, a change of about -10 percent over that period.
