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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Cottonwood County

Minnesota · 11,517 residents · 639.973 sq mi
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The short version

Cottonwood County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $51,067. Population has declined 5% since 2000. 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $106,900. Households here earn about 30% less than the Minnesota median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 42.5
US median: 38.8
Less educated
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 28%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
11,517
−5%since 2000
from 12,167 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
18 / sq mi
−5%since 2000
from 19 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
42.5
+2%since 2000
from 41.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
11K12K12K12K13K1990201020202024Cottonwood County
202411K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$51,067
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,943 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$27,709
+66%since 2000
from $16,647 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
32.1%
+13.2 ptssince 2009
from 18.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
11.7%
Unchangedsince 2000
from 11.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade20.3%
US avg: 10%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing12.7%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction12.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Information11.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade6.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance3.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services3.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration2.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$106,900
+28%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $55,500 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$599
+29%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $308 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
76.9%
−3.5 ptssince 2000
from 80.4% in 2000
23.1% rent
Afford Score
2.1
+20%since 2000
from 1.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Cottonwood County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic94.6%(11,509)
Black0.3%(39)
Hispanic / Latino2.2%(267)
Asian1.6%(197)
Other0%
Diversity Score10.2%(1,235)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic81.8%(9,418)
Black1.2%(135)
Hispanic / Latino9.7%(1,115)
Asian3.1%(361)
Other1.9%(222)
Diversity Score36%(4,144)
Segregation Score15.9%(1,826)
Diversity Score
36
+254%since 2000
from 10 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
16
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.7%
+6.5 ptssince 2000
from 14.2% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
90.1%
+9.6 ptssince 2000
from 80.4% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
5.8%
+2.0 ptssince 2000
from 3.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.3 min
+52%since 2000
from 11.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
79.6%
+7.5 ptssince 2009
from 72.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
5.8%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 7.3% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.6%
+0.1 ptssince 2011
from 4.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
63.7%
−0.7 ptssince 2011
from 64.4% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
31.3%
−33.4 ptssince 2009
from 64.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.0%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 49.2% in 2009
Female
50.0%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 50.8% in 2009
Foreign born
6.4%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 4.4% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.6%
−89.5 ptssince 2013
from 94.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Cottonwood County

Marshall County
Pop 11,473
Cumberland County
Pop 10,208
Moffat County
Pop 13,122
Valley County
Pop 12,831
Places similar to Cottonwood County
Head to head

Compare Cottonwood County to nearby counties

COTTONWOOD COUNTY VS
Jackson County
Income$75,743+48%
Home value$157,100+47%
Population9,857−14%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COTTONWOOD COUNTY VS
Redwood County
Income$67,866+33%
Home value$158,200+48%
Population15,265+34%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COTTONWOOD COUNTY VS
Brown County
Income$69,378+36%
Home value$191,200+79%
Population25,517+124%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COTTONWOOD COUNTY VS
Watonwan County
Income$71,699+40%
Home value$162,400+52%
Population11,459same
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Cottonwood County, Minnesota?

Cottonwood County, Minnesota has about 11,517 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Cottonwood County, Minnesota?

The typical household in Cottonwood County, Minnesota earns about $51,067 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 $106,900, and the typical rent is about $599 a month.

How educated are people in Cottonwood County, Minnesota?

About 20.7% 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 11.7% 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 1,177 residents, a change of about -9 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

4 census tracts
Census Tract 2703Census Tract 2704Census Tract 2701Census Tract 2702
6 ZIP codes
ZIP 56101ZIP 56159ZIP 56183ZIP 56145ZIP 56118ZIP 56174
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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