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COUNTY · 2000 CENSUS

Steele County

Minnesota · 33,680 residents · 429.548 sq mi
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The short version

Steele County has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $46,106. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. Median home value has risen by half since 1990, reaching $103,400. Poverty is rare here, at 6.2% of residents.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $42,589
Mid-age
median age 35.7
US median: 35.2
Less educated
20% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Less affordable
home values up 28%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
33,680
+10%since 1990
from 30,729 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
78 / sq mi
+10%since 1990
from 72 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
35.7
+9%since 1990
from 32.8 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
30K32K34K36K38K1990201020202024Steele County
202437K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$46,106
+14%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $30,571 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$20,328
+56%since 1990
from $12,993 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
6.2%
−0.5 ptssince 1990
from 6.7% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$103,400
+28%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $61,300 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$471
+11%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $321 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
80.1%
+3.0 ptssince 1990
from 77.1% in 1990
19.9% rent
Afford Score
2.2
+12%since 1990
from 2.0 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Steele County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic97.6%(29,986)
Black0.3%(100)
Hispanic / Latino2%(626)
Asian0.7%(219)
Diversity Score10.6%(3,256)
2000
White, non-Hispanic93.3%(31,414)
Black1.1%(357)
Hispanic / Latino3.8%(1,266)
Asian0.8%(284)
Diversity Score13.7%(4,612)
Diversity Score
14
+29%since 1990
from 11 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.1%
+4.2 ptssince 1990
from 16.0% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
86.6%
+7.2 ptssince 1990
from 79.4% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
4.8%
+1.3 ptssince 1990
from 3.5% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
12.3 min
−31%since 1990
from 17.7 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Steele County

Clinton County
Pop 37,128
Wakulla County
Pop 38,089
Jefferson County
Pop 35,297
Pickens County
Pop 37,167
Places similar to Steele County
Head to head

Compare Steele County to nearby counties

STEELE COUNTY VS
Dodge County
Income$95,739+108%
Home value$287,700+178%
Population21,376−43%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STEELE COUNTY VS
Waseca County
Income$76,261+65%
Home value$220,800+114%
Population18,688−50%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STEELE COUNTY VS
Rice County
Income$83,181+80%
Home value$320,200+210%
Population69,939+87%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STEELE COUNTY VS
Freeborn County
Income$71,023+54%
Home value$171,100+65%
Population30,440−19%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Steele County, Minnesota?

Steele County, Minnesota has about 33,680 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in Steele County, Minnesota earns about $46,106 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Steele County, Minnesota expensive?

In Steele County, Minnesota, the median home is worth about $103,400, and the typical rent is about $471 a month.

How educated are people in Steele County, Minnesota?

About 20.1% of adults age 25 and over in Steele County, Minnesota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Steele County, Minnesota?

About 6.2% of people in Steele County, Minnesota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Steele County, Minnesota grown since 1990?

Yes, Steele County, Minnesota has grown since 1990. The population has added about 2,951 residents, a change of about 10 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

8 census tracts
Census Tract 9602Census Tract 9603Census Tract 9607Census Tract 9601Census Tract 9604Census Tract 9606Census Tract 9608Census Tract 9605
5 ZIP codes
ZIP 55060ZIP 55917ZIP 55049ZIP 56026ZIP 56046
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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