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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Steele County

Minnesota · 37,406 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 $68,172. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $173,400.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 39.9
US median: 38.8
Less educated
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
37,406
+11%since 2000
from 33,680 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
87 / sq mi
+11%since 2000
from 78 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
39.9
+12%since 2000
from 35.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
30K32K34K36K38K1990201020202024Steele County
202437K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$68,172
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $46,106 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$34,648
+70%since 2000
from $20,328 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
45.5%
+14.9 ptssince 2009
from 30.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
8.0%
+1.8 ptssince 2000
from 6.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade24.2%
US avg: 10%
Information12.2%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services8.4%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration7.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade6.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction3.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance3.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$173,400
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $103,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$802
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $471 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
76.1%
−4.1 ptssince 2000
from 80.1% in 2000
23.9% rent
Afford Score
2.5
+13%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Steele County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic93.3%(31,414)
Black1.1%(357)
Hispanic / Latino3.8%(1,266)
Asian0.8%(284)
Other0%
Diversity Score13.7%(4,612)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic83.9%(31,376)
Black3.6%(1,359)
Hispanic / Latino8.4%(3,140)
Asian0.9%(330)
Other2.1%(797)
Diversity Score34%(12,712)
Segregation Score29%(10,858)
Diversity Score
34
+148%since 2000
from 14 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
29
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.8%
+6.7 ptssince 2000
from 20.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
92.7%
+6.1 ptssince 2000
from 86.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.2%
+3.4 ptssince 2000
from 4.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.6 min
+43%since 2000
from 12.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
84.4%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 81.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
7.2%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.7%
−2.2 ptssince 2011
from 5.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
68.3%
−4.1 ptssince 2011
from 72.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
35.0%
−26.2 ptssince 2009
from 61.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.0%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 49.0% in 2009
Female
50.0%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 51.0% in 2009
Foreign born
4.6%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.3%
−90.7 ptssince 2013
from 94.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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+40%
Home value$287,700+66%
Population21,376−43%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STEELE COUNTY VS
Waseca County
Income$76,261+12%
Home value$220,800+27%
Population18,688−50%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STEELE COUNTY VS
Rice County
Income$83,181+22%
Home value$320,200+85%
Population69,939+87%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STEELE COUNTY VS
Freeborn County
Income$71,023+4%
Home value$171,100−1%
Population30,440−19%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Steele County, Minnesota?

Steele County, Minnesota has about 37,406 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Steele County, Minnesota earns about $68,172 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 $173,400, and the typical rent is about $802 a month.

How educated are people in Steele County, Minnesota?

About 26.8% 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 8.0% 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 6,677 residents, a change of about 22 percent over that period.

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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

How we source and harmonize this data →