Population 445,771 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Dakota County
Household size in Dakota County
| Period | Dakota County | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.64 | 2.58 | 2.52 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.64 | 2.61 | 2.54 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.64 | 2.63 | 2.55 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.63 | 2.58 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.01 | −0.00 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in Dakota County average 2.63 people, about the same as the country as a whole (2.65). Households are largest in the south and smallest in the northeast. Dakota County has larger households than at least four in five Minnesota counties.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Dakota County
| Period | Dakota County | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 36.7 | 36.8 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 38.2 | 37.8 | 38.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 39.2 | 38.6 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 39.7 | 39.2 | 40.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.0 | +2.5 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
At 39.7, the median age in Dakota County is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. The median age has climbed from 36.7 in 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Dakota County
| Period | Dakota County | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.7% | 10.2% | 9.9% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.5% | 10.6% | 10.2% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.1% | 9.9% | 9.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.7% | 9.8% | 9.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.0 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in ten households in Dakota County (9.7%), a little below the national share of 11.6%. The Minneapolis area as a whole looks much the same. Compared with other Minnesota counties, though, Dakota County has a higher share of single-parent households than most.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Dakota County
Renters in Dakota County
| Period | Dakota County | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.7% | 27.3% | 25.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 24.7% | 29.6% | 27.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 26.0% | 30.0% | 28.4% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 25.1% | 29.3% | 27.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | +3.3 pts | +2.0 pts | +2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
About a quarter of households in Dakota County rent their homes (25.1%), below the national share of 34.8%; the rest own. Among homeowners, 31.0% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the west and least common in the center. The renter share has risen 3.3 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Dakota County
| Period | Dakota County | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.2% | 7.0% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 4.3% | 6.2% | 9.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.9% | 5.5% | 8.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 3.7% | 5.7% | 8.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.5 pts | −1.3 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Empty homes are scarce in Dakota County: just 3.7% sit vacant, compared with 9.6% nationally, a sign of a tight housing market. Vacancy is down 1.5 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Only one other Minnesota county has a lower vacancy rate.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Dakota County
| Period | Dakota County | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1984 | 1975 | 1973 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1985 | 1976 | 1974 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1985 | 1977 | 1975 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1988 | 1980 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +4 | +5 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Dakota County is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1988, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1984 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the south, the oldest in the northeast. Of Minnesota's 87 counties, only seven have newer homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Dakota County
| Period | Dakota County | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,067 | $1,007 | $882 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,145 | $1,077 | $953 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,316 | $1,258 | $1,099 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,653 | $1,603 | $1,404 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$586 | +$597 | +$522 | +$606 |
Rent in Dakota County runs $1,653 a month at the median, utilities included, above the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $586 a month from 2006–10, a 55% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 32.1% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the southwest and lowest in the northeast.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Dakota County
Bachelor's degrees in Dakota County
| Period | Dakota County | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.6% | 37.2% | 32.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 40.0% | 39.1% | 33.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 42.6% | 41.8% | 36.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 45.4% | 45.4% | 39.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.9 pts | +8.1 pts | +7.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are more common in Dakota County than nationally: 45.4% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 6.9 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Only five of Minnesota's 87 counties have a higher share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Dakota County
| Period | Dakota County | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 94.5% | 92.4% | 91.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 94.8% | 92.9% | 92.2% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 95.1% | 93.5% | 93.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 95.0% | 94.0% | 93.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +0.5 pts | +1.6 pts | +2.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Dakota County: 95.0% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The Minneapolis area as a whole looks much the same. Dakota County has a higher share of high school graduates than at least four in five Minnesota counties.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Dakota County
| Period | Dakota County | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.9% | 6.7% | 6.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.8% | 6.8% | 6.5% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.6% | 3.6% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.6% | 4.0% | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.3 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.4 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Dakota County runs below the national rate: 3.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Unemployment has fallen 2.3 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Dakota County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dakota County | 2.63 | 39.7 | 9.7% | 25.1% | 3.7% | 1988 | $1,653 | 45.4% | 95.0% | 3.6% |
| Scott County | 2.87 | 38.8 | 10.0% | 16.2% | 4.3% | 1994 | $1,736 | 44.4% | 94.5% | 3.5% |
| Carver County | 2.72 | 39.9 | 9.4% | 18.5% | 3.5% | 1996 | $1,620 | 50.9% | 96.9% | 3.0% |
| Pierce County | 2.54 | 39.4 | 7.5% | 25.0% | 7.4% | 1979 | $1,106 | 33.2% | 96.6% | 3.1% |
| McLeod County | 2.40 | 42.5 | 9.2% | 22.6% | 5.5% | 1978 | $947 | 20.1% | 93.6% | 3.4% |
| Eau Claire County | 2.35 | 37.2 | 8.0% | 39.0% | 5.4% | 1978 | $1,091 | 36.7% | 95.6% | 2.8% |
| Renville County | 2.35 | 43.8 | 9.4% | 19.8% | 12.3% | 1959 | $799 | 18.2% | 91.7% | 2.5% |
| Clark County | 2.74 | 36.5 | 7.8% | 21.5% | 11.7% | 1971 | $846 | 12.8% | 81.8% | 3.7% |
| Yellow Medicine County | 2.27 | 43.4 | 8.9% | 16.0% | 9.8% | 1956 | $787 | 19.8% | 93.0% | 3.6% |
| Deuel County | 2.43 | 44.1 | 6.6% | 17.2% | 16.4% | 1965 | $615 | 25.1% | 93.3% | 2.0% |
| Hamlin County | 2.84 | 32.5 | 6.1% | 18.0% | 18.4% | 1968 | $906 | 24.2% | 91.8% | 0.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Ada County, ID · Washoe County, NV · Burlington County, NJ · Camden County, NJ · Spokane County, WA · Richmond County, NY · Lehigh County, PA · Prince William County, VA · Polk County, IA · Plymouth County, MA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Dakota County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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