Population 3,680 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Independence
Household size in Independence
| Period | Independence | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.84 | 2.58 | 2.52 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.71 | 2.61 | 2.54 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.09 | 2.63 | 2.55 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.77 | 2.58 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.07 | −0.00 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in Independence average 2.77 people, a bit above the national 2.65, so families with children are somewhat more common here.
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 Independence
| Period | Independence | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.4 | 36.8 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 45.1 | 37.8 | 38.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 43.0 | 38.6 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 43.4 | 39.2 | 40.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.0 | +2.5 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Independence is 43.4 years old, older than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 41.4, but in a place this small, much of that may be survey noise rather than real change.
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 Independence
| Period | Independence | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.4% | 10.2% | 9.9% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 6.7% | 10.6% | 10.2% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 4.8% | 9.9% | 9.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.0% | 9.8% | 9.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Independence: 4.0% of households, against 11.6% nationally.
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 Independence
Renters in Independence
| Period | Independence | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.2% | 27.3% | 25.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 12.6% | 29.6% | 27.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 15.9% | 30.0% | 28.4% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 8.2% | 29.3% | 27.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | −6.9 pts | +2.0 pts | +2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 8.2% of households in Independence rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 30.2% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%.
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 Independence
| Period | Independence | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.9% | 7.0% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 5.8% | 6.2% | 9.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 10.4% | 5.5% | 8.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 7.6% | 5.7% | 8.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +0.7 pts | −1.3 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is on the low side in Independence: 7.6% of homes sit empty, against 9.6% nationally, which points to steady demand for housing. Even so, the rate is higher than in the Minneapolis area overall (5.7%).
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 Independence
| Period | Independence | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1981 | 1975 | 1973 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1982 | 1976 | 1974 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1978 | 1977 | 1975 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1988 | 1980 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +4 | +5 | +6 |
The housing in Independence is younger than the country's: half of it was built after 1988, against 1980 nationally.
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 Independence
| Period | Independence | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,021 | $1,007 | $882 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $852 | $1,077 | $953 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,249 | $1,258 | $1,099 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,917 | $1,603 | $1,404 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$896 | +$597 | +$522 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Independence costs $1,917 a month with utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. The typical renter here spends 37.0% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
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 Independence
Bachelor's degrees in Independence
| Period | Independence | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.1% | 37.2% | 32.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 43.3% | 39.1% | 33.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 46.6% | 41.8% | 36.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 65.0% | 45.4% | 39.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +29.9 pts | +8.1 pts | +7.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
Independence is highly educated: about two-thirds of adults 25 and older (65.0%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%.
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 Independence
| Period | Independence | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 95.5% | 92.4% | 91.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 98.3% | 92.9% | 92.2% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 95.7% | 93.5% | 93.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 97.8% | 94.0% | 93.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.3 pts | +1.6 pts | +2.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in Independence: 97.8% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%.
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 Independence
| Period | Independence | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.2% | 6.7% | 6.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.1% | 6.8% | 6.5% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 1.3% | 3.6% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 0.9% | 4.0% | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.3 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.4 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Independence has been low: just 0.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. 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).
Independence compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independence | 2.77 | 43.4 | 4.0% | 8.2% | 7.6% | 1988 | $1,917 | 65.0% | 97.8% | 0.9% |
| Maple Plain | 2.29 | 38.3 | 5.6% | 35.7% | 7.9% | 1975 | $1,295 | 39.4% | 96.2% | 1.5% |
| Greenfield | 2.66 | 41.6 | 6.0% | 11.5% | 1.1% | 1989 | $1,130 | 45.2% | 97.1% | 0.8% |
| Loretto | 2.73 | 44.1 | 3.2% | 7.6% | 1.9% | 1992 | $949 | 52.1% | 97.5% | 0.8% |
| Delano | 2.70 | 38.5 | 5.9% | 18.6% | 3.7% | 1992 | $1,123 | 46.1% | 97.3% | 1.7% |
| Rockford | 2.73 | 38.4 | 12.7% | 15.7% | 1.8% | 1992 | $1,268 | 37.0% | 95.1% | 2.2% |
| Orono | 2.66 | 47.6 | 5.2% | 9.1% | 10.5% | 1984 | $2,082 | 71.9% | 99.8% | 2.8% |
| Mound | 2.04 | 45.9 | 6.8% | 24.7% | 7.4% | 1975 | $1,155 | 47.0% | 96.4% | 4.4% |
| Minnetrista | 2.88 | 42.8 | 6.0% | 6.3% | 10.1% | 1993 | $1,145 | 65.5% | 99.6% | 2.6% |
| Spring Park | 1.45 | 57.0 | 5.1% | 75.1% | 7.7% | 1979 | $1,241 | 31.8% | 95.2% | 8.9% |
| Medina | 3.03 | 40.1 | 11.2% | 7.8% | 4.7% | 2000 | $1,386 | 67.2% | 96.0% | 0.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Ohatchee, AL · Akron, PA · Amelia Court House, VA · Ashford, AL · Ainaloa, HI · Fruitland, NM · Meadowbrook, CA · Amston, CT · Meadow Vista, CA · Fritch, TX
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 Independence. 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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