Population 34,411 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Nicollet County
Household size in Nicollet County
| Period | Nicollet County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.48 | 2.52 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.48 | 2.54 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.44 | 2.55 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.42 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.06 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in Nicollet County run small, averaging 2.42 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Household size has edged down from 2.48 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the northwest.
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 Nicollet County
| Period | Nicollet County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.5 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 36.8 | 38.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 38.6 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 38.5 | 40.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.0 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Nicollet County is 38.5 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 35.5, mirroring the country. Residents skew youngest in the southeast and oldest in the northwest.
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 Nicollet County
| Period | Nicollet County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.9% | 9.9% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 11.1% | 10.2% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.6% | 9.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.1% | 9.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.8 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are less common in Nicollet County than nationally: 9.1%, against 11.6%. That is in line with the rest of Minnesota. The single-parent share has edged down 0.8 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Nicollet County
Renters in Nicollet County
| Period | Nicollet County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.7% | 25.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 26.8% | 27.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 26.1% | 28.4% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 27.8% | 27.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.1 pts | +2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Nicollet County own their homes; 27.8% rent, below the national share of 34.8%. About four in ten owners (38.8%) have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. Rentals cluster in the southeast; owners are most common in the northwest. The renter share has risen 2.1 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 Nicollet County
| Period | Nicollet County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.0% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 5.6% | 9.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.2% | 8.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 6.0% | 8.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.9 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Fewer homes sit empty in Nicollet County than nationally: 6.0%, against 9.6% for the U.S. Vacancy has edged down 0.9 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Nicollet County has a lower vacancy rate than at least four in five Minnesota counties.
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 Nicollet County
| Period | Nicollet County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1974 | 1973 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1975 | 1974 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1978 | 1975 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1981 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +8 | +5 | +6 |
Homes in Nicollet County are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1981, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1974 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
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 Nicollet County
| Period | Nicollet County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $744 | $882 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $771 | $953 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $891 | $1,099 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,052 | $1,404 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$307 | +$522 | +$606 |
Rent in Nicollet County runs $1,052 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $307 a month from 2006–10, a 41% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 27.3% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the south; the most affordable are in the northwest.
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 Nicollet County
Bachelor's degrees in Nicollet County
| Period | Nicollet County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.2% | 32.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 34.0% | 33.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 33.9% | 36.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 36.8% | 39.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +2.5 pts | +7.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
More than a third of adults 25 and older in Nicollet County (36.8%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, close to the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 2.5 points, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the south and least in the northwest.
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 Nicollet County
| Period | Nicollet County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 92.5% | 91.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 93.7% | 92.2% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 93.5% | 93.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 95.1% | 93.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.5 pts | +2.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Nicollet County: 95.1% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 2.5 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Nicollet 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 Nicollet County
| Period | Nicollet County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.3% | 6.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 4.2% | 6.5% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.1% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.1% | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.1 pts | −2.4 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Nicollet County has been low: just 2.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Of Minnesota's 87 counties, only seven have lower unemployment. Unemployment is down 2.1 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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).
Nicollet 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicollet County | 2.42 | 38.5 | 9.1% | 27.8% | 6.0% | 1981 | $1,052 | 36.8% | 95.1% | 2.1% |
| Blue Earth County | 2.43 | 34.1 | 10.6% | 38.6% | 7.3% | 1979 | $1,229 | 34.3% | 94.9% | 5.0% |
| Le Sueur County | 2.50 | 42.1 | 7.7% | 19.0% | 10.3% | 1974 | $1,047 | 26.3% | 94.4% | 4.1% |
| Brown County | 2.26 | 43.2 | 7.9% | 21.1% | 7.7% | 1961 | $885 | 25.7% | 92.9% | 2.8% |
| Rice County | 2.55 | 39.3 | 9.7% | 23.7% | 7.6% | 1975 | $1,181 | 32.1% | 92.7% | 4.3% |
| Wabasha County | 2.35 | 44.9 | 6.0% | 16.7% | 10.8% | 1975 | $887 | 26.9% | 94.9% | 2.2% |
| Lincoln County | 2.23 | 46.1 | 7.0% | 18.6% | 19.1% | 1960 | $695 | 25.7% | 94.4% | 2.6% |
| Buffalo County | 2.33 | 46.8 | 8.3% | 22.5% | 11.7% | 1967 | $945 | 22.0% | 92.6% | 2.9% |
| Trempealeau County | 2.48 | 39.7 | 8.5% | 26.0% | 6.3% | 1977 | $951 | 20.6% | 89.7% | 2.4% |
| Brookings County | 2.39 | 32.2 | 5.0% | 42.8% | 9.7% | 1985 | $1,019 | 41.5% | 97.3% | 3.4% |
| Jackson County | 2.46 | 43.7 | 9.5% | 19.9% | 15.3% | 1979 | $827 | 15.8% | 92.1% | 5.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Vernon County, WI · Union County, PA · Union County, SC · Upshur County, TX · Upson County, GA · Utuado Municipio, PR · Uvalde County, TX · Van Wert County, OH · Vance County, NC · Clay County, IN
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 Nicollet 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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