Population 11,205 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Watonwan County
Household size in Watonwan County
| Period | Watonwan County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.55 | 2.52 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.44 | 2.54 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.51 | 2.55 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.66 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.12 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in Watonwan County average 2.66 people, about the same as the country as a whole (2.65). The typical household here is bigger than in Minnesota overall, where it has 2.52 people. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.55, even as the national average fell. Of Minnesota's 87 counties, only seven have larger households.
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 Watonwan County
| Period | Watonwan County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.7 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 40.1 | 38.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 41.3 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 40.2 | 40.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | −2.5 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
At 40.2, the median age in Watonwan County is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. Since 2006–10, the median age has dropped from 42.7, even as the national median rose. The youngest areas are in the northeast, the oldest in the southwest.
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 Watonwan County
| Period | Watonwan County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.9% | 9.9% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 11.5% | 10.2% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 11.7% | 9.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 11.5% | 9.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.6 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head nearly one in eight households in Watonwan County (11.5%), close to the national share of 11.6%. Single parents are more common here than in Minnesota as a whole (9.6%). The single-parent share is up 0.6 points from 2006–10, even as the national share fell.
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 Watonwan County
Renters in Watonwan County
| Period | Watonwan County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.6% | 25.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 26.7% | 27.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 23.1% | 28.4% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 22.2% | 27.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.6 pts | +2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Watonwan County is largely a place of homeowners: only 22.2% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 50.1% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 1.6 points from 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 Watonwan County
| Period | Watonwan County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.8% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.4% | 9.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 14.2% | 8.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.3% | 8.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.5 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 14.3% of the housing in Watonwan County, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Since 2006–10, vacancy has risen 1.5 points, even as the national rate fell.
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 Watonwan County
| Period | Watonwan County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1955 | 1973 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1952 | 1974 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1954 | 1975 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1961 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +5 | +6 |
Watonwan County is a place of older homes: half were built before 1961, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The median year built has moved up from 1955 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the center, while the southeast has the oldest housing.
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 Watonwan County
| Period | Watonwan County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $526 | $882 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $603 | $953 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $702 | $1,099 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $831 | $1,404 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$305 | +$522 | +$606 |
The median renter in Watonwan County pays $831 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $305 a month since 2006–10, up 58%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 26.3% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Rents run highest in the southwest and lowest in the center.
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 Watonwan County
Bachelor's degrees in Watonwan County
| Period | Watonwan County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.2% | 32.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.9% | 33.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 15.6% | 36.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 17.3% | 39.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +2.2 pts | +7.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Watonwan County: 17.3% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 2.2 points from 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. Few Minnesota counties have a lower share of college graduates: only five of 87.
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 Watonwan County
| Period | Watonwan County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 79.9% | 91.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 84.6% | 92.2% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 84.5% | 93.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 86.2% | 93.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +6.3 pts | +2.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in seven adults in Watonwan County never finished high school, a bit more than nationally: 86.2% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. The share with a diploma has risen 6.3 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Few Minnesota counties have a lower share of high school graduates: only two of 87.
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 Watonwan County
| Period | Watonwan County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.4% | 6.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 4.5% | 6.5% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.9% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.6% | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −0.7 pts | −2.4 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Watonwan County is close to the national rate: 5.6% of the labor force, against 5.4%. The rate is higher than in Minnesota overall (4.1%). Of Minnesota's 87 counties, only four have higher unemployment.
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).
Watonwan 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watonwan County | 2.66 | 40.2 | 11.5% | 22.2% | 14.3% | 1961 | $831 | 17.3% | 86.2% | 5.6% |
| Cottonwood County | 2.42 | 39.7 | 8.3% | 25.6% | 10.5% | 1961 | $822 | 23.5% | 94.1% | 2.7% |
| Waseca County | 2.42 | 40.7 | 11.3% | 19.3% | 6.0% | 1966 | $941 | 20.6% | 93.5% | 2.7% |
| Murray County | 2.22 | 46.1 | 6.5% | 17.8% | 12.4% | 1960 | $832 | 23.5% | 91.7% | 2.6% |
| Steele County | 2.48 | 40.7 | 10.2% | 20.6% | 5.8% | 1974 | $1,181 | 27.4% | 93.4% | 3.7% |
| Pipestone County | 2.34 | 40.6 | 8.8% | 19.2% | 8.7% | 1955 | $775 | 22.0% | 92.6% | 3.0% |
| Dodge County | 2.60 | 38.9 | 10.4% | 13.4% | 5.1% | 1980 | $1,127 | 30.6% | 95.5% | 3.3% |
| Moody County | 2.50 | 41.1 | 9.8% | 26.5% | 6.8% | 1971 | $864 | 31.6% | 95.3% | 2.6% |
| Olmsted County | 2.52 | 38.8 | 9.0% | 29.4% | 6.7% | 1987 | $1,440 | 49.1% | 94.9% | 3.6% |
| Lake County | 2.25 | 45.0 | 7.5% | 26.2% | 16.3% | 1970 | $945 | 35.3% | 93.5% | 3.1% |
| Winona County | 2.37 | 37.7 | 6.6% | 30.5% | 9.3% | 1968 | $912 | 33.7% | 94.3% | 2.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Dickey County, ND · Smith County, TN · Simpson County, KY · Sheridan County, MT · Sheridan County, KS · Shelby County, MO · Shelby County, IL · Shelby County, IA · Sharp County, AR · Sharkey County, MS
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 Watonwan 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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