City profile · Minnesota · Census ACS 2023

Cottonwood, MN

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Cottonwood - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

1,120
Residents
$90,750
Median income
$180,200
Median home
$973
Median rent (state)

Cottonwood - the verdict

Cottonwood ranks in the 71st percentile for household income nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS.

71st
percentile, household income
37th
percentile, home value
12th
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Cottonwood, MN

Cottonwood is a small town in Minnesota, home to 1,120 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Cottonwood households earn a median of $90,750 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 2.7%. Typical homes in Cottonwood are valued around $180,200, and the median resident age is 37.0 years. 27.1% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 68.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 0 residential building permits were authorized in Cottonwood (No Permits), down 100% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data.

Minnesota tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: the state registers 98.6 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Near Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $973 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Minnesota run around $225, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 30.0 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

1,120 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Minnesota

Median Household Income

$90,750 /yr

Poverty 2.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

98.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Minnesota average

How does Cottonwood compare to other US cities?

Where Cottonwood sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 71% higher than other cities
Home value 37% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Cottonwood against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Minnesota only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Minnesota-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Cottonwood near the bottom of Minnesota's cities

Among the 785 Minnesota cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Cottonwood ranks #531 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Cottonwood only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#180 of 775
77th percentile in Minnesota
Median Gross Rent
#531 of 785
0th percentile in Minnesota
Median Home Value
#368 of 774
52nd percentile in Minnesota
Poverty Rate
#556 of 785
28th percentile in Minnesota
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#251 of 784
68th percentile in Minnesota

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Minnesota only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

71stIncome percentile

71st percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Cottonwood's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$180,200 Among the most affordable more affordable than 63% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Cottonwood $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Cottonwood, MN Cottonwood, MN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Cottonwood, MN-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Cottonwood, MN median $90,750/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Cottonwood, MN's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Cottonwood, MN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 27.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 2.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 68.4%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
1,120
Median Income
$90,750
Median Home Value
$180,200
Median Age
37.0
Poverty Rate
2.7%
Labor force participation
68.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
27.1%

Schools

Total Schools
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,135 residents1,140 residents1,145 residents1,150 residents1,155 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,145 residents 1,138 residents ▼ -0.6%
Cottonwood's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 2
2020 2
2021 2
2022 1
2023 2
2024 0

Permit volume decreased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
82.3%
Carpool
6.5%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
2.6%
Work from Home
8.1%

Based on 581 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Minnesota - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$95
avg/month
Natural Gas
$85
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Minnesota state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Minnesota state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Cottonwood sits in

Cost of Living Index
98.6
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$973/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
30.0 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Minnesota

Baudette
1,117 people
Lake Shore
1,117 people
Mahnomen
1,116 people
Hector
1,111 people
Fairfax
1,134 people
Lake St. Croix Beach
1,106 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Cottonwood's 1,120 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Lovington, IL
1,120 people
St. Wendel, IN
1,120 people
Limestone, ME
1,120 people
Churchill, MT
1,120 people
Springdale, NC
1,120 people
Claysburg, PA
1,120 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Cottonwood's $90,750 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Rapids City, IL
$90,750 median income
Westworth, TX
$90,750 median income
Otis Orchards-East Farms, WA
$90,750 median income
Valencia West, AZ
$90,758 median income
Edwards, CO
$90,735 median income
Olga, FL
$90,733 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Cottonwood, MN Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Cottonwood, MN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 95.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.2% White 95.3% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.1% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.5% Two or more races 3.9% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Cottonwood compares to nearby Minnesota cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Cottonwood (this city) 1,120 $90,750
Baudette 1,117 $71,042
Lake Shore 1,117 $96,923
Mahnomen 1,116 $43,854
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MN NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Cottonwood, MN?

What is the population of Cottonwood, MN? +

Cottonwood, MN counts 1,120 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Cottonwood, MN? +

Cottonwood households earn a median of $90,750 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Cottonwood? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Cottonwood; the closest available measure is the Minnesota state average, a cost of living index of 98.6 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Minnesota vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Cottonwood, MN? +

Cottonwood's median home value sits at $180,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.