City · Minnesota
Northfield, Minnesota
Northfield, city, mostly in Rice County (93.9% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Dakota County, Minnesota. Northfield had 21,992 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 5.7% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 20,790 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 20,742 (±169). GEOID 2746924.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
21,992
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 20,790 · ACS 2020-2024: 20,742 ±169
Median household income
$84,895
±$8,327 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $89,062
Median home value
$329,400
±$21,455 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $329,300
Median gross rent
$1,103
±$79 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $1,280
Where is Northfield and what county is it in?
Northfield is a city mostly in Rice County (93.9% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Dakota County, Minnesota. It covers 8.5 square miles of land, 2,434 residents per square mile in 2020.
Northfield is in the Faribault-Northfield, MN micropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
| County | 2020 residents | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Rice County | 19,529 | 93.9% |
| Dakota County | 1,261 | 6.1% |
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Northfield, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 21,992 people lived in Northfield on July 1, 2025, up 5.7% since 2020, faster than Minnesota (+2.2%). The 2020 Census counted 20,790 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 20,742 (±169).
| Measure | Northfield | Rice County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 20,742 ±169 | 67,917 | +395 |
| Households | 6,380 ±311 | 23,493 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.39 ±0.11 | 2.55 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,771 ±286 | 25,295 | no clear change |
Northfield's population since 2000
From 17,147 in 2000 to 21,992 in 2025: up 28.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Northfield as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Northfield?
The median resident of Northfield is 28.2 years old; 17.2% are under 18 and 16.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 76.6%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 13.2%. 8.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Northfield | Rice County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 28.2 ±2.6 | 37.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 17.2% ±1.6 pts | 21.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.2% ±1.5 pts | 16.6% | – |
| Male | 47.9% ±1.3 pts | 51.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 13.2% ±2.6 pts | 10.5% | +4.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 76.6% ±2.9 pts | 77.2% | −5.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.1% ±0.9 pts | 6.7% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 4.4% ±0.7 pts | 2.3% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.5% ±0.9 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 8.8% ±2.0 pts | 8.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 15.1% ±2.5 pts | 13.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.9% ±1.1 pts | 5.8% | – |
| With a disability | 9.7% ±1.2 pts | 10.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.9% ±2.1 pts | 5.5% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 96.6% ±1.5 pts | 92.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 53.3% ±3.9 pts | 30.2% | +5.9 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 26.6% ±3.2 pts | 11.8% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 77.7% ±3.3 pts | 87.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 7.3% ±1.7 pts | 2.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Northfield earn?
Half of Northfield's 6,380 households earn less than $84,895 a year (±$8,327), against $83,181 in Rice County and $89,062 in Minnesota. In 2015-2019 it was $86,331 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 8.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Northfield | Rice County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $84,895 ±$8,327 | $83,181 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $107,489 ±$7,331 | $104,276 | – |
| Per capita income | $36,703 ±$2,363 | $38,682 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 8.8% ±2.6 pts | 10.2% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 8.8% ±4.2 pts | 13.2% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 5.3% ±1.7 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.4% ±1.0 pts | 95.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 93.7% ±1.6 pts | 91.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Northfield?
Owners occupy 69.3% of Northfield's occupied homes and renters 30.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $329,400 by its owner (±$21,455). The median renter pays $1,103 a month including utilities, and 30.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Northfield | Rice County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $329,400 ±$21,455 | $320,200 | +$51,263 |
| Median gross rent | $1,103 ±$79 | $1,083 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 30.2% ±6.1 pts | 37.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,182 ±$101 | $1,922 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 69.3% ±3.8 pts | 76.3% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 30.7% ±3.8 pts | 23.7% | – |
| Housing units | 6,771 ±286 | 25,295 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.0% ±1.9 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.3% ±4.1 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 52.1% ±3.2 pts | 70.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.6% ±2.5 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.0% ±1.2 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 9.0% ±2.3 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 15.3% ±2.8 pts | 17.8% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 4.3% ±1.3 pts | 5.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Northfield building?
Builders took permits for 21 new housing units in Northfield in 2025 (21 in single-family houses), 1.0 per 1,000 residents against 3.6 across Minnesota.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Northfield work and get to work?
54.9% of Northfield's workers drive alone and 16.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 17.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.9%.
| Measure | Northfield | Rice County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 63.7% ±2.3 pts | 64.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9% ±1.9 pts | 4.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 54.9% ±3.5 pts | 68.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 4.9% ±1.5 pts | 9.2% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.6% ±0.7 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 20.7% ±2.6 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 16.2% ±3.4 pts | 12.0% | −18.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 17.7 min ±1.2 | 21.8 min | −4.0 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Northfield?
4 census tracts lie mostly in Northfield, and 3 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $68,750 (Tract 706.01) to $121,042 (Tract 705.03).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 706.01Rice County | 4,518 | $68,750 |
| Tract 705.01Rice County | 4,223 | $85,481 |
| Tract 705.03Rice County | 3,339 | $121,042 |
| Tract 705.04Rice County | 3,646 | $71,313 |
| Tract 706.02Rice County | 5,114 | $83,125 |
| Tract 615.02Dakota County | 2,823 | $106,815 |
| Tract 702Rice County | 5,658 | $126,250 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Northfield) · Census block assignment files
How does Northfield compare with other places in Minnesota?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Northfield is the 1,793rd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 56th-most populous of 855 in Minnesota.
Northfield ranks 326th of 558 places in Minnesota with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 56th | 855 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 85th | 556 |
| Residents per square mile | 41st | 562 |
| Median household income | 326th | 558 |
| Per capita income | 419th | 562 |
| Median home value | 249th | 559 |
| Median gross rent | 229th | 465 |
| Poverty rate | 196th | 461 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 53rd | 559 |
| Median age | 556th | 561 |
| Owner-occupied share | 430th | 561 |
| Work from home | 173rd | 525 |
| Travel time to work | 480th | 562 |
Northfield's figures with every place in Minnesota (CSV)
Every place in Minnesota, sortable · Compare Northfield with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Northfield?
5 of the 57 figures for Northfield on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Northfield are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Northfield.