City · Minnesota
Prior Lake, Minnesota
Prior Lake, city, in Scott County, Minnesota. Prior Lake had 28,140 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.9% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 27,617 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 28,016 (±57). GEOID 2752594.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
28,140
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 27,617 · ACS 2020-2024: 28,016 ±57
Median household income
$134,255
±$11,762 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $89,062
Median home value
$450,700
±$15,127 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $329,300
Median gross rent
$1,654
±$146 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $1,280
Where is Prior Lake and what county is it in?
Prior Lake is a city in Scott County, Minnesota. It covers 16.3 square miles of land, 1,695 residents per square mile in 2020.
Prior Lake is in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 15 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Prior Lake, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 28,140 people lived in Prior Lake on July 1, 2025, up 1.9% since 2020, in line with Minnesota (+2.2%). The 2020 Census counted 27,617 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 28,016 (±57).
| Measure | Prior Lake | Scott County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 28,016 ±57 | 154,557 | +1,651 |
| Households | 9,976 ±376 | 54,971 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.79 ±0.11 | 2.78 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 10,357 ±338 | 56,671 | no clear change |
Prior Lake's population since 2000
From 15,917 in 2000 to 28,140 in 2025: up 76.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Prior Lake 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 Prior Lake?
The median resident of Prior Lake is 39.6 years old; 25.3% are under 18 and 15.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 79.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 5.8%. 7.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Prior Lake | Scott County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.6 ±1.7 | 37.8 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 25.3% ±1.4 pts | 25.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.7% ±1.4 pts | 12.7% | – |
| Male | 49.9% ±1.5 pts | 50.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.8% ±1.9 pts | 6.4% | +2.9 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 79.2% ±2.6 pts | 75.6% | −8.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.2% ±1.1 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 5.5% ±1.3 pts | 6.3% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 1.5% ±0.7 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.2% ±1.5 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5% ±0.5 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 7.7% ±1.5 pts | 10.2% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 9.4% ±2.1 pts | 14.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.2% ±1.3 pts | 5.2% | – |
| With a disability | 9.4% ±1.3 pts | 8.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 2.7% ±0.9 pts | 3.7% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 96.2% ±1.0 pts | 94.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 52.4% ±3.1 pts | 44.1% | +6.2 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 15.1% ±2.3 pts | 13.0% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 91.0% ±1.8 pts | 91.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.7% ±0.3 pts | 1.1% | – |
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 Prior Lake earn?
Half of Prior Lake's 9,976 households earn less than $134,255 a year (±$11,762), against $119,314 in Scott County and $89,062 in Minnesota. In 2015-2019 it was $134,889 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 3.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Prior Lake | Scott County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $134,255 ±$11,762 | $119,314 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $169,887 ±$11,247 | $149,625 | – |
| Per capita income | $62,573 ±$4,076 | $54,014 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 3.1% ±0.9 pts | 4.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 1.3% ±1.2 pts | 4.9% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 2.9% ±1.2 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Households with a computer | 98.0% ±0.9 pts | 97.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 96.0% ±1.5 pts | 95.0% | – |
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 Prior Lake?
Owners occupy 86.2% of Prior Lake's occupied homes and renters 13.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $450,700 by its owner (±$15,127). The median renter pays $1,654 a month including utilities, and 49.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Prior Lake | Scott County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $450,700 ±$15,127 | $419,400 | +$53,924 |
| Median gross rent | $1,654 ±$146 | $1,568 | +$247 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 49.4% ±11.0 pts | 38.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,478 ±$114 | $2,329 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 86.2% ±2.1 pts | 83.8% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 13.8% ±2.1 pts | 16.2% | – |
| Housing units | 10,357 ±338 | 56,671 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.9% ±1.2 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 69.9% ±3.0 pts | 70.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.1% ±0.9 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 18.8% ±2.6 pts | 13.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 1.5% ±0.7 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 2.9% ±1.0 pts | 3.1% | – |
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 Prior Lake building?
Builders took permits for 33 new housing units in Prior Lake in 2025 (33 in single-family houses), 1.2 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 Prior Lake work and get to work?
63.9% of Prior Lake's workers drive alone and 24.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 1.5%.
| Measure | Prior Lake | Scott County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 73.0% ±2.1 pts | 74.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.5% ±0.7 pts | 3.5% | −1.3 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 63.9% ±3.4 pts | 70.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.9% ±1.9 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.8% ±0.7 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 1.2% ±0.8 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Worked from home | 24.6% ±2.7 pts | 19.7% | +17.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.7 min ±1.3 | 24.8 min | −3.1 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 Prior Lake?
5 census tracts lie mostly in Prior Lake, and 1 more reaches into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $97,458 (Tract 809.08) to $150,735 (Tract 809.05).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 809.03Scott County | 8,723 | $142,823 |
| Tract 809.05Scott County | 6,788 | $150,735 |
| Tract 809.06Scott County | 5,085 | $123,929 |
| Tract 809.08Scott County | 4,373 | $97,458 |
| Tract 809.07Scott County | 3,244 | $106,941 |
| Tract 810.01Scott County | 5,100 | $158,947 |
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 Prior Lake) · Census block assignment files
How does Prior Lake compare with other places in Minnesota?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Prior Lake is the 1,428th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 37th-most populous of 855 in Minnesota.
Prior Lake ranks 43rd 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 | 37th | 855 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 263rd | 556 |
| Residents per square mile | 96th | 562 |
| Median household income | 43rd | 558 |
| Per capita income | 53rd | 562 |
| Median home value | 75th | 559 |
| Median gross rent | 61st | 465 |
| Poverty rate | 425th | 461 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 55th | 559 |
| Median age | 352nd | 561 |
| Owner-occupied share | 262nd | 561 |
| Work from home | 49th | 525 |
| Travel time to work | 243rd | 562 |
Prior Lake's figures with every place in Minnesota (CSV)
Every place in Minnesota, sortable · Compare Prior Lake 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 Prior Lake?
8 of the 57 figures for Prior Lake 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 Prior Lake 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 Prior Lake.