City profile · Minnesota · Census ACS 2023

Rochester, MN

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

121,638
Residents
$87,767
Median income
$287,500
Median home
$1,407
Median rent (state)

Rochester - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Rochester lands in the 69th percentile for household income and the 45th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

69th
percentile, household income
63rd
percentile, home value
55th
percentile, median rent
45th
percentile, safety
📝 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: Rochester, MN

Rochester is a mid-sized U.S. city in Minnesota, home to 121,638 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Rochester brings in $87,767 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 5.6%. Rochester's housing stock carries a median value of $287,500, and the median resident age is 36.4 years. Educational attainment runs 50.1% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 67.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 1,118 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Rapid Growth), up 44% from five years earlier. Rochester reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 1522.4 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 44.8°F with 34.7 inches of precipitation per year and 53.1 inches of snowfall.

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. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,407 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Minnesota's average monthly utility costs around $225 (state average). Commute times here average 15.0 minutes, with 65.5% driving alone and 12.9% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 82.3 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

Population

121,638 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Minnesota

Median Household Income

$87,767 /yr

Poverty 5.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

98.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Minnesota average

How does Rochester compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 69% higher than other cities
Home value 63% pricier than other cities
Median rent 55% pricier than other cities
Safety 45% safer than other cities

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

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Minnesota alone, Rochester ranks #161 of 229 Minnesota cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Rochester's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Minnesota, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

69thIncome percentile
45thSafety percentile

69th percentile nationally for median household income · 45th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Rochester's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Rochester's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 52 Avg. percentile National median
Rochester's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Rochester's home value compares nationally

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

$287,500 37th percentile more affordable than 37% 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%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Rochester $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 - Rochester, MN Rochester, MN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Rochester, 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 Rochester, MN median $87,767/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%
Rochester, 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 Rochester, MN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 50.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 67.9%

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

Population
121,638
Median Income
$87,767
Median Home Value
$287,500
Median Age
36.4
Poverty Rate
5.6%
Labor force participation
67.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
50.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1522.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
154.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1368.4
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
44.8°F
Annual Precipitation
34.7"
Annual Snowfall
53.1"

Schools

Total Schools
48
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
121,000 residents122,000 residents123,000 residents124,000 residents125,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 121,591 residents 124,292 residents ▲ +2.2%
Rochester's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
1,118
housing units authorized
Single-Family
193
detached homes
Multifamily
925
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
9.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 774
2020 425
2021 625
2022 1,081
2023 792
2024 1,118

Permit volume increased 44% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
15.0 minutes
Drive Alone
65.5%
Carpool
11.1%
Public Transit
4.1%
Walk
4.3%
Work from Home
12.9%
Other
2.1%

Based on 63,906 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 Rochester sits in

Cost of Living Index
98.6
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,407/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
82.3 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Minnesota

Bloomington
88,838 people
Duluth
86,863 people
Brooklyn Park
84,349 people
Plymouth
79,526 people
Woodbury
76,945 people
Lakeville
72,480 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Rochester's 121,638 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Lafayette, LA
121,537 people
Independence, MO
121,944 people
Ann Arbor, MI
121,179 people
College Station, TX
122,280 people
Clovis, CA
122,719 people
Arvada, CO
122,835 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Rochester's $87,767 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Castlewood, SD
$87,768 median income
Dayton, VA
$87,763 median income
Morton, IL
$87,760 median income
Doe Valley, KY
$87,757 median income
Mokane, MO
$87,778 median income
Winthrop, NY
$87,778 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Rochester, 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 Rochester, MN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 74.3% 9.4% 8.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.2% White 74.3% Black or African American 9.4% Asian 8.0% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 2.1% Two or more races 5.9% 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 Rochester 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
Rochester (this city) 121,638 $87,767
Bloomington 88,838 $90,677
Duluth 86,863 $66,263
Brooklyn Park 84,349 $85,964
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MN FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Rochester, MN?

What is the population of Rochester, MN? +

121,638 people live in Rochester, MN according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Rochester runs $87,767, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Rochester? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Rochester; 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.

Is Rochester, MN safe? +

Rochester has a total crime rate of 1522.4 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

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

Rochester's median home value sits at $287,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Rochester? +

The average annual temperature in Rochester runs 44.8°F, 34.7 inches of precipitation, and 53.1 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, 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

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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.