City · Minnesota
South St. Paul, Minnesota
South St. Paul, city, in Dakota County, Minnesota. South St. Paul had 20,532 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.1% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 20,759 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 20,611 (±42). GEOID 2761492.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
20,532
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 20,759 · ACS 2020-2024: 20,611 ±42
Median household income
$87,994
±$5,891 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $89,062
Median home value
$281,600
±$7,118 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $329,300
Median gross rent
$1,199
±$63 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $1,280
Where is South St. Paul and what county is it in?
South St. Paul is a city in Dakota County, Minnesota. It covers 5.6 square miles of land, 3,690 residents per square mile in 2020.
South St. Paul 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 South St. Paul, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 20,532 people lived in South St. Paul on July 1, 2025, down 1.1% since 2020, while Minnesota grew 2.2%. The 2020 Census counted 20,759 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 20,611 (±42).
| Measure | South St. Paul | Dakota County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 20,611 ±42 | 445,771 | +417 |
| Households | 8,425 ±286 | 174,362 | +372 |
| Average household size | 2.43 ±0.08 | 2.54 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,639 ±313 | 178,879 | no clear change |
South St. Paul's population since 2000
From 20,167 in 2000 to 20,532 in 2025: up 1.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for South St. Paul 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 South St. Paul?
The median resident of South St. Paul is 37.2 years old; 22.8% are under 18 and 15.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 70.7%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 17.8%. 8.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | South St. Paul | Dakota County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.2 ±1.4 | 38.6 | +2.1 |
| Under 18 years | 22.8% ±1.7 pts | 24.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.0% ±1.4 pts | 15.9% | – |
| Male | 50.9% ±2.2 pts | 49.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 17.8% ±2.4 pts | 8.7% | +3.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 70.7% ±3.1 pts | 72.7% | −4.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 5.2% ±1.7 pts | 7.7% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.7% ±0.8 pts | 5.2% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.4% ±1.2 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 8.1% ±1.7 pts | 10.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 14.5% ±2.4 pts | 14.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.8% ±1.2 pts | 5.9% | – |
| With a disability | 14.8% ±1.6 pts | 10.8% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.8% ±1.4 pts | 4.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.7% ±1.8 pts | 95.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 32.5% ±2.9 pts | 45.0% | +5.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.0% ±1.8 pts | 14.9% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 88.2% ±2.4 pts | 89.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.6% ±0.4 pts | 1.4% | – |
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 South St. Paul earn?
Half of South St. Paul's 8,425 households earn less than $87,994 a year (±$5,891), against $106,318 in Dakota County and $89,062 in Minnesota. In 2015-2019 the median was $77,838 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $10,156 after inflation. 8.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | South St. Paul | Dakota County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $87,994 ±$5,891 | $106,318 | +$10,156 |
| Mean household income | $96,589 ±$4,627 | $131,262 | – |
| Per capita income | $40,011 ±$1,733 | $52,084 | +$3,478 |
| People below the poverty line | 8.3% ±2.1 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 6.5% ±3.8 pts | 6.2% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.9% ±2.4 pts | 4.9% | – |
| Households with a computer | 95.9% ±1.6 pts | 97.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 93.3% ±2.1 pts | 94.4% | – |
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 South St. Paul?
Owners occupy 69.7% of South St. Paul's occupied homes and renters 30.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $281,600 by its owner (±$7,118). The median renter pays $1,199 a month including utilities, and 34.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | South St. Paul | Dakota County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $281,600 ±$7,118 | $381,000 | +$45,184 |
| Median gross rent | $1,199 ±$63 | $1,548 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 34.8% ±7.6 pts | 39.8% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,815 ±$69 | $2,129 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 69.7% ±3.9 pts | 74.9% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 30.3% ±3.9 pts | 25.1% | – |
| Housing units | 8,639 ±313 | 178,879 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.9% ±1.1 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 67.0% ±3.8 pts | 58.1% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.7% ±0.6 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.1% ±0.9 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 1.9% ±0.7 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 22.6% ±3.3 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.6% ±2.0 pts | 4.9% | – |
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 South St. Paul building?
Builders took permits for 3 new housing units in South St. Paul in 2025 (1 in single-family houses), 0.1 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 South St. Paul work and get to work?
69.0% of South St. Paul's workers drive alone and 14.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.9%.
| Measure | South St. Paul | Dakota County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 73.8% ±2.0 pts | 71.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% ±1.7 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 69.0% ±3.2 pts | 67.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.9% ±2.7 pts | 7.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.7% ±0.4 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Walked | 0.8% ±0.5 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 14.5% ±2.1 pts | 21.3% | +11.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.3 min ±1.0 | 23.6 min | no clear change |
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 South St. Paul?
6 census tracts lie mostly in South St. Paul, and 1 more reaches into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $71,190 (Tract 603.01) to $100,699 (Tract 603.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 603.01Dakota County | 4,501 | $71,190 |
| Tract 604.02Dakota County | 3,551 | $88,125 |
| Tract 603.02Dakota County | 3,510 | $100,699 |
| Tract 602.02Dakota County | 3,179 | $88,750 |
| Tract 604.01Dakota County | 2,876 | $92,989 |
| Tract 602.01Dakota County | 2,773 | $93,813 |
| Tract 605.02Dakota County | 4,340 | $85,208 |
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 South St. Paul) · Census block assignment files
How does South St. Paul compare with other places in Minnesota?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, South St. Paul is the 1,898th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 61st-most populous of 855 in Minnesota.
South St. Paul ranks 293rd 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 | 61st | 855 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 418th | 556 |
| Residents per square mile | 17th | 562 |
| Median household income | 293rd | 558 |
| Per capita income | 340th | 562 |
| Median home value | 335th | 559 |
| Median gross rent | 183rd | 465 |
| Poverty rate | 214th | 461 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 227th | 559 |
| Median age | 441st | 561 |
| Owner-occupied share | 425th | 561 |
| Work from home | 206th | 525 |
| Travel time to work | 379th | 562 |
South St. Paul's figures with every place in Minnesota (CSV)
Every place in Minnesota, sortable · Compare South St. Paul 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 South St. Paul?
8 of the 57 figures for South St. Paul 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 South St. Paul 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 South St. Paul.