City · Minnesota
West St. Paul, Minnesota
West St. Paul, city, in Dakota County, Minnesota. West St. Paul had 21,950 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 6.5% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 20,615 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 21,382 (±28). GEOID 2769700.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
21,950
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 20,615 · ACS 2020-2024: 21,382 ±28
Median household income
$68,464
±$8,274 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $89,062
Median home value
$301,300
±$14,743 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $329,300
Median gross rent
$1,282
±$103 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $1,280
Where is West St. Paul and what county is it in?
West St. Paul is a city in Dakota County, Minnesota. It covers 4.9 square miles of land, 4,200 residents per square mile in 2020.
West 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 West St. Paul, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 21,950 people lived in West St. Paul on July 1, 2025, up 6.5% since 2020, faster than Minnesota (+2.2%). The 2020 Census counted 20,615 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 21,382 (±28).
| Measure | West St. Paul | Dakota County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 21,382 ±28 | 445,771 | +1,603 |
| Households | 9,780 ±442 | 174,362 | +1,305 |
| Average household size | 2.16 ±0.10 | 2.54 | −0.14 |
| Housing units | 10,312 ±437 | 178,879 | +1,471 |
West St. Paul's population since 2000
From 19,405 in 2000 to 21,950 in 2025: up 13.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for West 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 West St. Paul?
The median resident of West St. Paul is 39.8 years old; 19.5% are under 18 and 20.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 66.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 20.7%. 9.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | West St. Paul | Dakota County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.8 ±2.5 | 38.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 19.5% ±1.9 pts | 24.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.5% ±2.5 pts | 15.9% | – |
| Male | 45.8% ±2.2 pts | 49.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 20.7% ±2.9 pts | 8.7% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 66.2% ±3.8 pts | 72.7% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 5.8% ±1.8 pts | 7.7% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.1% ±0.7 pts | 5.2% | −3.7 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.3 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 | 5.5% ±1.8 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.4 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 9.2% ±1.8 pts | 10.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 15.4% ±2.7 pts | 14.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.6% ±1.3 pts | 5.9% | – |
| With a disability | 16.4% ±2.5 pts | 10.8% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.0% ±2.0 pts | 4.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.5% ±2.2 pts | 95.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 35.5% ±3.2 pts | 45.0% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 11.9% ±2.1 pts | 14.9% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 86.2% ±2.9 pts | 89.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.0% ±0.6 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 West St. Paul earn?
Half of West St. Paul's 9,780 households earn less than $68,464 a year (±$8,274), against $106,318 in Dakota County and $89,062 in Minnesota. In 2015-2019 it was $69,038 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 8.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | West St. Paul | Dakota County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $68,464 ±$8,274 | $106,318 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $95,268 ±$7,413 | $131,262 | – |
| Per capita income | $44,887 ±$3,346 | $52,084 | +$5,708 |
| People below the poverty line | 8.9% ±2.5 pts | 5.8% | −4.5 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 8.6% ±5.4 pts | 6.2% | −11.4 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.3% ±2.8 pts | 4.9% | – |
| Households with a computer | 92.7% ±2.8 pts | 97.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.8% ±3.8 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 West St. Paul?
Owners occupy 57.2% of West St. Paul's occupied homes and renters 42.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $301,300 by its owner (±$14,743). The median renter pays $1,282 a month including utilities, and 49.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | West St. Paul | Dakota County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $301,300 ±$14,743 | $381,000 | +$55,900 |
| Median gross rent | $1,282 ±$103 | $1,548 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 49.1% ±6.9 pts | 39.8% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,848 ±$93 | $2,129 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 57.2% ±3.9 pts | 74.9% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 42.8% ±3.9 pts | 25.1% | – |
| Housing units | 10,312 ±437 | 178,879 | +1,471 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.2% ±3.6 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 47.9% ±3.4 pts | 58.1% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.2% ±0.8 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 7.5% ±2.4 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 10.5% ±2.1 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 14.7% ±3.7 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 West St. Paul building?
Builders took permits for 28 new housing units in West St. Paul in 2025 (28 in single-family houses), 1.3 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 West St. Paul work and get to work?
68.0% of West St. Paul's workers drive alone and 19.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.5%.
| Measure | West St. Paul | Dakota County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 66.2% ±2.8 pts | 71.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5% ±1.7 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 68.0% ±4.1 pts | 67.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.5% ±2.6 pts | 7.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.3% ±0.9 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Walked | 2.1% ±1.1 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 19.6% ±3.3 pts | 21.3% | +15.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.4 min ±1.8 | 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 West St. Paul?
5 census tracts lie mostly in West St. Paul (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $49,278 (Tract 601.05) to $136,477 (Tract 601.03).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 601.05Dakota County | 6,026 | $49,278 |
| Tract 601.04Dakota County | 5,558 | $54,474 |
| Tract 601.01Dakota County | 3,963 | $62,212 |
| Tract 601.03Dakota County | 2,977 | $136,477 |
| Tract 601.02Dakota County | 2,858 | $112,724 |
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 West St. Paul) · Census block assignment files
How does West St. Paul compare with other places in Minnesota?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, West St. Paul is the 1,798th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 57th-most populous of 855 in Minnesota.
West St. Paul ranks 434th 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 | 57th | 855 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 74th | 556 |
| Residents per square mile | 13th | 562 |
| Median household income | 434th | 558 |
| Per capita income | 249th | 562 |
| Median home value | 302nd | 559 |
| Median gross rent | 160th | 465 |
| Poverty rate | 189th | 461 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 190th | 559 |
| Median age | 345th | 561 |
| Owner-occupied share | 532nd | 561 |
| Work from home | 110th | 525 |
| Travel time to work | 330th | 562 |
West St. Paul's figures with every place in Minnesota (CSV)
Every place in Minnesota, sortable · Compare West 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 West St. Paul?
7 of the 57 figures for West 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 West 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 West St. Paul.