County · Minnesota
Big Stone County, Minnesota
Big Stone County, Minnesota. Big Stone County had 5,054 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.2% since 2020, while Minnesota grew 2.2%. It holds 22 places (8 cities, villages and boroughs and 14 towns and townships) and 3 census tracts. GEOID 27011.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
5,054
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 5,166 · ACS 2020-2024: 5,127
Median household income
$70,400
±$5,652 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $89,062
Median home value
$169,100
±$16,418 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $329,300
Median gross rent
$745
±$99 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $1,280
How many people live in Big Stone County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 5,166 residents in Big Stone County. The Census Bureau estimates 5,054 for July 1, 2025, down 2.2% since 2020, while Minnesota grew 2.2%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 5,127 over 499 square miles of land.
| Measure | Big Stone County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 5,127 | 5,739,445 | +131 |
| Households | 2,136±78 | 2,307,955 | −162 |
| Average household size | 2.30±0.08 | 2.43 | +0.20 |
| Housing units | 3,001±26 | 2,545,030 | −151 |
Big Stone County's population since 2000
From 5,820 in 2000 to 5,054 in 2025: down 13.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Big Stone County?
Big Stone County holds 22 places: 8 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 14 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government). The largest is Ortonville with 1,967 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Ortonville | 2,021 | $56,133 |
|---|---|---|
| Graceville | 529 | $66,111 |
| Clinton | 386 | $88,750 |
| Big Stone Township | 290 | $84,688 |
| Prior Township | 276 | $70,833 |
| Beardsley | 216 | $64,375 |
| Graceville TownshipGEOID 2701124776 | 167 | $110,625 |
| Akron Township, Big Stone CountyGEOID 2701100532 | 158 | $86,250 |
| Odessa TownshipGEOID 2701148076 | 140 | $90,750 |
| Browns Valley TownshipGEOID 2701108182 | 131 | $73,500 |
| Foster Township, Big Stone County | 118 | $86,250 |
| Almond TownshipGEOID 2701101126 | 107 | $123,875 |
| OdessaGEOID 2748058 | 103 | $46,250 |
| Ortonville TownshipGEOID 2701148724 | 90 | not published |
| Artichoke TownshipGEOID 2701102350 | 89 | $125,313 |
| Moonshine TownshipGEOID 2701143828 | 85 | $94,167 |
| Malta TownshipGEOID 2701139608 | 82 | $97,917 |
| Otrey TownshipGEOID 2701149120 | 69 | $132,656 |
| Toqua TownshipGEOID 2701165200 | 43 | $143,125 |
| CorrellGEOID 2713384 | 26 | not published |
| JohnsonGEOID 2732012 | 24 | not published |
| BarryGEOID 2703718 | 16 | $83,750 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Big Stone County?
The median resident of Big Stone County is 47.0 years old; 22.0% are under 18 and 26.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 93.6%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 2.7%. 1.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Big Stone County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.0±0.6 | 38.8 | −2.0 |
| Under 18 years | 22.0%±0.8 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 26.9%±0.4 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.7% | 6.4% | +0.9 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 93.6%±0.4 pts | 75.9% | −2.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.5 pts | 6.9% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.4 pts | 5.1% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.2%±0.7 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.8%±0.9 pts | 8.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.8%±1.3 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.7%±1.2 pts | 5.9% | – |
| With a disability | 15.3%±1.7 pts | 11.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.5%±1.4 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.9%±1.9 pts | 93.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 25.7%±3.6 pts | 39.4% | +10.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.8%±2.5 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.1%±0.8 pts | 1.8% | – |
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 Big Stone County earn?
Half of Big Stone County's 2,136 households earn less than $70,400 a year (±$5,652), against $89,062 in Minnesota. In 2015-2019 it was $66,334 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Big Stone County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $70,400±$5,652 | $89,062 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $95,274±$6,064 | $118,304 | – |
| Per capita income | $41,277±$2,743 | $48,237 | +$5,022 |
| People below the poverty line | 12.9%±2.6 pts | 9.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 19.0%±6.2 pts | 10.3% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.5%±2.1 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.2%±2.1 pts | 91.6% | – |
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 Big Stone County?
Owners occupy 79.7% of Big Stone County's occupied homes and renters 20.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $169,100 by its owner (±$16,418). The median renter pays $745 a month including utilities, and 38.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Big Stone County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $169,100±$16,418 | $329,300 | +$48,615 |
| Median gross rent | $745±$99 | $1,280 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 38.8%±8.5 pts | 38.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,400±$150 | $1,947 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 79.7%±3.6 pts | 72.2% | +6.8 pts |
| Housing units | 3,001±26 | 2,545,030 | −151 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6%±0.6 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 18.1%±8.0 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 82.4%±2.4 pts | 66.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.4%±1.5 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.5%±0.9 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 33.9%±3.4 pts | 15.6% | – |
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 Big Stone County building?
Builders took permits for 2 new housing units across Big Stone County in 2025 (2 single-family), 0.4 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Big Stone County get to work?
73.5% of Big Stone County's workers drive alone and 9.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 18.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 1.8%.
| Measure | Big Stone County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 57.1%±2.8 pts | 68.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.8%±0.9 pts | 4.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 73.5%±3.4 pts | 68.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.3%±2.6 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.8%±0.9 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Walked | 4.8%±1.7 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.6%±2.3 pts | 17.6% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.4 min±1.7 | 22.7 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 are Big Stone County's census tracts?
Big Stone County is divided into 3 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $56,172 (Tract 9503) to $97,250 (Tract 9501).
| Tract 950127011950100 | 1,358±114 | $97,250 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 950227011950200 | 1,694±124 | $71,989 |
| Tract 950327011950300 | 2,075±133 | $56,172 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Big Stone County compare with Minnesota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 83rd of 87 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 77th of 87 |
| Residents per square mile | 72nd of 87 |
| Median household income | 67th of 87 |
| Median home value | 68th of 87 |
| Median gross rent | 76th of 87 |
| Poverty rate | 15th of 87 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 43rd of 87 |
| Median age | 10th of 87 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Big Stone County 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' school search.