County · Minnesota
Dakota County, Minnesota
Dakota County, Minnesota. Dakota County had 457,710 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.1% since 2020, faster than Minnesota (+2.2%). It holds 34 places (22 cities, villages and boroughs and 12 towns and townships) and 106 census tracts. GEOID 27037.
Dakota County is one of the 15 counties of the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
457,710
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 439,882 · ACS 2020-2024: 445,771
Median household income
$106,318
±$1,455 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $89,062
Median home value
$381,000
±$3,081 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $329,300
Median gross rent
$1,548
±$31 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $1,280
How many people live in Dakota County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 439,882 residents in Dakota County. The Census Bureau estimates 457,710 for July 1, 2025, up 4.1% since 2020, faster than Minnesota (+2.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 445,771 over 563 square miles of land.
| Measure | Dakota County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 445,771 | 5,739,445 | +24,318 |
| Households | 174,362±654 | 2,307,955 | +12,874 |
| Average household size | 2.54±0.01 | 2.43 | −0.05 |
| Housing units | 178,879±128 | 2,545,030 | +12,281 |
Dakota County's population since 2000
From 355,904 in 2000 to 457,710 in 2025: up 28.6%. 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 Dakota County?
Dakota County holds 34 places: 22 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 12 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government). The largest is Lakeville with 79,270 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Lakeville | 69,490 | $139,041 |
|---|---|---|
| Eagan | 68,855 | $108,690 |
| Burnsville | 64,317 | $87,024 |
| Apple Valley | 56,374 | $97,673 |
| Inver Grove Heights | 35,801 | $101,316 |
| Rosemount | 25,650 | $129,625 |
| Farmington | 23,632 | $123,673 |
| Hastings | 22,154 | $93,998 |
| South St. Paul | 20,759 | $87,994 |
| West St. Paul | 20,615 | $68,464 |
| Mendota Heights | 11,744 | $132,768 |
| Empire | – | $147,700 |
| Ravenna Township | 2,354 | $131,304 |
| Eureka Township | 1,373 | $100,000 |
| Castle Rock Township | 1,350 | $132,917 |
| Vermillion Township | 1,290 | $126,118 |
| Northfield | 20,790 | $84,895 |
| Marshan Township | 1,153 | $120,000 |
| Nininger Township | 865 | $112,206 |
| Hampton Township | 832 | $117,250 |
| Lilydale | 809 | $89,583 |
| Greenvale Township | 796 | $106,815 |
| Randolph Township | 760 | $154,904 |
| Douglas Township | 748 | $101,667 |
| Hampton | 744 | $109,545 |
| Waterford Township | 538 | $86,250 |
| Sunfish Lake | 522 | $236,250 |
| Randolph | 466 | $104,286 |
| Sciota Township | 460 | $113,750 |
| Vermillion | 441 | $107,188 |
| Mendota | 183 | $111,250 |
| Coates | 147 | $82,250 |
| MiesvilleGEOID 2742092 | 138 | $95,500 |
| New TrierGEOID 2746024 | 86 | $73,750 |
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 Dakota County?
The median resident of Dakota County is 38.6 years old; 24.0% are under 18 and 15.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 72.7%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 8.7%. 10.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Dakota County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.6±0.2 | 38.8 | +0.7 |
| Under 18 years | 24.0%±0.1 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.9%±0.1 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 8.7% | 6.4% | +1.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 72.7%±0.2 pts | 75.9% | −5.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 7.7%±0.3 pts | 6.9% | +1.6 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 5.2%±0.1 pts | 5.1% | +0.4 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.0%±0.4 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 10.1%±0.4 pts | 8.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 14.1%±0.5 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.9%±0.3 pts | 5.9% | – |
| With a disability | 10.8%±0.4 pts | 11.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.2%±0.4 pts | 4.7% | +0.7 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.2%±0.4 pts | 93.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 45.0%±0.7 pts | 39.4% | +2.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 14.9%±0.5 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.4%±0.2 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 Dakota County earn?
Half of Dakota County's 174,362 households earn less than $106,318 a year (±$1,455), against $89,062 in Minnesota. In 2015-2019 it was $105,884 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 5.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Dakota County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $106,318±$1,455 | $89,062 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $131,262±$2,045 | $118,304 | – |
| Per capita income | $52,084±$751 | $48,237 | +$946 |
| People below the poverty line | 5.8%±0.4 pts | 9.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 6.2%±0.9 pts | 10.3% | −1.8 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 4.9%±0.4 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.4%±0.4 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 Dakota County?
Owners occupy 74.9% of Dakota County's occupied homes and renters 25.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $381,000 by its owner (±$3,081). The median renter pays $1,548 a month including utilities, and 39.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Dakota County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $381,000±$3,081 | $329,300 | +$53,635 |
| Median gross rent | $1,548±$31 | $1,280 | +$103 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 39.8%±1.8 pts | 38.4% | +4.7 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,129±$19 | $1,947 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.9%±0.6 pts | 72.2% | +0.9 pts |
| Housing units | 178,879±128 | 2,545,030 | +12,281 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4%±0.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.8%±0.9 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 58.1%±0.7 pts | 66.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.6%±0.2 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.4%±0.3 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.0%±0.3 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 Dakota County building?
Builders took permits for 2,330 new housing units across Dakota County in 2025 (1,378 single-family), 5.1 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 Dakota County get to work?
67.8% of Dakota County's workers drive alone and 21.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.6%.
| Measure | Dakota County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 71.0%±0.5 pts | 68.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6%±0.3 pts | 4.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 67.8%±0.8 pts | 68.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.3%±0.5 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.2%±0.2 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Walked | 1.1%±0.2 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 21.3%±0.6 pts | 17.6% | +15.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.6 min±0.4 | 22.7 min | −1.3 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 are Dakota County's census tracts?
Dakota County is divided into 106 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $49,278 (Tract 601.05) to $222,697 (Tract 610.10).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Dakota County compare with Minnesota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 3rd of 87 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 15th of 87 |
| Residents per square mile | 4th of 87 |
| Median household income | 5th of 87 |
| Median home value | 5th of 87 |
| Median gross rent | 3rd of 87 |
| Poverty rate | 82nd of 87 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 7th of 87 |
| Median age | 69th 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 Dakota 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.