County · Minnesota
Houston County, Minnesota
Houston County, Minnesota. Houston County had 18,400 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.3% since 2020, while Minnesota grew 2.2%. It holds 24 places (7 cities, villages and boroughs and 17 towns and townships) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 27055.
Houston County is one of the 3 counties of the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
18,400
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 18,843 · ACS 2020-2024: 18,653
Median household income
$79,825
±$7,881 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $89,062
Median home value
$239,000
±$7,362 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $329,300
Median gross rent
$879
±$67 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $1,280
How many people live in Houston County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 18,843 residents in Houston County. The Census Bureau estimates 18,400 for July 1, 2025, down 2.3% since 2020, while Minnesota grew 2.2%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 18,653 over 552 square miles of land.
| Measure | Houston County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 18,653 | 5,739,445 | +5 |
| Households | 8,134±170 | 2,307,955 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.26±0.05 | 2.43 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,774±42 | 2,545,030 | no clear change |
Houston County's population since 2000
From 19,718 in 2000 to 18,400 in 2025: down 6.7%. 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 Houston County?
Houston County holds 24 places: 7 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 17 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government). The largest is La Crescent with 5,261 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| La Crescent | 5,276 | $85,368 |
|---|---|---|
| Caledonia | 2,847 | $76,477 |
| Spring Grove | 1,256 | $59,625 |
| La Crescent Township | 1,118 | $110,417 |
| Houston | 997 | $55,759 |
| Caledonia Township | 637 | $93,750 |
| Money Creek Township | 578 | $98,438 |
| Mound Prairie Township | 570 | $72,222 |
| Brownsville | 566 | $66,750 |
| Hokah | 553 | $60,781 |
| Hokah Township | 441 | $103,929 |
| Wilmington Township | 427 | $65,000 |
| Brownsville Township | 413 | $99,091 |
| Houston Township | 394 | $90,625 |
| Mayville Township | 366 | $93,333 |
| Spring Grove Township | 343 | $73,333 |
| Yucatan Township | 328 | $103,125 |
| Union Township | 324 | $94,375 |
| Sheldon Township | 300 | $109,531 |
| Eitzen | 279 | $53,438 |
| Black Hammer Township | 272 | $66,250 |
| Crooked Creek Township | 252 | $82,500 |
| Winnebago TownshipGEOID 2705570960 | 227 | $106,250 |
| Jefferson TownshipGEOID 2705531814 | 130 | $110,625 |
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 Houston County?
The median resident of Houston County is 45.1 years old; 21.4% are under 18 and 23.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 93.5%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.6%. 2.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Houston County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.1±0.4 | 38.8 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.4%±0.1 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.6%±0.3 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.5% | 6.4% | +0.4 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 93.5%±1.1 pts | 75.9% | −2.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 6.9% | −1.0 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.9%±0.3 pts | 5.1% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±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 | 3.6%±1.1 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.2%±0.6 pts | 8.7% | +1.5 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.5%±0.9 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.7%±0.8 pts | 5.9% | – |
| With a disability | 11.0%±1.0 pts | 11.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.2%±0.8 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.4%±1.1 pts | 93.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 30.1%±2.3 pts | 39.4% | +5.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.7%±1.5 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.9%±0.9 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 Houston County earn?
Half of Houston County's 8,134 households earn less than $79,825 a year (±$7,881), against $89,062 in Minnesota. In 2015-2019 it was $74,312 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 6.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Houston County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $79,825±$7,881 | $89,062 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $101,996±$6,609 | $118,304 | – |
| Per capita income | $44,963±$2,676 | $48,237 | +$4,311 |
| People below the poverty line | 6.6%±1.1 pts | 9.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 4.5%±1.3 pts | 10.3% | −5.6 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 3.4%±1.0 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.6%±2.2 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 Houston County?
Owners occupy 83.4% of Houston County's occupied homes and renters 16.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $239,000 by its owner (±$7,362). The median renter pays $879 a month including utilities, and 36.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Houston County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $239,000±$7,362 | $329,300 | +$25,228 |
| Median gross rent | $879±$67 | $1,280 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 36.5%±8.6 pts | 38.4% | +16.3 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,697±$61 | $1,947 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 83.4%±2.3 pts | 72.2% | +3.3 pts |
| Housing units | 8,774±42 | 2,545,030 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.9%±0.6 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.5%±4.4 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 85.5%±1.9 pts | 66.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.1%±0.9 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7%±0.4 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 24.7%±1.7 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 Houston County building?
Builders took permits for 37 new housing units across Houston County in 2025 (35 single-family), 2.0 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 Houston County get to work?
75.3% of Houston County's workers drive alone and 13.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 1.6%.
| Measure | Houston County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 64.8%±1.5 pts | 68.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.6%±0.7 pts | 4.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 75.3%±2.4 pts | 68.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.3%±1.3 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Walked | 1.9%±0.6 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 13.6%±2.0 pts | 17.6% | +6.9 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.8 min±1.2 | 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 Houston County's census tracts?
Houston County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $70,990 (Tract 209) to $86,587 (Tract 201).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Houston County compare with Minnesota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 51st of 87 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 78th of 87 |
| Residents per square mile | 37th of 87 |
| Median household income | 22nd of 87 |
| Median home value | 41st of 87 |
| Median gross rent | 49th of 87 |
| Poverty rate | 78th of 87 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22nd of 87 |
| Median age | 20th 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 Houston 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.