County · Minnesota

Nobles County, Minnesota

Nobles County, Minnesota. Nobles County had 22,338 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.2% since 2020, slower than Minnesota (+2.2%). It holds 32 places (11 cities, villages and boroughs, 20 towns and townships and 1 census-designated) and 6 census tracts. GEOID 27105.

Nobles County is the county of the Worthington, MN micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).

Residents, July 2025 estimate

22,338

Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 22,290 · ACS 2020-2024: 22,041

Median household income

$66,101

±$4,139 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $89,062

Median home value

$197,200

±$11,134 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $329,300

Median gross rent

$896

±$82 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $1,280

How many people live in Nobles County, and is it growing?

The 2020 Census counted 22,290 residents in Nobles County. The Census Bureau estimates 22,338 for July 1, 2025, up 0.2% since 2020, slower than Minnesota (+2.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 22,041 over 715 square miles of land.

July 2020→2021 −128 (22,073)
2021→2022 +33 (22,106)
2022→2023 −41 (22,065)
2023→2024 +177 (22,242)
2024→2025 +96 (22,338)

Nobles County in Minnesota. Boundaries: Census Bureau 2024.

Counts, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates, with the change from 2015-2019
Measure	Nobles County	Minnesota	Change since 2015-2019
Total population	22,041	5,739,445	+307
Households	7,674±188	2,307,955	−359
Average household size	2.80±0.07	2.43	+0.15
Housing units	8,396±41	2,545,030	−263

Nobles County's population since 2000

From 20,832 in 2000 to 22,338 in 2025: up 7.2%. 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.

2000 Census 20,832
2005 (estimate) 20,709
2010 Census 21,378
2015 (estimate) 21,754
2020 Census 22,290
2025 (estimate) 22,338

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 Nobles County?

Nobles County holds 32 places: 11 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 20 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Worthington with 13,979 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.

Places in Nobles County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Ring: estimate with a coefficient of variation over 40%.

Worthington	city	13,947	13,780±60	$61,797	$210,300	17.6%	100%
Adrian	city	1,194	1,236±178	$73,438	$165,500	7.7%	100%
Brewster	city	506	687±169	$82,583	$152,200	6.3%	100%
Ellsworth	city	497	428±85	$56,875	$86,200	6.9%	100%
Leota Township	township	384	383±92	$95,417	$208,300	8.4%	100%
Round Lake	city	377	333±70	$71,667	$109,900	7.0%	100%
Bigelow Township	township	370	393±77	$94,444	$332,100	0.0%	100%
Rushmore	city	365	362±83	$44,375	$114,700	10.5%	100%
Wilmont	city	332	280±64	$60,179	$157,500	2.5%	100%
Worthington Township	township	314	438±149	$121,250	$405,400	3.0%	100%
Lorain TownshipGEOID 2710538204	township	301	244±88	$108,500	$254,700	2.5%	100%
Summit Lake TownshipGEOID 2710563400	township	290	293±83	$80,000	$171,300	19.1%	100%
Dewald Township	township	228	182±41	$81,875	$260,000	19.8%	100%
BigelowGEOID 2705644	city	227	297±132	$58,359	not published	11.9%	100%
Elk Township	township	216	235±50	$112,143	$291,200	3.4%	100%
Indian Lake TownshipGEOID 2710530878	township	216	162±36	$74,375	$238,600	5.6%	100%
Westside TownshipGEOID 2710569718	township	207	137±29	$104,583	$300,000	13.9%	100%
Grand Prairie TownshipGEOID 2710525100	township	206	207±48	$76,875	$264,600	1.4%	100%
Little Rock TownshipGEOID 2710537682	township	206	172±38	$126,250	$327,300	0.6%	100%
Seward TownshipGEOID 2710559260	township	205	157±50	not published	$328,600	2.6%	100%
Ransom Township	township	203	198±49	$89,063	$247,900	4.5%	100%
LismoreGEOID 2737412	city	202	233±83	$58,603	not published	16.7%	100%
LeotaGEOID 2736548	CDP	202	169±51	$83,125	$143,800	1.2%	100%
Hersey Township	township	191	226±58	$91,250	$212,500	27.0%	100%
Wilmont TownshipGEOID 2710570600	township	185	211±55	$85,625	$220,500	18.5%	100%
Larkin TownshipGEOID 2710535666	township	182	153±40	$82,083	$180,400	11.8%	100%
Lismore TownshipGEOID 2710537430	township	180	105±30	$79,063	$251,800	0.0%	100%
Graham Lakes TownshipGEOID 2710524848	township	176	189±54	$87,813	$264,600	3.2%	100%
Olney TownshipGEOID 2710548274	township	160	128±50	$80,000	$218,800	2.3%	100%
Bloom TownshipGEOID 2710506508	township	140	111±34	$82,292	$187,500	2.7%	100%
DundeeGEOID 2717144	city	73	79±28	$52,500	$48,900	32.9%	100%
KinbraeGEOID 2733236	city	10	2±2	not published	not published	50.0%	100%

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 Nobles County?

The median resident of Nobles County is 35.7 years old; 29.0% are under 18 and 17.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 52.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 34.5%. 21.3% of residents were born outside the United States.

Age, origin and education, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Race groups are non-Hispanic; Hispanic includes any race.
Measure	Nobles County	Minnesota	Change since 2015-2019
Median age	35.7±0.6	38.8	no clear change
Under 18 years	29.0%±0.1 pts	22.9%	–
65 years and over	17.2%±0.5 pts	17.3%	–
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	34.5%	6.4%	+6.7 pts
White alone, not Hispanic	52.2%±0.7 pts	75.9%	−7.3 pts
Black or African American alone, not Hispanic	4.6%±0.1 pts	6.9%	no clear change
Asian alone, not Hispanic	4.2%±0.9 pts	5.1%	−2.5 pts
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic	0.3%±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	3.8%±1.0 pts	4.5%	–
Some other race alone, not Hispanic	0.3%±0.3 pts	0.5%	–
Born outside the United States	21.3%±1.7 pts	8.7%	no clear change
Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+)	34.6%±2.0 pts	12.4%	–
Civilian veterans (age 18+)	5.1%±0.8 pts	5.9%	–
With a disability	11.7%±1.2 pts	11.6%	–
No health insurance coverage	12.5%±2.7 pts	4.7%	+4.2 pts
High school graduate or higher (age 25+)	79.5%±2.5 pts	93.9%	–
Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+)	17.9%±2.0 pts	39.4%	no clear change
Graduate or professional degree (age 25+)	5.0%±1.1 pts	13.8%	–
Moved from another state in the past year	1.9%±0.7 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 Nobles County earn?

Half of Nobles County's 7,674 households earn less than $66,101 a year (±$4,139), against $89,062 in Minnesota. In 2015-2019 it was $68,062 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 14.0% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income and poverty in 2024 dollars, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Nobles County	Minnesota	Change since 2015-2019
Median household income	$66,101±$4,139	$89,062	no clear change
Mean household income	$87,038±$4,890	$118,304	–
Per capita income	$31,342±$1,288	$48,237	no clear change
People below the poverty line	14.0%±2.9 pts	9.3%	no clear change
Children under 18 below the poverty line	17.9%±5.5 pts	10.3%	no clear change
Households receiving SNAP	9.0%±2.2 pts	7.9%	–
Households with a broadband subscription	88.0%±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 Nobles County?

Owners occupy 74.2% of Nobles County's occupied homes and renters 25.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $197,200 by its owner (±$11,134). The median renter pays $896 a month including utilities, and 34.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.

Housing, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Nobles County	Minnesota	Change since 2015-2019
Median home value (owner-occupied)	$197,200±$11,134	$329,300	+$40,779
Median gross rent	$896±$82	$1,280	no clear change
Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent	34.3%±8.2 pts	38.4%	no clear change
Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage	$1,456±$66	$1,947	–
Owner-occupied homes	74.2%±3.0 pts	72.2%	no clear change
Housing units	8,396±41	2,545,030	−263
Homeowner vacancy rate	0.6%±0.6 pts	0.6%	–
Rental vacancy rate	5.9%±4.3 pts	5.3%	–
Single-family detached homes	79.4%±2.4 pts	66.0%	–
Mobile homes	1.8%±0.9 pts	2.9%	–
Built 2020 or later	0.3%±0.3 pts	1.9%	–
Built 1939 or earlier	22.9%±3.0 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 Nobles County building?

Builders took permits for 94 new housing units across Nobles County in 2025 (10 single-family), 4.2 per 1,000 residents.

2019 18 units
2020 12 units
2021 9 units
2022 20 units
2023 19 units
2024 18 units
2025 94 units

Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey

How do people in Nobles County get to work?

73.4% of Nobles County's workers drive alone and 6.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.2%.

Work and commuting, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Nobles County	Minnesota	Change since 2015-2019
In the labor force (age 16+)	63.1%±1.7 pts	68.1%	–
Unemployment rate	3.2%±1.4 pts	4.1%	no clear change
Drove alone to work	73.4%±2.8 pts	68.9%	–
Carpooled	14.1%±3.0 pts	7.5%	–
Public transportation	1.6%±0.9 pts	1.8%	–
Walked	3.3%±0.9 pts	2.5%	–
Worked from home	6.4%±1.0 pts	17.6%	+2.0 pts
Mean travel time to work	19.6 min±2.5	22.7 min	+3.0 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 Nobles County's census tracts?

Nobles County is divided into 6 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $59,825 (Tract 1055) to $81,211 (Tract 1051).

Census tracts of Nobles County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates; sort by any column

Tract 105127105105100	Brewster (7%)	2,728	2,831±203	$81,211	$188,700	$732	10.2%
Tract 105227105105200	Adrian (18%)	3,068	2,898±170	$73,164	$166,900	$817	8.7%
Tract 105327105105300	Ellsworth (14%)	2,341	2,210±151	$72,969	$154,200	$988	5.2%
Tract 105427105105400	Worthington (87%)	4,911	4,827±526	$60,654	$161,400	$986	27.3%
Tract 105527105105500	Worthington (83%)	3,711	3,030±402	$59,825	$199,900	$684	11.5%
Tract 105627105105600	Worthington (92%)	5,531	6,245±496	$69,659	$263,500	$980	12.2%

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov

How does Nobles County compare with Minnesota's other counties?

Nobles County's rank among Minnesota's counties with a reliable estimate (1 = highest)
Measure	Rank
Population	44th of 87
Growth 2020-2025	48th of 87
Residents per square mile	39th of 87
Median household income	80th of 87
Median home value	56th of 87
Median gross rent	44th of 87
Poverty rate	8th of 87
Bachelor's degree or higher	81st of 87
Median age	81st of 87

Every county in Minnesota

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 Nobles 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.