County · Minnesota
Olmsted County, Minnesota
Olmsted County, Minnesota. Olmsted County had 166,731 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.4% since 2020, in line with Minnesota (+2.2%). It holds 28 places (8 cities, villages and boroughs, 18 towns and townships and 2 census-designated) and 35 census tracts. GEOID 27109.
Olmsted County is one of the 4 counties of the Rochester, MN metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
166,731
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 162,847 · ACS 2020-2024: 164,498
Median household income
$95,406
±$3,039 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $89,062
Median home value
$331,700
±$5,623 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $329,300
Median gross rent
$1,370
±$37 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $1,280
How many people live in Olmsted County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 162,847 residents in Olmsted County. The Census Bureau estimates 166,731 for July 1, 2025, up 2.4% since 2020, in line with Minnesota (+2.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 164,498 over 654 square miles of land.
| Measure | Olmsted County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 164,498 | 5,739,445 | +9,689 |
| Households | 66,918±546 | 2,307,955 | +4,810 |
| Average household size | 2.41±0.02 | 2.43 | −0.04 |
| Housing units | 71,151±77 | 2,545,030 | +5,771 |
Olmsted County's population since 2000
From 124,277 in 2000 to 166,731 in 2025: up 34.2%. 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 Olmsted County?
Olmsted County holds 28 places: 8 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 18 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Rochester with 124,292 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Rochester | 121,395 | $89,389 |
|---|---|---|
| Stewartville | 6,687 | $82,632 |
| Byron | 6,312 | $124,010 |
| Marion Township | 4,027 | $116,797 |
| Cascade Township | 2,837 | $150,000 |
| Oronoco Township | 2,456 | $124,079 |
| Rochester Township | 2,088 | $246,050 |
| Eyota | 2,006 | $82,930 |
| Oronoco | 1,802 | $157,500 |
| Haverhill Township | 1,498 | $161,250 |
| New Haven Township | 1,261 | $132,670 |
| Chatfield | 2,997 | $96,078 |
| Kalmar Township | 1,117 | $160,764 |
| Salem Township, Olmsted County | 1,094 | $102,143 |
| High Forest Township | 966 | $108,558 |
| Pine Island | 3,769 | $104,432 |
| Dover | 782 | $116,250 |
| Pleasant Grove Township | 751 | $77,000 |
| Rock Dell Township | 681 | $118,333 |
| Viola Township | 548 | $111,667 |
| Orion Township | 545 | $76,875 |
| Eyota Township | 488 | $91,989 |
| Farmington Township | 399 | $87,750 |
| Dover Township | 385 | $133,125 |
| Elmira Township | 347 | $117,917 |
| Quincy Township | 327 | $106,250 |
| MarionGEOID 2740598 | 271 | not published |
| High ForestGEOID 2728862 | 126 | $128,750 |
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 Olmsted County?
The median resident of Olmsted County is 37.8 years old; 23.9% are under 18 and 16.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 75.3%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 7.5%. 11.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Olmsted County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.8±0.3 | 38.8 | +0.6 |
| Under 18 years | 23.9% | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.7%±0.1 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.0% | 6.4% | +1.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 75.3%±0.4 pts | 75.9% | −4.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 7.5%±0.4 pts | 6.9% | +1.5 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 6.4%±0.3 pts | 5.1% | +0.6 pts |
| 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 | 4.3%±0.6 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 11.0%±0.8 pts | 8.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 14.2%±1.1 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.9%±0.4 pts | 5.9% | – |
| With a disability | 10.5%±0.6 pts | 11.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.6%±0.4 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.1%±0.6 pts | 93.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 49.4%±1.1 pts | 39.4% | +4.5 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 21.5%±0.8 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.4%±0.5 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 Olmsted County earn?
Half of Olmsted County's 66,918 households earn less than $95,406 a year (±$3,039), against $89,062 in Minnesota. In 2015-2019 it was $94,703 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 7.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Olmsted County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $95,406±$3,039 | $89,062 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $132,916±$3,305 | $118,304 | – |
| Per capita income | $54,393±$1,376 | $48,237 | +$3,853 |
| People below the poverty line | 7.5%±0.9 pts | 9.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 6.8%±1.8 pts | 10.3% | −3.6 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.8%±0.8 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.2%±0.7 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 Olmsted County?
Owners occupy 70.6% of Olmsted County's occupied homes and renters 29.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $331,700 by its owner (±$5,623). The median renter pays $1,370 a month including utilities, and 36.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Olmsted County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $331,700±$5,623 | $329,300 | +$67,593 |
| Median gross rent | $1,370±$37 | $1,280 | +$179 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 36.5%±2.7 pts | 38.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,956±$41 | $1,947 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 70.6%±1.1 pts | 72.2% | −2.1 pts |
| Housing units | 71,151±77 | 2,545,030 | +5,771 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6%±0.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.1%±1.4 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 63.9%±1.2 pts | 66.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.6%±0.5 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.2%±0.5 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 8.6%±0.8 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 Olmsted County building?
Builders took permits for 542 new housing units across Olmsted County in 2025 (326 single-family), 3.3 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 Olmsted County get to work?
66.9% of Olmsted County's workers drive alone and 15.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 18.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.6%.
| Measure | Olmsted County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 69.8%±0.8 pts | 68.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6%±0.5 pts | 4.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 66.9%±1.3 pts | 68.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.3%±1.0 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 2.9%±0.5 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Walked | 3.7%±0.5 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 15.4%±0.8 pts | 17.6% | +10.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.7 min±0.9 | 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 Olmsted County's census tracts?
Olmsted County is divided into 35 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $42,432 (Tract 1) to $232,906 (Tract 12.03).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Olmsted County compare with Minnesota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 7th of 87 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 25th of 87 |
| Residents per square mile | 8th of 87 |
| Median household income | 11th of 87 |
| Median home value | 11th of 87 |
| Median gross rent | 7th of 87 |
| Poverty rate | 71st of 87 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 3rd of 87 |
| Median age | 71st 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 Olmsted 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.