County · Minnesota
Rock County, Minnesota
Rock County, Minnesota. Rock County had 9,524 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.8% since 2020, while Minnesota grew 2.2%. It holds 20 places (8 cities, villages and boroughs and 12 towns and townships) and 3 census tracts. GEOID 27133.
Rock County is one of the 5 counties of the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
9,524
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 9,704 · ACS 2020-2024: 9,621
Median household income
$71,295
±$6,478 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $89,062
Median home value
$224,300
±$14,502 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $329,300
Median gross rent
$698
±$61 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $1,280
How many people live in Rock County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 9,704 residents in Rock County. The Census Bureau estimates 9,524 for July 1, 2025, down 1.8% since 2020, while Minnesota grew 2.2%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 9,621 over 482 square miles of land.
| Measure | Rock County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 9,621 | 5,739,445 | +219 |
| Households | 4,035±117 | 2,307,955 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.32±0.07 | 2.43 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,256±49 | 2,545,030 | no clear change |
Rock County's population since 2000
From 9,721 in 2000 to 9,524 in 2025: down 2.0%. 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 Rock County?
Rock County holds 20 places: 8 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 12 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government). The largest is Luverne with 4,984 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Luverne | 4,946 | $64,366 |
|---|---|---|
| Hills | 686 | $78,631 |
| Luverne Township | 468 | $121,875 |
| Beaver Creek Township | 384 | $103,750 |
| Martin Township | 382 | $83,750 |
| Beaver Creek | 280 | $64,583 |
| Springwater TownshipGEOID 2713362140 | 267 | $103,333 |
| Kanaranzi Township | 249 | $73,958 |
| Clinton Township, Rock County | 236 | $75,833 |
| Mound TownshipGEOID 2713344494 | 235 | $88,750 |
| Magnolia TownshipGEOID 2713339356 | 222 | $97,500 |
| Battle Plain TownshipGEOID 2713303988 | 200 | $96,250 |
| MagnoliaGEOID 2739338 | 196 | $53,594 |
| Hardwick | 189 | $39,327 |
| SteenGEOID 2762662 | 171 | $60,000 |
| Denver TownshipGEOID 2713315742 | 164 | $82,500 |
| Vienna TownshipGEOID 2713367072 | 155 | $74,375 |
| Rose Dell Township | 154 | $88,958 |
| Jasper | 610 | $50,446 |
| KennethGEOID 2732750 | 60 | $76,250 |
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 Rock County?
The median resident of Rock County is 41.2 years old; 24.4% are under 18 and 20.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 4.0%. 1.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Rock County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.2±1.2 | 38.8 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 24.4%±0.4 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.4%±0.2 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.0% | 6.4% | +0.8 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.4%±0.3 pts | 75.9% | −2.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 6.9% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 5.1% | −0.7 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.5%±0.4 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.8%±0.6 pts | 8.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.7%±0.6 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.1%±1.5 pts | 5.9% | – |
| With a disability | 10.3%±1.6 pts | 11.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.7%±1.3 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.4%±1.5 pts | 93.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 26.3%±2.3 pts | 39.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.8%±1.6 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.9%±1.0 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 Rock County earn?
Half of Rock County's 4,035 households earn less than $71,295 a year (±$6,478), against $89,062 in Minnesota. In 2015-2019 it was $77,540 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 10.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Rock County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $71,295±$6,478 | $89,062 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $91,311±$4,313 | $118,304 | – |
| Per capita income | $38,826±$1,701 | $48,237 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 10.6%±2.0 pts | 9.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 11.0%±4.0 pts | 10.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.9%±2.1 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.1%±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 Rock County?
Owners occupy 76.6% of Rock County's occupied homes and renters 23.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $224,300 by its owner (±$14,502). The median renter pays $698 a month including utilities, and 34.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Rock County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $224,300±$14,502 | $329,300 | +$36,004 |
| Median gross rent | $698±$61 | $1,280 | −$136 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 34.8%±9.9 pts | 38.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,497±$94 | $1,947 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 76.6%±2.9 pts | 72.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,256±49 | 2,545,030 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 9.6%±7.1 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 79.1%±2.9 pts | 66.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.3%±1.3 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.1%±1.2 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 32.8%±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 Rock County building?
Builders took permits for 16 new housing units across Rock County in 2025 (16 single-family), 1.7 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 Rock County get to work?
77.5% of Rock County's workers drive alone and 11.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.6%.
| Measure | Rock County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 68.8%±1.9 pts | 68.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.6%±1.2 pts | 4.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 77.5%±2.8 pts | 68.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.1%±1.7 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Walked | 2.1%±0.7 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.9%±2.0 pts | 17.6% | +5.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.6 min±1.4 | 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 Rock County's census tracts?
Rock County is divided into 3 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $57,981 (Tract 5703) to $85,100 (Tract 5701).
| Tract 570127133570100 | 2,279±142 | $85,100 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 570227133570200 | 4,250±170 | $81,985 |
| Tract 570327133570300 | 3,092±166 | $57,981 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Rock County compare with Minnesota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 70th of 87 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 73rd of 87 |
| Residents per square mile | 55th of 87 |
| Median household income | 62nd of 87 |
| Median home value | 47th of 87 |
| Median gross rent | 79th of 87 |
| Poverty rate | 38th of 87 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37th of 87 |
| Median age | 49th 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 Rock 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.