County · Minnesota

Sherburne County, Minnesota

Sherburne County, Minnesota. Sherburne County had 104,194 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 7.2% since 2020, faster than Minnesota (+2.2%). It holds 17 places (7 cities, villages and boroughs and 10 towns and townships) and 19 census tracts. GEOID 27141.

Sherburne 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

104,194

Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 97,183 · ACS 2020-2024: 100,560

Median household income

$105,466

±$3,880 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $89,062

Median home value

$361,400

±$5,581 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $329,300

Median gross rent

$1,127

±$57 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $1,280

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

The 2020 Census counted 97,183 residents in Sherburne County. The Census Bureau estimates 104,194 for July 1, 2025, up 7.2% since 2020, faster than Minnesota (+2.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 100,560 over 433 square miles of land.

July 2020→2021 +1,637 (99,225)
2021→2022 +1,747 (100,972)
2022→2023 +1,416 (102,388)
2023→2024 +768 (103,156)
2024→2025 +1,038 (104,194)

Sherburne County in Minnesota. Boundaries: Census Bureau 2024.

Counts, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates, with the change from 2015-2019
Measure	Sherburne County	Minnesota	Change since 2015-2019
Total population	100,560	5,739,445	+6,097
Households	35,555±348	2,307,955	+3,349
Average household size	2.78±0.03	2.43	−0.09
Housing units	37,099±59	2,545,030	+3,165

Sherburne County's population since 2000

From 64,417 in 2000 to 104,194 in 2025: up 61.7%. 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.

2000 Census 64,417
2005 (estimate) 81,179
2010 Census 88,499
2015 (estimate) 91,441
2020 Census 97,183
2025 (estimate) 104,194

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 Sherburne County?

Sherburne County holds 17 places: 7 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 10 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government). The largest is Elk River with 27,896 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 Sherburne County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Ring: estimate with a coefficient of variation over 40%.

Elk River	city	25,835	26,793±26	$108,741	$370,100	3.4%	100%
Big Lake, Sherburne County	city	11,686	12,367±33	$120,549	$330,200	5.6%	100%
Big Lake Township	township	7,924	8,147±46	$123,077	$404,900	1.1%	100%
Baldwin Township	township	7,104	7,076±26	$106,015	$382,600	3.4%	100%
St. Cloud	city	68,881	70,629±45	$61,374	$225,000	20.2%	9%
Zimmerman	city	6,189	6,546±17	$85,645	$323,600	11.8%	100%
Livonia Township	township	6,174	6,308±18	$137,000	$411,200	2.1%	100%
Becker Township, Sherburne County	township	5,496	5,601±20	$120,917	$418,700	3.6%	100%
Becker	city	4,877	5,034±26	$86,094	$271,300	9.5%	100%
Orrock Township	township	3,544	3,642±48	$126,107	$407,300	3.6%	100%
Haven Township	township	2,610	2,164±285	$104,167	$346,800	3.8%	100%
Palmer Township	township	2,517	2,581±22	$120,625	$382,700	2.1%	100%
Blue Hill Township	township	2,507	2,571±23	$108,113	$373,300	6.7%	100%
Santiago Township	township	1,846	1,841±222	$114,318	$393,700	4.5%	100%
Clear Lake Township	township	1,675	1,521±223	$90,938	$420,100	4.8%	100%
Clear Lake	city	641	579±149	$105,625	$281,300	5.0%	100%
Princeton	city	4,819	5,274±216	$62,219	$218,700	8.5%	1%

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 Sherburne County?

The median resident of Sherburne County is 37.0 years old; 25.8% are under 18 and 12.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 85.8%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 4.2%. 4.5% 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	Sherburne County	Minnesota	Change since 2015-2019
Median age	37.0±0.4	38.8	+1.0
Under 18 years	25.8%	22.9%	–
65 years and over	12.3%±0.1 pts	17.3%	–
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	3.4%	6.4%	+0.8 pts
White alone, not Hispanic	85.8%±0.6 pts	75.9%	−5.4 pts
Black or African American alone, not Hispanic	4.0%±0.5 pts	6.9%	+1.5 pts
Asian alone, not Hispanic	1.7%±0.2 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	4.2%±0.8 pts	4.5%	–
Some other race alone, not Hispanic	0.6%±0.3 pts	0.5%	–
Born outside the United States	4.5%±0.5 pts	8.7%	+1.1 pts
Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+)	5.9%±0.8 pts	12.4%	–
Civilian veterans (age 18+)	6.6%±0.6 pts	5.9%	–
With a disability	10.3%±0.8 pts	11.6%	–
No health insurance coverage	3.9%±0.6 pts	4.7%	+1.2 pts
High school graduate or higher (age 25+)	94.4%±0.9 pts	93.9%	–
Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+)	29.7%±1.5 pts	39.4%	+3.1 pts
Graduate or professional degree (age 25+)	8.8%±1.0 pts	13.8%	–
Moved from another state in the past year	0.9%±0.3 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 Sherburne County earn?

Half of Sherburne County's 35,555 households earn less than $105,466 a year (±$3,880), against $89,062 in Minnesota. In 2015-2019 it was $109,839 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 5.1% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income and poverty in 2024 dollars, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Sherburne County	Minnesota	Change since 2015-2019
Median household income	$105,466±$3,880	$89,062	no clear change
Mean household income	$123,508±$3,750	$118,304	–
Per capita income	$45,141±$1,334	$48,237	no clear change
People below the poverty line	5.1%±0.9 pts	9.3%	−1.3 pts
Children under 18 below the poverty line	3.8%±1.8 pts	10.3%	−4.6 pts
Households receiving SNAP	5.0%±0.8 pts	7.9%	–
Households with a broadband subscription	93.3%±1.0 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 Sherburne County?

Owners occupy 83.2% of Sherburne County's occupied homes and renters 16.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $361,400 by its owner (±$5,581). The median renter pays $1,127 a month including utilities, and 36.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.

Housing, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Sherburne County	Minnesota	Change since 2015-2019
Median home value (owner-occupied)	$361,400±$5,581	$329,300	+$77,725
Median gross rent	$1,127±$57	$1,280	−$98
Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent	36.6%±6.7 pts	38.4%	no clear change
Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage	$2,050±$41	$1,947	–
Owner-occupied homes	83.2%±1.7 pts	72.2%	no clear change
Housing units	37,099±59	2,545,030	+3,165
Homeowner vacancy rate	0.3%±0.3 pts	0.6%	–
Rental vacancy rate	2.2%±1.9 pts	5.3%	–
Single-family detached homes	79.3%±1.6 pts	66.0%	–
Mobile homes	1.3%±0.5 pts	2.9%	–
Built 2020 or later	3.7%±0.7 pts	1.9%	–
Built 1939 or earlier	3.1%±0.7 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 Sherburne County building?

Builders took permits for 319 new housing units across Sherburne County in 2025 (299 single-family), 3.1 per 1,000 residents.

2019 489 units
2020 570 units
2021 535 units
2022 596 units
2023 434 units
2024 334 units
2025 319 units

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

How do people in Sherburne County get to work?

75.4% of Sherburne County's workers drive alone and 13.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 30.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.0%.

Work and commuting, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Sherburne County	Minnesota	Change since 2015-2019
In the labor force (age 16+)	72.7%±1.1 pts	68.1%	–
Unemployment rate	3.0%±0.6 pts	4.1%	no clear change
Drove alone to work	75.4%±1.8 pts	68.9%	–
Carpooled	8.5%±1.4 pts	7.5%	–
Public transportation	0.9%±0.4 pts	1.8%	–
Walked	0.7%±0.3 pts	2.5%	–
Worked from home	13.5%±1.3 pts	17.6%	+7.7 pts
Mean travel time to work	30.7 min±1.0	22.7 min	−1.7 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 Sherburne County's census tracts?

Sherburne County is divided into 19 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $58,533 (Tract 315) to $151,632 (Tract 305.04).

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

Tract 301.0327141030103	Princeton (18%)	4,098	4,439±459	$107,527	$381,200	not published	4.6%
Tract 301.0427141030104	–	3,783	3,888±457	$105,078	$374,800	not published	2.4%
Tract 301.0527141030105	Zimmerman (60%)	4,758	4,761±536	$100,682	$303,300	not published	3.8%
Tract 301.0627141030106	Zimmerman (33%)	7,667	8,029±656	$132,605	$383,500	$1,247	10.1%
Tract 302.0127141030201	–	4,620	4,497±227	$111,333	$370,000	$784	5.6%
Tract 302.0227141030202	–	2,953	3,023±217	$127,000	$419,600	$2,625	3.1%
Tract 303.0127141030301	St. Cloud (7%)	2,986	3,064±209	$112,969	$369,600	$1,875	3.4%
Tract 303.0227141030302	Clear Lake (18%)	3,227	2,988±293	$102,554	$409,200	$973	4.1%
Tract 304.0527141030405	Big Lake (13%)	3,782	3,509±443	$129,345	$405,600	not published	0.8%
Tract 304.0627141030406	Big Lake (60%)	6,118	7,025±806	$130,781	$336,600	$2,161	3.1%
Tract 304.0727141030407	Becker (65%)	4,366	4,937±493	$102,794	$311,300	$905	12.9%
Tract 304.0827141030408	Becker (31%)	5,581	5,689±548	$131,157	$373,000	not published	0.6%
Tract 304.0927141030409	Big Lake (60%)	5,103	4,546±469	$99,250	$346,700	$1,180	9.4%
Tract 304.1027141030410	Big Lake (43%)	5,397	5,990±614	$111,705	$363,000	$1,527	1.8%
Tract 305.0327141030503	Elk River	6,938	6,268±732	$105,057	$332,100	$1,198	2.4%
Tract 305.0427141030504	Elk River	5,506	5,638±552	$151,632	$433,000	$2,154	4.0%
Tract 305.0527141030505	Elk River	7,734	8,764±906	$121,701	$368,500	$1,417	1.5%
Tract 305.0627141030506	Elk River	4,969	5,367±502	$64,895	$330,200	$1,025	6.8%
Tract 31527141031500	St. Cloud (94%)	7,597	8,138±305	$58,533	$216,800	$959	12.4%

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

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

Sherburne County's rank among Minnesota's counties with a reliable estimate (1 = highest)
Measure	Rank
Population	12th of 87
Growth 2020-2025	4th of 87
Residents per square mile	9th of 87
Median household income	6th of 87
Median home value	6th of 87
Median gross rent	12th of 87
Poverty rate	84th of 87
Bachelor's degree or higher	23rd of 87
Median age	77th 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 Sherburne 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.