County · Minnesota
Waseca County, Minnesota
Waseca County, Minnesota. Waseca County had 18,688 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.5% since 2020, while Minnesota grew 2.2%. It holds 17 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs and 12 towns and townships) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 27161.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
18,688
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 18,968 · ACS 2020-2024: 18,885
Median household income
$76,261
±$4,791 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $89,062
Median home value
$220,800
±$8,616 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $329,300
Median gross rent
$883
±$66 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $1,280
How many people live in Waseca County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 18,968 residents in Waseca County. The Census Bureau estimates 18,688 for July 1, 2025, down 1.5% since 2020, while Minnesota grew 2.2%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 18,885 over 423 square miles of land.
| Measure | Waseca County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 18,885 | 5,739,445 | +145 |
| Households | 7,477±149 | 2,307,955 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.39±0.05 | 2.43 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,922±80 | 2,545,030 | no clear change |
Waseca County's population since 2000
From 19,526 in 2000 to 18,688 in 2025: down 4.3%. 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 Waseca County?
Waseca County holds 17 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 12 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government). The largest is Waseca with 9,035 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Waseca | 9,229 | $64,074 |
|---|---|---|
| Janesville | 2,421 | $74,643 |
| Woodville Township | 1,285 | $81,042 |
| New Richland | 1,229 | $67,000 |
| Janesville Township | 576 | $111,719 |
| Blooming Grove Township | 568 | $93,125 |
| Otisco Township | 544 | $85,833 |
| Iosco Township | 509 | $109,167 |
| New Richland Township | 426 | $94,250 |
| Alton Township | 412 | $108,750 |
| St. Mary Township | 402 | $98,125 |
| Wilton Township | 381 | $100,833 |
| Freedom Township | 336 | $160,500 |
| Vivian TownshipGEOID 2716167324 | 229 | $78,750 |
| Byron Township, Waseca CountyGEOID 2716109172 | 216 | $112,500 |
| Waldorf | 201 | $48,000 |
| Elysian | 708 | $89,632 |
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 Waseca County?
The median resident of Waseca County is 40.6 years old; 22.7% are under 18 and 19.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 87.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 7.3%. 2.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Waseca County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.6±0.6 | 38.8 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.7%±0.1 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.1%±0.2 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 7.3% | 6.4% | +1.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 87.2%±0.2 pts | 75.9% | −2.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±0.4 pts | 6.9% | −1.4 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.8%±0.7 pts | 5.1% | +1.2 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±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 | 2.0%±0.6 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.9%±0.7 pts | 8.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.7%±1.1 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.8%±0.9 pts | 5.9% | – |
| With a disability | 11.7%±1.1 pts | 11.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.6%±1.1 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.5%±1.6 pts | 93.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 21.0%±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 | 1.2%±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 Waseca County earn?
Half of Waseca County's 7,477 households earn less than $76,261 a year (±$4,791), against $89,062 in Minnesota. In 2015-2019 the median was $69,857 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $6,404 after inflation. 7.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Waseca County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $76,261±$4,791 | $89,062 | +$6,404 |
| Mean household income | $90,562±$4,391 | $118,304 | – |
| Per capita income | $36,326±$1,497 | $48,237 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 7.5%±1.5 pts | 9.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 6.0%±2.1 pts | 10.3% | −4.0 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.8%±1.8 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.0%±2.0 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 Waseca County?
Owners occupy 80.7% of Waseca County's occupied homes and renters 19.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $220,800 by its owner (±$8,616). The median renter pays $883 a month including utilities, and 34.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Waseca County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $220,800±$8,616 | $329,300 | +$25,243 |
| Median gross rent | $883±$66 | $1,280 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 34.6%±8.2 pts | 38.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,503±$79 | $1,947 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 80.7%±2.6 pts | 72.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,922±80 | 2,545,030 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.1%±4.4 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 80.7%±2.6 pts | 66.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.5%±1.4 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.4%±0.9 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 23.6%±2.4 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 Waseca County building?
Builders took permits for 62 new housing units across Waseca County in 2025 (24 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 Waseca County get to work?
80.5% of Waseca County's workers drive alone and 7.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.5%.
| Measure | Waseca County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 63.4%±1.9 pts | 68.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.5%±0.8 pts | 4.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 80.5%±2.3 pts | 68.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.1%±2.0 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Walked | 2.5%±1.1 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.0%±1.2 pts | 17.6% | +2.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.2 min±1.1 | 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 Waseca County's census tracts?
Waseca County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $64,010 (Tract 7904) to $87,250 (Tract 7903).
| Tract 790127161790100 | 3,451±186 | $82,243 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 790227161790200 | 2,565±146 | $85,147 |
| Tract 790327161790300 | 3,148±188 | $87,250 |
| Tract 790427161790400 | 5,239±312 | $64,010 |
| Tract 790527161790500 | 4,482±286 | $67,324 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Waseca County compare with Minnesota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 50th of 87 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 67th of 87 |
| Residents per square mile | 30th of 87 |
| Median household income | 32nd of 87 |
| Median home value | 51st of 87 |
| Median gross rent | 47th of 87 |
| Poverty rate | 71st of 87 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 63rd of 87 |
| Median age | 54th 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 Waseca 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.