County · Minnesota
Watonwan County, Minnesota
Watonwan County, Minnesota. Watonwan County had 11,459 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.8% since 2020, in line with Minnesota (+2.2%). It holds 20 places (8 cities, villages and boroughs and 12 towns and townships) and 3 census tracts. GEOID 27165.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
11,459
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 11,253 · ACS 2020-2024: 11,205
Median household income
$71,699
±$4,196 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $89,062
Median home value
$162,400
±$8,160 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $329,300
Median gross rent
$834
±$59 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $1,280
How many people live in Watonwan County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 11,253 residents in Watonwan County. The Census Bureau estimates 11,459 for July 1, 2025, up 1.8% since 2020, in line with Minnesota (+2.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 11,205 over 435 square miles of land.
| Measure | Watonwan County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 11,205 | 5,739,445 | +233 |
| Households | 4,227±145 | 2,307,955 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.61±0.09 | 2.43 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,881±25 | 2,545,030 | −175 |
Watonwan County's population since 2000
From 11,876 in 2000 to 11,459 in 2025: down 3.5%. 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 Watonwan County?
Watonwan 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 St. James with 4,863 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| St. James | 4,793 | $60,242 |
|---|---|---|
| Madelia | 2,396 | $76,548 |
| Butterfield | 601 | $64,083 |
| Long Lake Township, Watonwan County | 339 | $78,750 |
| Madelia TownshipGEOID 2716539248 | 305 | $98,750 |
| Riverdale TownshipGEOID 2716554556 | 283 | $111,591 |
| Rosendale TownshipGEOID 2716555780 | 273 | $71,250 |
| Antrim TownshipGEOID 2716501810 | 266 | $84,722 |
| South Branch Township | 249 | $82,308 |
| St. James Township | 248 | $99,167 |
| Nelson TownshipGEOID 2716545124 | 237 | $109,063 |
| Fieldon TownshipGEOID 2716521014 | 207 | $78,333 |
| LewisvilleGEOID 2736818 | 204 | $76,250 |
| Butterfield TownshipGEOID 2716509010 | 200 | $90,313 |
| Odin Township | 165 | $111,250 |
| Adrian TownshipGEOID 2716500280 | 130 | $73,750 |
| OdinGEOID 2748094 | 123 | $46,875 |
| DarfurGEOID 2714770 | 84 | $65,500 |
| La SalleGEOID 2735702 | 79 | $56,875 |
| OrmsbyGEOID 2748562 | 118 | $80,625 |
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 Watonwan County?
The median resident of Watonwan County is 40.8 years old; 26.3% are under 18 and 20.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 67.7%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 30.4%. 13.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Watonwan County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.8±0.9 | 38.8 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 26.3% | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.2%±0.7 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 30.4% | 6.4% | +4.9 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 67.7%±0.6 pts | 75.9% | −4.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 6.9% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 5.1% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±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 | 1.2%±0.4 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 13.0%±1.8 pts | 8.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 24.8%±2.2 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.4%±1.1 pts | 5.9% | – |
| With a disability | 11.6%±1.6 pts | 11.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.7%±2.1 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.2%±2.3 pts | 93.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 17.2%±2.0 pts | 39.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.3%±1.2 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.5%±0.4 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 Watonwan County earn?
Half of Watonwan County's 4,227 households earn less than $71,699 a year (±$4,196), against $89,062 in Minnesota. In 2015-2019 it was $66,537 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 13.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Watonwan County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $71,699±$4,196 | $89,062 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $93,447±$7,298 | $118,304 | – |
| Per capita income | $35,869±$2,631 | $48,237 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 13.2%±3.2 pts | 9.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 21.7%±6.6 pts | 10.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.4%±3.1 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.5%±3.1 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 Watonwan County?
Owners occupy 77.8% of Watonwan County's occupied homes and renters 22.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $162,400 by its owner (±$8,160). The median renter pays $834 a month including utilities, and 21.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Watonwan County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $162,400±$8,160 | $329,300 | +$43,146 |
| Median gross rent | $834±$59 | $1,280 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 21.8%±6.4 pts | 38.4% | −13.1 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,453±$96 | $1,947 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.8%±3.9 pts | 72.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,881±25 | 2,545,030 | −175 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.2%±6.2 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 82.8%±3.0 pts | 66.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.8%±0.9 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 30.5%±3.1 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 Watonwan County building?
Builders took permits for 11 new housing units across Watonwan County in 2025 (5 single-family), 1.0 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 Watonwan County get to work?
73.0% of Watonwan County's workers drive alone and 8.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.3%.
| Measure | Watonwan County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 63.1%±2.3 pts | 68.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.3%±1.9 pts | 4.1% | +2.4 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 73.0%±3.9 pts | 68.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.1%±3.1 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.3%±1.6 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Walked | 4.4%±1.3 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.1%±2.0 pts | 17.6% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.2 min±2.7 | 22.7 min | +3.3 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 Watonwan County's census tracts?
Watonwan County is divided into 3 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $60,152 (Tract 9502) to $81,685 (Tract 9501).
| Tract 950127165950100 | 3,443±184 | $81,685 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 950227165950200 | 4,849±68 | $60,152 |
| Tract 950327165950300 | 2,913±175 | $80,885 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Watonwan County compare with Minnesota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 65th of 87 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 30th of 87 |
| Residents per square mile | 47th of 87 |
| Median household income | 57th of 87 |
| Median home value | 73rd of 87 |
| Median gross rent | 59th of 87 |
| Poverty rate | 11th of 87 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 83rd of 87 |
| Median age | 52nd 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 Watonwan 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.