Dakota County, MN

County

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2021 Population

435,863

2.49% 1-year growth

US Senator

Amy Klobuchar

Democratic
(DFL) Party

US Senator

Tina Smith

Democratic
(DFL) Party

2021 Median Age

38.1

0.263% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

5.46%

5.75% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$93,892

6.13% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$294,700

5.14% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

237,647

1.42% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Dakota County, MN had a population of 436k people with a median age of 38.1 and a median household income of $93,892. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Dakota County, MN grew from 425,271 to 435,863, a 2.49% increase and its median household income grew from $88,468 to $93,892, a 6.13% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Dakota County, MN are White (Non-Hispanic) (76.4%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (6.63%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (5.05%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.88%), and White (Hispanic) (3.11%).

None of the households in Dakota County, MN reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

96% of the residents in Dakota County, MN are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Dakota County, MN are Dakota County Technical College (794 degrees awarded in 2021) and Inver Hills Community College (680 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Dakota County, MN was $294,700, and the homeownership rate was 75.7%.

Most people in Dakota County, MN drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 24.9 minutes. The average car ownership in Dakota County, MN was 2 cars per household.

Dakota County, MN borders Goodhue County, MN, Hennepin County, MN, Ramsey County, MN, Rice County, MN, Scott County, MN, Washington County, MN, and Pierce County, WI.

About the photo: Hastings, MN

Photo by Brendan Scherer

United States Minnesota Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI

Population & Diversity

Dakota County, MN is home to a population of 436k people, from which 96% are citizens. As of 2021, 9.69% of Dakota County, MN residents were born outside of the country (42.2k people).

In 2021, there were 11.5 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (333k people) in Dakota County, MN than any other race or ethnicity. There were 28.9k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 22k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

96%

2021 Citizenship

95.8%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 96% of Dakota County, MN residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Dakota County, MN was 95.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Dakota County, MN compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Dakota County, MN

White (Non-Hispanic)
333k ± 597
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
28.9k ± 1.23k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
22k ± 597

7.51%

Hispanic Population

32.7k people

7.51% of the people in Dakota County, MN are hispanic (32.7k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Dakota County, MN as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Minnesota.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
55,478 ± 5,754 people
Somalia
39,298 ± 4,850 people
India
30,033 ± 4,243 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Minnesota was Mexico, the natal country of 55,478 Minnesota residents, followed by Somalia with 39,298 and India with 30,033.

Foreign-Born Population

9.69%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

42.2k people

9.89%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

42k people

As of 2021, 9.69% of Dakota County, MN residents (42.2k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Dakota County, MN was 9.89%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Dakota County, MN compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
7,292 ± 473
Gulf War (2001-)
4,289 ± 531
Gulf War (1990s)
2,524 ± 315

Dakota County, MN has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.7 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Dakota County, MN employs 238k people. The largest industries in Dakota County, MN are Health Care & Social Assistance (34,126 people), Retail Trade (27,089 people), and Manufacturing (26,232 people), and the highest paying industries are Finance & Insurance ($81,379), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($80,140), and Utilities ($79,814).

Males in Minnesota have an average income that is 1.29 times higher than the average income of females, which is $62,287. The income inequality in Minnesota (measured using the Gini index) is 0.459, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

238k

2021 Value

± 3,435

1.42%

1 Year growth

± 2.06%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Dakota County, MN grew at a rate of 1.42%, from 234k employees to 238k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Dakota County, MN, are Management Occupations (28,695 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (26,091 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (24,454 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Dakota County, MN.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Minnesota (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

238k

2021 Value

± 3,435

1.42%

1 Year growth

± 2.06%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Dakota County, MN grew at a rate of 1.42%, from 234k employees to 238k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Dakota County, MN, are Health Care & Social Assistance (34,126 people), Retail Trade (27,089 people), and Manufacturing (26,232 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Dakota County, MN, though some of these residents may live in Dakota County, MN and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$63,158

Median earning men ± $967

$43,884

Median earning women ± $759

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($92,841), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($80,900), and Public Administration ($76,553).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($64,229), Public Administration ($62,582), and Wholesale Trade ($59,677).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Minnesota. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Minnesota.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

3,753
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
2,957
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services
2,606
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$4.25M
Manufacturing
$3.27M
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
$2.82M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Minnesota to other states, or from other states to Minnesota.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Minnesota product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $28.4B, followed by Electronics ($26.2B) and Precision instruments ($23.9B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Minnesota products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Minnesota.

$333B

2020 Value in Minnesota

$636B

Projected 2050 Value in Minnesota

91% growth

In 2020, total outbound Minnesota trade was $333B. This is expected to increase 91% to $636B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Minnesota trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Minnesota to other states, or from other states to Minnesota.

Most Common Trade Partners

Wisconsin
$25.1B
Iowa
$14.8B
Illinois
$14B

In 2020, the top outbound Minnesota domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Wisconsin with $25.1B, followed by Iowa with $14.8B and Illinois and $14B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Minnesota shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Dakota County, MN went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 55.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (41.8%), followed by Other (1.34%).

Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith are the senators currently representing the state of Minnesota. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Minnesota is currently represented by 8 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (55.7%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (41.8%)
Republican Party
Other (1.34%)
Green and Other Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Dakota County, MN went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 55.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (41.8%), followed by Other (1.34%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Dakota County, MN for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Minnesota

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Minnesota.

Amy Klobuchar

Senator from Minnesota

Assumed office on January 3, 2007
The Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL) is the Minnesota affiliate of the Democratic Party (United States)|U.S. Democratic Party and its members are counted as Democrats.

Tina Smith

Senator from Minnesota

Assumed office on January 3, 2018
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Al Franken.

Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith are the senators currently representing Minnesota.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Minnesota over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Minnesota

Minnesota is currently represented by 8 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Minnesota have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Dakota County, MN awarded 1,485 degrees. The student population of Dakota County, MN in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 2,727 male students and 3,469 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Dakota County, MN are White (1,036 and 70.2%), followed by Black or African American (138 and 9.36%), Hispanic or Latino (137 and 9.29%), and Two or More Races (58 and 3.93%).

The largest universities in Dakota County, MN by number of degrees awarded are Dakota County Technical College (794 and 53.5%) and Inver Hills Community College (680 and 45.8%).

The most popular majors in Dakota County, MN are Liberal Arts & Sciences (251 and 16.9%), Nursing Assistant & Patient Care Assistant (180 and 12.1%), and Registered Nursing (89 and 5.99%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2021 there were 6,196 students enrolled in Dakota County, MN, 44% men and 56% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 3,753 records, of which 54.1% were women and 45.9% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Liberal Arts & Sciences
251 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
89 degrees awarded
Other Multidisciplinary Studies
48 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Dakota County, MN was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 251 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Dakota County, MN according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Dakota County Technical College
794 degrees awarded
Inver Hills Community College
680 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Dakota County Technical College with 794 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2021, 645 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Dakota County, MN, which is 0.768 times less than the 840 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 1,036 degrees mean that there were 7.51 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 138 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Public, 2-year ($5,401) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($608) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,200) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Minnesota.

Measure

In 2021, 0.858% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.954% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Minnesota.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (1.07M), Bachelors Degree (1.02M), and Some college (978k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Dakota County, MN was $294,700 in 2021, which is 1.2 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $280,300 to $294,700, a 5.14% increase. The homeownership rate in Dakota County, MN is 75.7%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Dakota County, MN have an average commute time of 24.9 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Dakota County, MN is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Dakota County, MN is $93,892. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Dakota County, MN was Census Tract 608.16 with a value of $167,431, followed by Census Tract 610.03 and Census Tract 605.08, with respective values of $151,250 and $150,859.

In 2022, 10.6% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Dakota County, MN. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 2.25%.

Housing

Property

$294,700

Median Property Value 2021

±$2,733

$126,340

Median Property Taxes

±$2,305

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Dakota County, MN the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Dakota County, MN compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

75.7%

Homeownership

2021

68.1%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 75.7% of the housing units in Dakota County, MN were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 75.1%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Dakota County, MN compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 608.16
Census Tract 610.03
Census Tract 605.08

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Dakota County, MN was Census Tract 608.16 with a value of $167,431, followed by Census Tract 610.03 and Census Tract 605.08, with respective values of $151,250 and $150,859.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Dakota County, MN colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$93,892

Median Household Income

± $1,088

167k

Number of Households

± 2,684

In 2021, the median household income of the 167k households in Dakota County, MN grew to $93,892 from the previous year's value of $88,468.

The following chart displays the households in Dakota County, MN distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Dakota County, MN is from Minnesota.

0.459

2021 Wage GINI in Minnesota

0.458

2020 Wage GINI in Minnesota

In 2021, the income inequality in Minnesota was 0.459 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.234% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Minnesota was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Minnesota in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Minnesota across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (75.2%)
Worked At Home (12.4%)
Carpooled (7.51%)

In 2021, 75.2% of workers in Dakota County, MN drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (12.4%) and those who carpooled to work (7.51%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

24.9 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Dakota County, MN have a shorter commute time (24.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.35% of the workforce in Dakota County, MN have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Dakota County, MN compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Dakota County, MN distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Dakota County, MN have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 10.6% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Dakota County, MN. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 2.25%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

5.46% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Dakota County, MN (23.6k out of 433k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Females 18 - 24.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Dakota County, MN is White, followed by Hispanic and Black.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 5.4% of the children was living in poverty in Dakota County, MN. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 4.5%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 141 in Dakota County, MN. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 30.4 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

96.4% of the population of Dakota County, MN has health coverage, with 63.7% on employee plans, 11% on Medicaid, 10.9% on Medicare, 9.95% on non-group plans, and 0.94% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Dakota County, MN see 1554 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.57% increase from the previous year (1530 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1349 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 499 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49% were men and 51% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,554 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Dakota County, MN

Primary care physicians in Dakota County, MN see an average of 1,554 patients per year. This represents a 1.57% increase from the previous year (1,530 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Dakota County, MN in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 26% under 18 years, 19.3% between 18 and 34 years, 40.6% between 35 and 64 years, and 14.1% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49% were men and 51% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

3.57%

Uninsured

63.7%

Employer Coverage

11%

Medicaid

10.9%

Medicare

9.95%

Non-Group

0.94%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Dakota County, MN declined by 6.16% from 3.8% to 3.57%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Dakota County, MN changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 35.6 in Dakota County, MN.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Dakota County, MN.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 30.6% in Dakota County, MN.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Dakota County, MN.

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