Dakota County, MN

County

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2024 Population

445,771

US Senator

Amy Klobuchar

Democratic(DFL) Party

US Senator

Tina Smith

Democratic(DFL) Party

2024 Median Age

38.6

0.521% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

5.85%

4.78% 1-year increase

2024 Median Household Income

$106,318

1.05% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$381,000

5.22% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

239,967

0.264% 1-year growth

About

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.

95.9% of the residents in Dakota County, MN are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Dakota County, MN are Dakota County Technical College (792 degrees awarded in 2023), Inver Hills Community College (666 degrees), and Hastings Beauty School (9 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Dakota County, MN was $381,000, and the homeownership rate was 74.9%.

Most people in Dakota County, MN drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 23.6 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 446k people, from which 95.9% are citizens. As of 2024, 10% of Dakota County, MN residents were born outside of the country (44.7k people).

In 2024, there were 9.5 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (324k people) in Dakota County, MN than any other race or ethnicity. There were 34.1k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 23.1k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

95.9%

2024 Citizenship

96%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 95.9% of Dakota County, MN residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Dakota County, MN was 96%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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)
324k ± 914
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
34.1k ± 1.28k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
23.1k ± 624

8.68%

Hispanic Population

38.7k people

8.68% of the people in Dakota County, MN are hispanic (38.7k people).

The following chart shows the 8 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
58,764 ± 5,921 people
Somalia
36,253 ± 4,660 people
India
31,836 ± 4,368 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Minnesota was Mexico, the natal country of 58,764 Minnesota residents, followed by Somalia with 36,253 and India with 31,836.

Foreign-Born Population

10%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

44.7k people

9.66%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

42.7k people

As of 2024, 10% of Dakota County, MN residents (44.7k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Dakota County, MN was 9.66%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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
6,376 ± 495
Gulf War (2001-)
5,031 ± 601
Gulf War (1990s)
2,413 ± 308

Dakota County, MN has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.27 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Dakota County, MN.

Economy

The economy of Dakota County, MN employs 240k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Dakota County, MN were Health Care & Social Assistance (35,406 people), Manufacturing (26,667 people), and Retail Trade (25,910 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($100,570), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($95,080), and Finance & Insurance ($93,337).

Employment

Occupations

240k

2024 Value

± 3,568

0.264%

1 Year growth

± 2.11%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Dakota County, MN grew at a rate of 0.264%, from 239k employees to 240k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Dakota County, MN, are Management Occupations (30,019 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (25,574 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (23,164 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 Minnesota.

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.

Industries

Employment by Industries

240k

2024 Value

± 3,568

0.264%

1 Year growth

± 2.11%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Dakota County, MN grew at a rate of 0.264%, from 239k employees to 240k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Dakota County, MN, are Health Care & Social Assistance (35,406 people), Manufacturing (26,667 people), and Retail Trade (25,910 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

$70,634

Median earning men ± $1,258

$53,605

Median earning women ± $1,154

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($101,838), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($88,926), and Public Administration ($88,877).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($79,198), Public Administration ($78,020), and Manufacturing ($75,032).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

2.26%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 2.93M people employed in Minnesota. This represents a 2.26% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 13.4%.

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

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

1,032
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
830
Construction
541
Health Care and Social Assistance

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

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$1.39M
Manufacturing
$1.17M
Finance and Insurance
$1.12M
Health Care and Social Assistance

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

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Minnesota went to Kamala Harris with 50.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (46.7%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.738%).

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

Voting results are not available for Dakota County, MN. Showing the available data for Minnesota.

2024 Election Results

Kamala Harris (50.9%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (46.7%)
Republican Party
Robert Kennedy (0.738%)
Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Minnesota went to Kamala Harris with 50.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (46.7%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.738%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Minnesota for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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 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.

Education

In 2023, universities in Dakota County, MN awarded 1,467 degrees. The student population of Dakota County, MN in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 2,929 male students and 3,433 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Dakota County, MN are White (957 and 65.4%), Hispanic or Latino (168 and 11.5%), Black or African American (168 and 11.5%), and Asian (85 and 5.81%).

The largest universities in Dakota County, MN by number of degrees awarded are Dakota County Technical College (792 and 54%), Inver Hills Community College (666 and 45.4%), and Hastings Beauty School (9 and 0.613%).

The most popular majors in Dakota County, MN are Liberal Arts & Sciences (229 and 15.6%), Nursing Assistant & Patient Care Assistant (158 and 10.8%), and Registered Nursing (80 and 5.45%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2023 there were 6,362 students enrolled in Dakota County, MN, 46% men and 54% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 3,592 records, of which 52% were women and 48% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Automobile Mechanics Technology
45 degrees awarded
Liberal Arts & Sciences
227 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
80 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Dakota County, MN was Automobile Mechanics Technology with 45 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
792 degrees awarded
Inver Hills Community College
666 degrees awarded
Hastings Beauty School
9 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Dakota County Technical College with 792 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2023, 701 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Dakota County, MN, which is 0.915 times less than the 766 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 957 degrees mean that there were 5.7 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 168 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 ($5,590) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($624) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

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.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Dakota County, MN was $381,000 in 2024, which is 1.15 times larger than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $362,100 to $381,000, a 5.22% increase. The homeownership rate in Dakota County, MN is 74.9%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Dakota County, MN have an average commute time of 23.6 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.

In 2025, 10.5% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Dakota County, MN. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 2.28%.

Housing

Property

$381,000

Median Property Value 2024

±$3,081

$130,675

Median Property Taxes

±$2,181

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

74.9%

Homeownership

2024

68.3%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 74.9% of the housing units in Dakota County, MN were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 75.4%.

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

Equity

Household Income

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

$106,318

Median Household Income

± $1,455

174k

Number of Households

± 2,984

In 2024, the median household income of the 174k households in Dakota County, MN grew to $106,318 from the previous year's value of $105,212.

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 $200k+ range.

Wage Distribution

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

0.454

2023 Wage GINI in Minnesota

0.458

2022 Wage GINI in Minnesota

In 2023, the income inequality in Minnesota was 0.454 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.78% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Minnesota was lower than than the national average of 0.476. 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 2024

Drove Alone (67.8%)
Worked At Home (21.3%)
Carpooled (7.34%)

In 2024, 67.8% of workers in Dakota County, MN drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (21.3%) and those who carpooled to work (7.34%).

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

23.6 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Dakota County, MN have a shorter commute time (23.6 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.43% 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 2025, 10.5% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Dakota County, MN. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 2.28%.

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

Poverty & Diversity

5.85% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Dakota County, MN (25.9k out of 443k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Females 75+.

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

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 2025, 6.4% of the children was living in poverty in Dakota County, MN. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 3.5%.

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.

Health

95.8% of the population of Dakota County, MN has health coverage, with 60.6% on employee plans, 11.7% on Medicaid, 12.1% on Medicare, 10.4% on non-group plans, and 1.04% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Dakota County, MN see 1,656 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,656 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1348 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 408 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.6% were men and 50.4% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,656 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Dakota County, MN

Primary care physicians in Dakota County, MN see an average of 1,656 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,656 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 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 25.3% under 18 years, 19.2% between 18 and 34 years, 39.8% between 35 and 64 years, and 15.6% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.6% were men and 50.4% were women.

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

Uninsured People

4.19%

Uninsured

60.6%

Employer Coverage

11.7%

Medicaid

12.1%

Medicare

10.4%

Non-Group

1.04%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Dakota County, MN grew by 10% from 3.8% to 4.19%.

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 2025, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 37.8 in Dakota County, MN.

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

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2025, 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 32.9% in Dakota County, MN.

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