Afton, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Afton, Minnesota had a total population of 2,957, the 212th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $133,305, which is 50% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 50% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Minnesota.
- 58.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Minnesota.
Afton Quick Facts
How Afton Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,944 | 2,957 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $129,956 | $133,305 | +2.6% |
| Median home value | $655,400 | $679,300 | +3.6% |
How Afton Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Afton Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Washington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodbury | 78,305 | $125,310 | 5.3% | $450,200 |
| Cottage Grove | 40,992 | $120,791 | 4.2% | $378,800 |
| Oakdale | 28,585 | $93,772 | 5.7% | $318,100 |
| Forest Lake | 20,729 | $92,944 | 7.0% | $393,500 |
| Stillwater | 19,355 | $105,853 | 7.3% | $414,200 |
| Hugo | 16,340 | $116,228 | 2.8% | $408,900 |
| Lake Elmo | 13,140 | $153,669 | 4.8% | $597,000 |
| Mahtomedi | 8,133 | $123,319 | 3.8% | $476,000 |
| St. Paul Park | 5,457 | $100,642 | 5.0% | $263,500 |
| Oak Park Heights | 4,756 | $82,476 | 7.1% | $354,800 |
Cities Similar to Afton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenfield | 2,894 | $153,750 | $567,700 | 54.3% | 1.2% |
| Empire | 3,092 | $147,700 | $469,500 | 37.4% | 1.9% |
| Mayer | 2,518 | $124,917 | $342,700 | 36.4% | 4.9% |
| Dodge Center | 2,880 | $93,884 | $197,600 | 16.7% | 3.7% |
| Barnesville | 2,762 | $97,917 | $248,700 | 30.6% | 1.8% |
Population Overview
Afton is a small community located in Minnesota, within Washington County. The total population is 2,957. It ranks as the 212th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Afton is 52.5 years. This is 35% higher than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Afton is $133,305. This is 50% higher than the state median of $89,062. It is also 65% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.3%. This is 32% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 3.2%. This is 21% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $679,300. Housing costs are 106% higher than the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x. 98.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 36% higher than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Afton has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.0% of all residents. Asian residents account for 4.4%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 6.4%.
Education
58.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Afton in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 49% higher than the state rate of 39.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 99.3%. Notably, 20.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Afton, Minnesota is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Minnesota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Afton, Minnesota?
Afton, Minnesota has a population of 2,957 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Afton, MN?
The median household income in Afton is $133,305, which is 65% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Afton, MN?
The poverty rate in Afton is 6.3%. This means approximately 187 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Afton, Minnesota?
Afton's population is 88.0% White, 0.2% Black, 1.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Afton, MN?
The median home value in Afton is $679,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x.
How educated is Afton, Minnesota?
58.6% of adults (25+) in Afton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 20.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.