Cold Spring, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cold Spring, Minnesota had a total population of 4,249, the 171st largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $72,228, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Cold Spring Quick Facts
How Cold Spring 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 | 4,201 | 4,249 | +1.1% |
| Median household income | $72,022 | $72,228 | +0.3% |
| Median home value | $242,000 | $280,400 | +15.9% |
How Cold Spring 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+)
Cold Spring Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Stearns County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Cloud | 70,629 | $61,374 | 20.2% | $225,000 |
| Sartell | 19,758 | $84,131 | 7.4% | $297,300 |
| Waite Park | 8,399 | $59,285 | 21.2% | $219,400 |
| St. Joseph | 7,021 | $74,946 | 19.1% | $237,700 |
| Sauk Centre | 4,621 | $62,628 | 19.5% | $225,700 |
| Melrose | 3,671 | $59,677 | 8.5% | $207,200 |
| St. Augusta | 3,625 | $140,227 | 0.0% | $388,400 |
| Albany | 2,821 | $69,167 | 10.8% | $238,500 |
| Paynesville | 2,519 | $75,250 | 5.6% | $178,200 |
| Rockville | 2,452 | $105,329 | 4.3% | $365,800 |
Cities Similar to Cold Spring
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Le Sueur | 4,215 | $78,711 | $244,000 | 25.2% | 12.8% |
| Goodview | 4,103 | $74,712 | $254,200 | 34.5% | 5.9% |
| Pipestone | 4,129 | $67,568 | $114,100 | 25.4% | 13.1% |
| Cannon Falls | 4,227 | $84,097 | $263,300 | 24.7% | 9.2% |
| Norwood Young America | 3,849 | $71,364 | $299,300 | 23.3% | 11.5% |
Population Overview
Cold Spring is a small community located in Minnesota, within Stearns County. The total population is 4,249. It ranks as the 171st most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cold Spring is 38.5 years. This is about the same as the state median of 38.8 years. 13.3% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cold Spring is $72,228. This is 19% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 11% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.8%. This is 6% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 5.3%. This is 31% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $280,400. Housing costs are 15% lower than the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 66.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Cold Spring has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.1%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 7.0%.
Education
31.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 21% lower 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 94.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cold Spring, 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 Cold Spring, Minnesota?
Cold Spring, Minnesota has a population of 4,249 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cold Spring, MN?
The median household income in Cold Spring is $72,228, which is 11% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cold Spring, MN?
The poverty rate in Cold Spring is 9.8%. This means approximately 410 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cold Spring, Minnesota?
Cold Spring's population is 89.6% White, 0.1% Black, 5.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cold Spring, MN?
The median home value in Cold Spring is $280,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is Cold Spring, Minnesota?
31.0% of adults (25+) in Cold Spring hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.