Cook County, Minnesota Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Cook County is located in Minnesota with a total population of 5,633. It is the 80th most populous county out of 87 in Minnesota. The county encompasses 1 Census-designated place.

Age Demographics

The median age in Cook County is 52.3 years. This is 35% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 10.9% 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 Cook County is $71,643. This is 18% lower than the state median of $87,556. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 9% lower. The poverty rate stands at 11.3%. This is 22% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.2%. The unemployment rate is 2.5%. This is 38% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $294,000. Housing costs are 4% lower than the state median of $305,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 79.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 72.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Cook County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.8%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 6.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.8%) is well below the state average of 6.2%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 5.0%.

Education

45.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Cook County in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 18% higher than the state rate of 38.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.3%. Notably, 17.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.