Cook, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cook, Minnesota had a total population of 423, the 536th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $42,250, which is 53% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 53% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x.
Cook Quick Facts
How Cook 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 | 427 | 423 | -0.9% |
| Median household income | $41,750 | $42,250 | +1.2% |
| Median home value | $104,200 | $104,900 | +0.7% |
How Cook 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+)
Cook Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in St. Louis County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | 87,093 | $68,807 | 16.8% | $242,700 |
| Hibbing | 16,057 | $55,789 | 16.2% | $130,200 |
| Hermantown | 10,218 | $90,849 | 5.4% | $382,300 |
| Virginia | 8,332 | $51,720 | 18.0% | $120,600 |
| Chisholm | 4,712 | $50,891 | 14.0% | $109,200 |
| Rice Lake | 4,153 | $89,663 | 7.2% | $309,600 |
| Eveleth | 3,448 | $50,725 | 14.8% | $97,600 |
| Ely | 3,240 | $43,901 | 13.9% | $157,300 |
| Proctor | 3,100 | $67,377 | 5.8% | $224,700 |
| Mountain Iron | 2,860 | $83,293 | 11.5% | $192,800 |
Cities Similar to Cook
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crown College | 422 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Erskine | 427 | $44,844 | $117,100 | 13.3% | 9.4% |
| Elmore | 451 | $41,250 | $46,700 | 9.8% | 24.4% |
| Ponemah | 391 | N/A | $123,600 | 0.0% | 21.0% |
| Upsala | 417 | $52,625 | $147,500 | 12.8% | 7.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 423, Cook's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Cook is a small community located in Minnesota, within St. Louis County. The total population is 423. It ranks as the 536th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cook is 58.1 years. This is 50% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. Only 12.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 24.3% 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 Cook is $42,250. This is 53% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 48% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.6%. This is 25% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 7.5%. This is 84% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $104,900. Housing costs are 68% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Cook is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Cook has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.1% of all residents.
Education
24.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% 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 96.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cook, 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 Cook, Minnesota?
Cook, Minnesota has a population of 423 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cook, MN?
The median household income in Cook is $42,250, which is 48% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cook, MN?
The poverty rate in Cook is 11.6%. This means approximately 44 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cook, Minnesota?
Cook's population is 94.1% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cook, MN?
The median home value in Cook is $104,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Cook, Minnesota?
24.1% of adults (25+) in Cook hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.