Cosmos, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cosmos, Minnesota had a total population of 536, the 484th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $56,635, which is 36% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 36% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 10.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
Cosmos Quick Facts
How Cosmos 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 | 529 | 536 | +1.3% |
| Median household income | $50,833 | $56,635 | +11.4% |
| Median home value | $95,000 | $105,500 | +11.1% |
How Cosmos 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+)
Cosmos Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Meeker County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Litchfield | 6,576 | $54,875 | 15.1% | $187,600 |
| Dassel | 1,358 | $59,946 | 13.3% | $236,800 |
| Grove City | 814 | $53,839 | 6.5% | $142,100 |
| Watkins | 765 | $64,896 | 11.4% | $149,100 |
| Darwin | 358 | $70,000 | 10.4% | $175,000 |
| Kingston | 206 | $100,357 | 2.4% | $221,900 |
| Cedar Mills | 40 | $57,500 | 12.5% | $108,300 |
Cities Similar to Cosmos
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balaton | 551 | $54,688 | $94,000 | 15.4% | 17.7% |
| Butterfield | 535 | $64,083 | $90,400 | 10.1% | 8.4% |
| Claremont | 502 | $56,625 | $132,800 | 13.7% | 32.5% |
| Glenville | 572 | $56,563 | $123,300 | 13.7% | 9.0% |
| Franklin | 526 | $51,500 | $89,800 | 10.3% | 16.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 536, Cosmos'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
Cosmos is a small community located in Minnesota, within Meeker County. The total population is 536. It ranks as the 484th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cosmos is 47.1 years. This is 21% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. Only 14.4% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cosmos is $56,635. This is 36% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.3%. This is 65% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 2.6%. This is 35% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $105,500. Housing costs are 68% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Cosmos is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 83.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Cosmos has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.9%.
Education
10.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 75% 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 93.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cosmos, 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 Cosmos, Minnesota?
Cosmos, Minnesota has a population of 536 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cosmos, MN?
The median household income in Cosmos is $56,635, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cosmos, MN?
The poverty rate in Cosmos is 15.3%. This means approximately 82 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cosmos, Minnesota?
Cosmos's population is 93.7% White, 0.0% Black, 4.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cosmos, MN?
The median home value in Cosmos is $105,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Cosmos, Minnesota?
10.0% of adults (25+) in Cosmos hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.