Cottage Grove city, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Cottage Grove city, Minnesota has a total population of 40,124, the 25th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $121,452, which is 39% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.2%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Minnesota.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.2% — among the lowest in Minnesota.
Cottage Grove city Quick Facts
How Cottage Grove city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 40 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cottage Grove city Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Washington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodbury city | 76,945 | $126,222 | 4.9% | $434,900 |
| Oakdale city | 28,109 | $90,379 | 6.0% | $305,900 |
| White Bear Lake city | 24,026 | $79,712 | 7.8% | $318,000 |
| Hastings city | 22,050 | $92,940 | 5.6% | $294,100 |
| Forest Lake city | 20,678 | $89,879 | 6.7% | $375,900 |
| Stillwater city | 19,323 | $109,297 | 7.7% | $398,100 |
| Hugo city | 16,076 | $114,057 | 1.7% | $394,200 |
| Lake Elmo city | 12,504 | $153,407 | 4.3% | $588,900 |
| Mahtomedi city | 8,108 | $132,326 | 3.9% | $466,100 |
| St. Paul Park city | 5,464 | $98,670 | 5.4% | $252,800 |
Cities Similar to Cottage Grove city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shakopee city | 45,002 | $110,989 | $361,400 | 39.9% | 5.1% |
| Maplewood city | 40,981 | $88,534 | $291,300 | 36.3% | 10.0% |
| Inver Grove Heights city | 35,772 | $104,055 | $352,300 | 43.0% | 4.6% |
| Savage city | 32,706 | $122,646 | $395,600 | 51.5% | 4.8% |
| Andover city | 32,825 | $131,528 | $389,200 | 37.7% | 3.4% |
Population Overview
Cottage Grove city is a mid-sized community located in Minnesota, within Washington County. The total population is 40,124. It ranks as the 25th most populous out of 913 cities and towns in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cottage Grove city is 36.8 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cottage Grove city is $121,452. This is 39% higher than the state median of $87,556. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 55% higher. The poverty rate stands at 4.2%. This is 55% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.2%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 3.5%. This is 11% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $359,600. Housing costs are 18% higher than the state median of $305,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 88.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% higher than the state average of 72.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cottage Grove city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.8%.
Education
39.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 1% 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 95.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cottage Grove city, Minnesota is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Minnesota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 913 Census-designated places in Minnesota. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Cottage Grove city, Minnesota?
Cottage Grove city, Minnesota has a population of 40,124 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cottage Grove city, MN?
The median household income in Cottage Grove city is $121,452, which is 55% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Cottage Grove city, MN?
The poverty rate in Cottage Grove city is 4.2%. This means approximately 1,668 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cottage Grove city, Minnesota?
Cottage Grove city's population is 76.1% White, 5.3% Black, 6.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cottage Grove city, MN?
The median home value in Cottage Grove city is $359,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Cottage Grove city, Minnesota?
39.3% of adults (25+) in Cottage Grove city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.