Cottage Grove, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cottage Grove, Minnesota had a total population of 40,992, the 24th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $120,791, which is 36% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 36% 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 Quick Facts
How Cottage Grove 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 | 40,124 | 40,992 | +2.2% |
| Median household income | $121,452 | $120,791 | -0.5% |
| Median home value | $359,600 | $378,800 | +5.3% |
How Cottage Grove 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cottage Grove Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Washington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodbury | 78,305 | $125,310 | 5.3% | $450,200 |
| Oakdale | 28,585 | $93,772 | 5.7% | $318,100 |
| Forest Lake | 20,729 | $92,944 | 7.0% | $393,500 |
| Stillwater | 19,355 | $105,853 | 7.3% | $414,200 |
| Hugo | 16,340 | $116,228 | 2.8% | $408,900 |
| Lake Elmo | 13,140 | $153,669 | 4.8% | $597,000 |
| Mahtomedi | 8,133 | $123,319 | 3.8% | $476,000 |
| St. Paul Park | 5,457 | $100,642 | 5.0% | $263,500 |
| Oak Park Heights | 4,756 | $82,476 | 7.1% | $354,800 |
| Newport | 4,754 | $71,979 | 9.4% | $378,100 |
Cities Similar to Cottage Grove
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maplewood | 40,695 | $91,394 | $323,200 | 35.3% | 11.2% |
| Shakopee | 46,012 | $107,223 | $374,800 | 40.4% | 5.9% |
| Inver Grove Heights | 35,906 | $101,316 | $363,400 | 43.5% | 4.9% |
| Savage | 32,889 | $125,513 | $432,300 | 53.7% | 5.8% |
| Minnetonka | 53,064 | $119,517 | $475,800 | 65.0% | 5.9% |
Population Overview
Cottage Grove is a mid-sized community located in Minnesota, within Washington County. The total population is 40,992. It ranks as the 24th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cottage Grove is 36.5 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cottage Grove is $120,791. This is 36% higher than the state median of $89,062. It is also 50% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.2%. This is 55% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 3.7%. This is 9% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $378,800. Housing costs are 15% higher than the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 88.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% higher than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cottage Grove is White (non-Hispanic), making up 73.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.6%.
Education
40.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 4% higher 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 95.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cottage Grove, 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 Cottage Grove, Minnesota?
Cottage Grove, Minnesota has a population of 40,992 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cottage Grove, MN?
The median household income in Cottage Grove is $120,791, which is 50% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cottage Grove, MN?
The poverty rate in Cottage Grove is 4.2%. This means approximately 1,705 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cottage Grove, Minnesota?
Cottage Grove's population is 73.6% White, 6.1% Black, 7.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cottage Grove, MN?
The median home value in Cottage Grove is $378,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Cottage Grove, Minnesota?
40.8% of adults (25+) in Cottage Grove hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.