Cottonwood, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cottonwood, Minnesota had a total population of 1,061, the 355th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $97,500, which is 9% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.3%.
Cottonwood Quick Facts
How Cottonwood 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 | 1,120 | 1,061 | -5.3% |
| Median household income | $90,750 | $97,500 | +7.4% |
| Median home value | $180,200 | $176,200 | -2.2% |
How Cottonwood 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+)
Cottonwood Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Lyon County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marshall | 13,896 | $68,566 | 16.9% | $210,300 |
| Tracy | 2,057 | $67,788 | 9.9% | $113,400 |
| Minneota | 1,594 | $74,091 | 6.8% | $161,300 |
| Balaton | 551 | $54,688 | 17.7% | $94,000 |
| Ghent | 439 | $94,000 | 7.3% | $150,000 |
| Lynd | 428 | $79,167 | 3.5% | $187,500 |
| Russell | 346 | $57,083 | 5.6% | $107,600 |
| Taunton | 128 | $45,313 | 25.8% | $76,900 |
| Garvin | 114 | $43,438 | 30.7% | $66,100 |
| Florence | 25 | $64,583 | 16.0% | $150,000 |
Cities Similar to Cottonwood
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Shore | 1,073 | $96,563 | $513,200 | 41.3% | 5.8% |
| Glyndon | 1,098 | $95,313 | $264,800 | 27.5% | 8.0% |
| Goodhue | 1,074 | $89,398 | $243,500 | 20.2% | 17.0% |
| Lake St. Croix Beach | 1,105 | $102,159 | $363,800 | 49.2% | 8.8% |
| Mantorville | 1,047 | $110,000 | $305,500 | 37.3% | 2.7% |
Population Overview
Cottonwood is a small community located in Minnesota, within Lyon County. The total population is 1,061. It ranks as the 355th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cottonwood is 37.9 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cottonwood is $97,500. This is 9% higher than the state median of $89,062. It is also 21% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.1%. This is 23% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 1.3%. This is 69% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $176,200. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Cottonwood is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 78.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Cottonwood has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.6%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
27.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 29% 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 98.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cottonwood, 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 Cottonwood, Minnesota?
Cottonwood, Minnesota has a population of 1,061 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cottonwood, MN?
The median household income in Cottonwood is $97,500, which is 21% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cottonwood, MN?
The poverty rate in Cottonwood is 7.1%. This means approximately 75 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cottonwood, Minnesota?
Cottonwood's population is 89.1% White, 0.8% Black, 4.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cottonwood, MN?
The median home value in Cottonwood is $176,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Cottonwood, Minnesota?
27.9% of adults (25+) in Cottonwood hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.