Mankato, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Mankato, Minnesota had a total population of 45,473, the 22nd largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $66,873, which is 25% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Mankato Quick Facts
How Mankato 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 | 44,882 | 45,473 | +1.3% |
| Median household income | $64,826 | $66,873 | +3.2% |
| Median home value | $250,600 | $261,700 | +4.4% |
How Mankato 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+)
Mankato Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Blue Earth County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Mankato | 14,211 | $80,791 | 4.5% | $262,100 |
| Eagle Lake | 3,281 | $96,964 | 6.2% | $276,500 |
| Lake Crystal | 2,606 | $83,317 | 7.8% | $204,400 |
| Mapleton | 1,728 | $80,909 | 13.4% | $181,900 |
| Madison Lake | 1,322 | $87,727 | 6.8% | $303,100 |
| St. Clair | 710 | $106,136 | 4.9% | $218,000 |
| Minnesota Lake | 687 | $68,750 | 7.0% | $158,100 |
| Amboy | 602 | $69,844 | 13.8% | $134,400 |
| Good Thunder | 456 | $81,667 | 7.9% | $178,700 |
| Vernon Center | 329 | $70,000 | 4.3% | $143,300 |
Cities Similar to Mankato
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moorhead | 45,036 | $72,761 | $249,000 | 41.6% | 16.1% |
| Shakopee | 46,012 | $107,223 | $374,800 | 40.4% | 5.9% |
| Maplewood | 40,695 | $91,394 | $323,200 | 35.3% | 11.2% |
| St. Louis Park | 49,594 | $101,648 | $386,800 | 64.2% | 6.9% |
| Richfield | 36,642 | $85,132 | $344,000 | 43.7% | 8.2% |
Population Overview
Mankato is a mid-sized community located in Minnesota, within Blue Earth County. The total population is 45,473. It ranks as the 22nd most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Mankato is 26.5 years. This is 32% lower than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Mankato is $66,873. This is 25% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 17% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.6%. This is 122% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.0%. This is 48% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $261,700. Housing costs are 21% lower than the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 50.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Mankato is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 7.0%.
Education
35.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 11% 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 93.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Mankato, 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 Mankato, Minnesota?
Mankato, Minnesota has a population of 45,473 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Mankato, MN?
The median household income in Mankato is $66,873, which is 17% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Mankato, MN?
The poverty rate in Mankato is 20.6%. This means approximately 8,668 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Mankato, Minnesota?
Mankato's population is 81.0% White, 7.0% Black, 5.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Mankato, MN?
The median home value in Mankato is $261,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is Mankato, Minnesota?
35.1% of adults (25+) in Mankato hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.