Northfield, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Northfield, Minnesota had a total population of 20,742, the 58th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $84,895, which is 5% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 53.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Minnesota.
Northfield Quick Facts
How Northfield 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 | 20,678 | 20,742 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $92,000 | $84,895 | -7.7% |
| Median home value | $305,300 | $329,400 | +7.9% |
How Northfield 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+)
Northfield Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Dakota County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeville | 74,354 | $139,041 | 2.9% | $452,500 |
| Eagan | 68,000 | $108,690 | 5.9% | $397,100 |
| Burnsville | 64,463 | $87,024 | 10.8% | $355,200 |
| Apple Valley | 55,679 | $97,673 | 6.0% | $370,400 |
| Inver Grove Heights | 35,906 | $101,316 | 4.9% | $363,400 |
| Rosemount | 27,562 | $129,625 | 3.0% | $424,100 |
| Farmington | 23,902 | $123,673 | 5.1% | $366,200 |
| Hastings | 22,117 | $93,998 | 5.4% | $322,400 |
| West St. Paul | 21,382 | $68,464 | 8.8% | $301,300 |
| South St. Paul | 20,611 | $87,994 | 8.3% | $281,600 |
Cities Similar to Northfield
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South St. Paul | 20,611 | $87,994 | $281,600 | 32.5% | 8.3% |
| Forest Lake | 20,729 | $92,944 | $393,500 | 35.4% | 7.0% |
| Sartell | 19,758 | $84,131 | $297,300 | 40.9% | 7.4% |
| New Hope | 21,181 | $77,662 | $337,000 | 36.1% | 10.8% |
| New Brighton | 22,710 | $88,521 | $364,700 | 48.2% | 8.3% |
Population Overview
Northfield is a small city located in Minnesota, within Dakota County. The total population is 20,742. It ranks as the 58th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Northfield is 28.2 years. This is 27% lower than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Northfield is $84,895. This is 5% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 5% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.8%. This is 5% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 4.9%. This is 20% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $329,400. Housing costs are about the same as the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 69.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Northfield is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.2%. The Black or African American population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (13.2% vs 6.4%).
Education
53.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Northfield in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 35% 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 96.7%. Notably, 26.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Northfield, 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 Northfield, Minnesota?
Northfield, Minnesota has a population of 20,742 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Northfield, MN?
The median household income in Northfield is $84,895, which is 5% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Northfield, MN?
The poverty rate in Northfield is 8.8%. This means approximately 1,363 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Northfield, Minnesota?
Northfield's population is 76.6% White, 2.1% Black, 13.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Northfield, MN?
The median home value in Northfield is $329,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is Northfield, Minnesota?
53.3% of adults (25+) in Northfield hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 26.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.