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Owatonna city, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026

As of 2026, Owatonna city, Minnesota has a total population of 26,462, the 39th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $81,276, which is 7% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.2%.

Owatonna city Quick Facts

Population 26,462
Median Household Income $81,276
Median Home Value $234,600
Poverty Rate 8.2%
Unemployment Rate 3.2%
Median Age 40.0 years
Homeownership Rate 76.7%
Affordability Ratio 2.9x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 32.3%
High School Graduation Rate 94.2%
Diversity Index 30/100
Population 26,462 39th of 913
Median Income $81,276 above average
Poverty Rate 8.2% 34% lower national
Median Home Value $234,600 top 30%

How Owatonna city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

3.2% Unemployment Rate State: 3.9% | National: 5.2%
65.2% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 76.7%
Renter 23.3%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.9x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

30out of 100
Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 40 | National average: 60

Education

Owatonna city Rankings in Minnesota

#39 Population of 913
#276 Median Income of 913
#187 Education of 913
#253 Home Value of 913

Other Cities in Steele County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Blooming Prairie city 1,977 $63,929 5.6% $155,800
Medford city 1,194 $98,375 2.9% $234,300
Ellendale city 626 $80,417 2.4% $150,000

Cities Similar to Owatonna city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Elk River city26,367$99,457$338,30030.8%3.2%
White Bear Lake city24,026$79,712$318,00040.1%7.8%
Austin city26,167$66,488$155,10023.2%14.8%
Oakdale city28,109$90,379$305,90033.6%6.0%
Fridley city29,944$79,274$277,10030.6%11.4%

Population Overview

Owatonna city is a mid-sized community located in Minnesota, within Steele County. The total population is 26,462. It ranks as the 39th most populous out of 913 cities and towns in Minnesota.

Age Demographics

The median age in Owatonna city is 40.0 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Owatonna city is $81,276. This is 7% lower than the state median of $87,556. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 3% higher. The poverty rate stands at 8.2%. This is 11% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.2%. The unemployment rate is 3.2%. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $234,600. Housing costs are 23% lower than the state median of $305,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Owatonna city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 76.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 72.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Owatonna city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.3%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 5.0%.

Education

32.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% lower 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 94.2%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Owatonna 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 Owatonna city, Minnesota?

Owatonna city, Minnesota has a population of 26,462 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Owatonna city, MN?

The median household income in Owatonna city is $81,276, which is 3% higher the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Owatonna city, MN?

The poverty rate in Owatonna city is 8.2%. This means approximately 2,129 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Owatonna city, Minnesota?

Owatonna city's population is 83.2% White, 4.6% Black, 8.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.

What is the median home value in Owatonna city, MN?

The median home value in Owatonna city is $234,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.

How educated is Owatonna city, Minnesota?

32.3% of adults (25+) in Owatonna city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.