Owatonna, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Owatonna, Minnesota had a total population of 26,498, the 40th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $80,750, which is 9% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Owatonna Quick Facts
How Owatonna 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 | 26,462 | 26,498 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $81,276 | $80,750 | -0.6% |
| Median home value | $234,600 | $245,200 | +4.5% |
How Owatonna 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+)
Owatonna Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Steele County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blooming Prairie | 1,843 | $63,656 | 7.5% | $161,300 |
| Medford | 1,257 | $108,250 | 4.9% | $249,600 |
| Ellendale | 754 | $89,375 | 2.7% | $155,200 |
Cities Similar to Owatonna
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin | 26,358 | $68,057 | $163,900 | 23.6% | 12.5% |
| White Bear Lake | 23,908 | $83,554 | $331,800 | 41.7% | 7.0% |
| Oakdale | 28,585 | $93,772 | $318,100 | 35.6% | 5.7% |
| Fridley | 30,241 | $77,680 | $302,900 | 30.0% | 11.9% |
| Shoreview | 26,714 | $108,370 | $383,700 | 61.2% | 5.6% |
Population Overview
Owatonna is a mid-sized community located in Minnesota, within Steele County. The total population is 26,498. It ranks as the 40th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Owatonna is 40.4 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Owatonna is $80,750. This is 9% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also about the same as the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.2%. This is about the same as the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 3.6%. This is 11% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $245,200. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 75.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Owatonna is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.6%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
29.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% 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 94.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Owatonna, 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 Owatonna, Minnesota?
Owatonna, Minnesota has a population of 26,498 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Owatonna, MN?
The median household income in Owatonna is $80,750, which is about the same as the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Owatonna, MN?
The poverty rate in Owatonna is 9.2%. This means approximately 2,410 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Owatonna, Minnesota?
Owatonna's population is 82.1% White, 4.5% Black, 8.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Owatonna, MN?
The median home value in Owatonna is $245,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Owatonna, Minnesota?
29.3% of adults (25+) in Owatonna hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.