Prior Lake city, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Prior Lake city, Minnesota has a total population of 27,832, the 36th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $130,278, which is 49% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 2.9%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 49% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Minnesota.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.9% — among the lowest in Minnesota.
- 51.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Minnesota.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.2%.
Prior Lake city Quick Facts
How Prior Lake city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 40 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Prior Lake city Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Scott County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shakopee city | 45,002 | $110,989 | 5.1% | $361,400 |
| Savage city | 32,706 | $122,646 | 4.8% | $395,600 |
| New Prague city | 8,195 | $98,424 | 3.1% | $323,500 |
| Belle Plaine city | 7,401 | $96,831 | 2.7% | $280,400 |
| Jordan city | 6,704 | $110,139 | 6.1% | $319,000 |
| Credit River city | 5,531 | $149,524 | 1.6% | $577,600 |
| Elko New Market city | 4,915 | $147,381 | 0.0% | $407,400 |
Cities Similar to Prior Lake city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rosemount city | 26,509 | $127,247 | $406,100 | 50.3% | 2.9% |
| Ramsey city | 28,070 | $112,060 | $345,000 | 32.9% | 3.7% |
| Chaska city | 28,146 | $110,000 | $379,400 | 46.7% | 4.9% |
| Chanhassen city | 26,001 | $138,034 | $530,700 | 64.4% | 2.8% |
| Shoreview city | 26,724 | $109,399 | $365,100 | 63.1% | 5.5% |
Population Overview
Prior Lake city is a mid-sized community located in Minnesota, within Scott County. The total population is 27,832. It ranks as the 36th most populous out of 913 cities and towns in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Prior Lake city is 39.7 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Prior Lake city is $130,278. This is 49% higher than the state median of $87,556. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 66% higher. The poverty rate stands at 2.9%. This is 68% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.2%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 1.2%. This is 68% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $429,900. Housing costs are 41% higher than the state median of $305,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 85.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 72.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Prior Lake city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.5% of the population. Asian residents account for 5.5%. The Black or African American population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 6.7%.
Education
51.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Prior Lake city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 33% higher 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 96.5%. Notably, 15.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Prior Lake 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.
Free data download: Get all Minnesota city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Prior Lake city, Minnesota?
Prior Lake city, Minnesota has a population of 27,832 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Prior Lake city, MN?
The median household income in Prior Lake city is $130,278, which is 66% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Prior Lake city, MN?
The poverty rate in Prior Lake city is 2.9%. This means approximately 804 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Prior Lake city, Minnesota?
Prior Lake city's population is 81.5% White, 1.6% Black, 5.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Prior Lake city, MN?
The median home value in Prior Lake city is $429,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Prior Lake city, Minnesota?
51.5% of adults (25+) in Prior Lake city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.