Rochester, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rochester, Minnesota had a total population of 122,330, the 3rd largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $89,389, which is about the same as the state average. The poverty rate is 8.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Rochester is the 3rd largest city in Minnesota with a population of 122,330.
- 50.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Minnesota.
Rochester Quick Facts
How Rochester 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 | 121,638 | 122,330 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $87,767 | $89,389 | +1.8% |
| Median home value | $287,500 | $310,500 | +8.0% |
How Rochester 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Rochester Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Olmsted County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stewartville | 6,807 | $82,632 | 4.8% | $265,300 |
| Byron | 6,646 | $124,010 | 4.2% | $345,300 |
| Pine Island | 3,580 | $104,432 | 4.0% | $350,500 |
| Chatfield | 2,559 | $96,078 | 5.3% | $241,600 |
| Eyota | 1,944 | $82,930 | 9.1% | $278,200 |
| Oronoco | 1,679 | $157,500 | 2.9% | $505,000 |
| Dover | 895 | $116,250 | 3.8% | $305,200 |
| Marion | 314 | N/A | 12.7% | $248,800 |
| High Forest | 124 | $128,750 | 0.0% | $314,300 |
Cities Similar to Rochester
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | 88,665 | $93,211 | $361,700 | 46.2% | 9.2% |
| Brooklyn Park | 83,876 | $89,891 | $336,200 | 32.7% | 9.5% |
| Duluth | 87,093 | $68,807 | $242,700 | 44.0% | 16.8% |
| Blaine | 72,488 | $106,801 | $352,400 | 36.9% | 7.2% |
| Woodbury | 78,305 | $125,310 | $450,200 | 61.3% | 5.3% |
Population Overview
Rochester is a major urban center located in Minnesota, within Olmsted County. The total population is 122,330. It ranks as the 3rd most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rochester is 36.3 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rochester is $89,389. This is about the same as the state median of $89,062. It is also 11% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.5%. This is 8% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 3.7%. This is 8% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $310,500. Housing costs are 6% lower than the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 65.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Rochester is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 9.8%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (7.8% vs 5.1%).
Education
50.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Rochester in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 29% 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 94.7%. Notably, 22.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rochester, 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 Rochester, Minnesota?
Rochester, Minnesota has a population of 122,330 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rochester, MN?
The median household income in Rochester is $89,389, which is 11% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rochester, MN?
The poverty rate in Rochester is 8.5%. This means approximately 10,216 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rochester, Minnesota?
Rochester's population is 70.6% White, 9.8% Black, 6.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rochester, MN?
The median home value in Rochester is $310,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Rochester, Minnesota?
50.9% of adults (25+) in Rochester hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 22.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.