Sandstone, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sandstone, Minnesota had a total population of 2,482, the 238th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $51,875, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Sandstone Quick Facts
How Sandstone 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 | 2,538 | 2,482 | -2.2% |
| Median household income | $50,288 | $51,875 | +3.2% |
| Median home value | $137,500 | $166,300 | +20.9% |
How Sandstone 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+)
Sandstone Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Pine County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pine City | 3,468 | $52,056 | 12.4% | $186,900 |
| Rock Creek | 1,748 | $94,856 | 8.8% | $318,200 |
| Hinckley | 1,596 | $50,714 | 19.7% | $182,800 |
| Sturgeon Lake | 568 | $79,722 | 4.4% | $210,200 |
| Willow River | 342 | $58,125 | 13.8% | $206,300 |
| Askov | 304 | $31,250 | 24.3% | $152,700 |
| Rutledge | 275 | $65,000 | 14.4% | $102,700 |
| Finlayson | 267 | $68,500 | 18.4% | $219,400 |
| Brook Park | 143 | N/A | 16.8% | $104,700 |
| Kerrick | 64 | $65,000 | 42.2% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Sandstone
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Staples | 2,269 | $52,071 | $130,000 | 22.2% | 15.9% |
| Aitkin | 2,323 | $47,978 | $181,300 | 21.3% | 22.1% |
| Osseo | 2,584 | $62,119 | $306,500 | 31.9% | 10.0% |
| Foley | 2,675 | $58,833 | $203,800 | 17.9% | 14.3% |
| Pelican Rapids | 2,586 | $63,917 | $174,100 | 19.3% | 16.6% |
Population Overview
Sandstone is a small community located in Minnesota, within Pine County. The total population is 2,482. It ranks as the 238th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sandstone is 39.9 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. Only 11.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sandstone is $51,875. This is 42% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.2%. This is 171% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 7.4%. This is 83% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $166,300. Housing costs are 49% lower than the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 52.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Sandstone is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 11.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (11.9% vs 6.4%). The Asian population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
12.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 69% 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 84.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sandstone, 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 Sandstone, Minnesota?
Sandstone, Minnesota has a population of 2,482 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sandstone, MN?
The median household income in Sandstone is $51,875, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sandstone, MN?
The poverty rate in Sandstone is 25.2%. This means approximately 355 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sandstone, Minnesota?
Sandstone's population is 69.3% White, 9.1% Black, 11.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sandstone, MN?
The median home value in Sandstone is $166,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Sandstone, Minnesota?
12.3% of adults (25+) in Sandstone hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.