Sauk Centre, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sauk Centre, Minnesota had a total population of 4,621, the 164th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $62,628, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Sauk Centre Quick Facts
How Sauk Centre 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 | 4,589 | 4,621 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $65,763 | $62,628 | -4.8% |
| Median home value | $196,000 | $225,700 | +15.2% |
How Sauk Centre 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+)
Sauk Centre Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Stearns County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Cloud | 70,629 | $61,374 | 20.2% | $225,000 |
| Sartell | 19,758 | $84,131 | 7.4% | $297,300 |
| Waite Park | 8,399 | $59,285 | 21.2% | $219,400 |
| St. Joseph | 7,021 | $74,946 | 19.1% | $237,700 |
| Cold Spring | 4,249 | $72,228 | 9.8% | $280,400 |
| Melrose | 3,671 | $59,677 | 8.5% | $207,200 |
| St. Augusta | 3,625 | $140,227 | 0.0% | $388,400 |
| Albany | 2,821 | $69,167 | 10.8% | $238,500 |
| Paynesville | 2,519 | $75,250 | 5.6% | $178,200 |
| Rockville | 2,452 | $105,329 | 4.3% | $365,800 |
Cities Similar to Sauk Centre
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. James | 4,767 | $60,242 | $122,100 | 15.5% | 18.1% |
| Luverne | 4,925 | $64,366 | $208,000 | 29.2% | 12.2% |
| Newport | 4,754 | $71,979 | $378,100 | 27.4% | 9.4% |
| Redwood Falls | 5,068 | $61,750 | $162,100 | 24.3% | 17.2% |
| Wadena | 4,419 | $56,080 | $160,800 | 17.6% | 17.7% |
Population Overview
Sauk Centre is a small community located in Minnesota, within Stearns County. The total population is 4,621. It ranks as the 164th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sauk Centre is 43.2 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. 10.5% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sauk Centre is $62,628. This is 30% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 22% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.5%. This is 110% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 6.5%. This is 60% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $225,700. Housing costs are 31% lower than the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 56.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Sauk Centre has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.0%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.0%) is well below the state average of 6.4%. The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
20.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% 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 92.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sauk Centre, 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 Sauk Centre, Minnesota?
Sauk Centre, Minnesota has a population of 4,621 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sauk Centre, MN?
The median household income in Sauk Centre is $62,628, which is 22% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sauk Centre, MN?
The poverty rate in Sauk Centre is 19.5%. This means approximately 881 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sauk Centre, Minnesota?
Sauk Centre's population is 92.0% White, 0.4% Black, 3.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sauk Centre, MN?
The median home value in Sauk Centre is $225,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Sauk Centre, Minnesota?
20.8% of adults (25+) in Sauk Centre hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.