Sleepy Eye, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sleepy Eye, Minnesota had a total population of 3,444, the 199th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $66,911, which is 25% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
Sleepy Eye Quick Facts
How Sleepy Eye 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 | 3,438 | 3,444 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $64,811 | $66,911 | +3.2% |
| Median home value | $138,500 | $147,600 | +6.6% |
How Sleepy Eye 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+)
Sleepy Eye Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Brown County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Ulm | 14,056 | $64,449 | 9.2% | $204,200 |
| Springfield | 2,125 | $59,434 | 11.8% | $122,300 |
| Hanska | 380 | $70,000 | 13.2% | $89,500 |
| Comfrey | 338 | $61,875 | 13.3% | $96,300 |
| Searles | 201 | $80,625 | 1.0% | $191,100 |
| Evan | 89 | $51,250 | 12.4% | $54,000 |
| Essig | 76 | N/A | 31.6% | $160,900 |
| Cobden | 12 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Sleepy Eye
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annandale | 3,399 | $65,583 | $251,800 | 23.4% | 8.9% |
| Two Harbors | 3,567 | $65,625 | $206,800 | 22.0% | 11.7% |
| Jackson | 3,287 | $70,223 | $128,500 | 31.3% | 11.8% |
| Blue Earth | 3,165 | $66,771 | $143,600 | 23.6% | 10.8% |
| Montgomery | 3,434 | $79,432 | $234,700 | 17.0% | 5.8% |
Population Overview
Sleepy Eye is a small community located in Minnesota, within Brown County. The total population is 3,444. It ranks as the 199th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sleepy Eye is 40.1 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sleepy Eye is $66,911. This is 25% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 17% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.8%. This is 17% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 2.7%. This is 33% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $147,600. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Sleepy Eye is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 78.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Sleepy Eye is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 17.3%. The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (17.3% vs 6.4%). The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
19.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 51% 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 Sleepy Eye, 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 Sleepy Eye, Minnesota?
Sleepy Eye, Minnesota has a population of 3,444 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sleepy Eye, MN?
The median household income in Sleepy Eye is $66,911, which is 17% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sleepy Eye, MN?
The poverty rate in Sleepy Eye is 7.8%. This means approximately 259 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota?
Sleepy Eye's population is 78.5% White, 0.3% Black, 17.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sleepy Eye, MN?
The median home value in Sleepy Eye is $147,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Sleepy Eye, Minnesota?
19.1% of adults (25+) in Sleepy Eye hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.