South St. Paul, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, South St. Paul, Minnesota had a total population of 20,611, the 60th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $87,994, which is 1% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
South St. Paul Quick Facts
How South St. Paul 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 | 20,633 | 20,611 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $84,472 | $87,994 | +4.2% |
| Median home value | $266,800 | $281,600 | +5.5% |
How South St. Paul 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+)
South St. Paul Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Dakota County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeville | 74,354 | $139,041 | 2.9% | $452,500 |
| Eagan | 68,000 | $108,690 | 5.9% | $397,100 |
| Burnsville | 64,463 | $87,024 | 10.8% | $355,200 |
| Apple Valley | 55,679 | $97,673 | 6.0% | $370,400 |
| Inver Grove Heights | 35,906 | $101,316 | 4.9% | $363,400 |
| Rosemount | 27,562 | $129,625 | 3.0% | $424,100 |
| Farmington | 23,902 | $123,673 | 5.1% | $366,200 |
| Hastings | 22,117 | $93,998 | 5.4% | $322,400 |
| West St. Paul | 21,382 | $68,464 | 8.8% | $301,300 |
| Northfield | 20,742 | $84,895 | 8.8% | $329,400 |
Cities Similar to South St. Paul
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northfield | 20,742 | $84,895 | $329,400 | 53.3% | 8.8% |
| Forest Lake | 20,729 | $92,944 | $393,500 | 35.4% | 7.0% |
| Sartell | 19,758 | $84,131 | $297,300 | 40.9% | 7.4% |
| New Hope | 21,181 | $77,662 | $337,000 | 36.1% | 10.8% |
| New Brighton | 22,710 | $88,521 | $364,700 | 48.2% | 8.3% |
Population Overview
South St. Paul is a small city located in Minnesota, within Dakota County. The total population is 20,611. It ranks as the 60th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in South St. Paul is 37.2 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in South St. Paul is $87,994. This is 1% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 9% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.3%. This is 11% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 5.9%. This is 46% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $281,600. Housing costs are 14% lower than the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 69.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in South St. Paul is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 17.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (17.8% vs 6.4%). The Asian population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
32.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 18% 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 92.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for South St. Paul, 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 South St. Paul, Minnesota?
South St. Paul, Minnesota has a population of 20,611 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in South St. Paul, MN?
The median household income in South St. Paul is $87,994, which is 9% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in South St. Paul, MN?
The poverty rate in South St. Paul is 8.3%. This means approximately 1,702 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of South St. Paul, Minnesota?
South St. Paul's population is 70.7% White, 5.2% Black, 17.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in South St. Paul, MN?
The median home value in South St. Paul is $281,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is South St. Paul, Minnesota?
32.5% of adults (25+) in South St. Paul hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.