St. Cloud, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, St. Cloud, Minnesota had a total population of 70,629, the 12th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $61,374, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
St. Cloud Quick Facts
How St. Cloud 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 | 69,926 | 70,629 | +1.0% |
| Median household income | $61,112 | $61,374 | +0.4% |
| Median home value | $212,800 | $225,000 | +5.7% |
How St. Cloud 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+)
St. Cloud Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Stearns County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Sauk Centre | 4,621 | $62,628 | 19.5% | $225,700 |
| 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 St. Cloud
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burnsville | 64,463 | $87,024 | $355,200 | 39.8% | 10.8% |
| Duluth | 87,093 | $68,807 | $242,700 | 44.0% | 16.8% |
| Coon Rapids | 63,468 | $88,251 | $305,800 | 25.7% | 8.2% |
| Blaine | 72,488 | $106,801 | $352,400 | 36.9% | 7.2% |
| Eagan | 68,000 | $108,690 | $397,100 | 54.7% | 5.9% |
Population Overview
St. Cloud is a mid-sized community located in Minnesota, within Stearns County. The total population is 70,629. It ranks as the 12th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in St. Cloud is 30.6 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in St. Cloud is $61,374. This is 31% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 24% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.2%. This is 117% 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 6.0%. This is 49% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $225,000. Housing costs are 32% lower than the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 48.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in St. Cloud is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 19.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (19.7% vs 7.0%).
Education
30.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 23% 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 91.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for St. Cloud, 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 St. Cloud, Minnesota?
St. Cloud, Minnesota has a population of 70,629 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in St. Cloud, MN?
The median household income in St. Cloud is $61,374, which is 24% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in St. Cloud, MN?
The poverty rate in St. Cloud is 20.2%. This means approximately 13,435 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of St. Cloud, Minnesota?
St. Cloud's population is 64.5% White, 19.7% Black, 5.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in St. Cloud, MN?
The median home value in St. Cloud is $225,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is St. Cloud, Minnesota?
30.4% of adults (25+) in St. Cloud hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.