St. James, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, St. James, Minnesota had a total population of 4,767, the 159th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $60,242, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
St. James Quick Facts
How St. James 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 | 4,740 | 4,767 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $57,031 | $60,242 | +5.6% |
| Median home value | $109,600 | $122,100 | +11.4% |
How St. James 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. James Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Watonwan County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madelia | 2,327 | $76,548 | 13.7% | $165,400 |
| Butterfield | 535 | $64,083 | 8.4% | $90,400 |
| Lewisville | 255 | $76,250 | 3.1% | $63,900 |
| Odin | 126 | $46,875 | 15.9% | $75,000 |
| Darfur | 74 | $65,500 | 5.4% | $71,700 |
| La Salle | 28 | $56,875 | 0.0% | $97,500 |
Cities Similar to St. James
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sauk Centre | 4,621 | $62,628 | $225,700 | 20.8% | 19.5% |
| Luverne | 4,925 | $64,366 | $208,000 | 29.2% | 12.2% |
| Redwood Falls | 5,068 | $61,750 | $162,100 | 24.3% | 17.2% |
| Newport | 4,754 | $71,979 | $378,100 | 27.4% | 9.4% |
| Chisholm | 4,712 | $50,891 | $109,200 | 16.6% | 14.0% |
Population Overview
St. James is a small community located in Minnesota, within Watonwan County. The total population is 4,767. It ranks as the 159th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in St. James is 37.6 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 38.8 years. With 28.3% of the population under 18, St. James has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in St. James is $60,242. This is 32% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.1%. This is 94% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 7.9%. This is 96% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $122,100. Housing costs are 63% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, St. James is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 66.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in St. James is White (non-Hispanic), making up 51.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 47.0%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (47.0% vs 6.4%).
Education
15.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 61% 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 82.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for St. James, 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. James, Minnesota?
St. James, Minnesota has a population of 4,767 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in St. James, MN?
The median household income in St. James is $60,242, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in St. James, MN?
The poverty rate in St. James is 18.1%. This means approximately 846 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of St. James, Minnesota?
St. James's population is 51.5% White, 0.1% Black, 47.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in St. James, MN?
The median home value in St. James is $122,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is St. James, Minnesota?
15.5% of adults (25+) in St. James hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.