West St. Paul, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, West St. Paul, Minnesota had a total population of 21,382, the 55th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $68,464, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
West St. Paul Quick Facts
How West 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 | 21,076 | 21,382 | +1.5% |
| Median household income | $70,738 | $68,464 | -3.2% |
| Median home value | $281,800 | $301,300 | +6.9% |
How West 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+)
West 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 |
| Northfield | 20,742 | $84,895 | 8.8% | $329,400 |
| South St. Paul | 20,611 | $87,994 | 8.3% | $281,600 |
Cities Similar to West St. Paul
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willmar | 21,378 | $62,280 | $198,400 | 25.3% | 13.1% |
| Columbia Heights | 22,155 | $73,691 | $277,600 | 32.5% | 16.3% |
| New Hope | 21,181 | $77,662 | $337,000 | 36.1% | 10.8% |
| Northfield | 20,742 | $84,895 | $329,400 | 53.3% | 8.8% |
| South St. Paul | 20,611 | $87,994 | $281,600 | 32.5% | 8.3% |
Population Overview
West St. Paul is a small city located in Minnesota, within Dakota County. The total population is 21,382. It ranks as the 55th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in West St. Paul is 39.8 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in West St. Paul is $68,464. This is 23% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 15% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.8%. This is 5% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 4.5%. This is 11% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $301,300. Housing costs are 9% lower than the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 57.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in West St. Paul is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 20.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (20.7% vs 6.4%). The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
35.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 10% 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 92.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for West 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 West St. Paul, Minnesota?
West St. Paul, Minnesota has a population of 21,382 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in West St. Paul, MN?
The median household income in West St. Paul is $68,464, which is 15% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in West St. Paul, MN?
The poverty rate in West St. Paul is 8.8%. This means approximately 1,874 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of West St. Paul, Minnesota?
West St. Paul's population is 66.3% White, 5.8% Black, 20.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in West St. Paul, MN?
The median home value in West St. Paul is $301,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x.
How educated is West St. Paul, Minnesota?
35.5% of adults (25+) in West St. Paul hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.