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Owatonna, MN Micro Area

Owatonna, MN · Micro Area

37,439Population

A micropolitan statistical area of 1 county, part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income
$84,196
Median home value
$245,400
Land area
430 sq mi
87 people per sq mi

Market now

Counties in this micro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

CountyRolePopulationMedian incomeMedian home value
Steele County, MNCentral37,439$84,196$245,400

Largest cities and towns

17 places in our city pages lie in this area.

PlaceTypePopulationMedian income
Owatonna, MNCity26,498$80,750
Blooming Prairie, MNCity1,843$63,656
Medford, MNCity1,257$108,250
Medford (Township), MN—985$77,361
Ellendale, MNCity754$89,375
Owatonna (Township), MN—728$129,750
Somerset, MN—727$102,750
Lemond, MN—569$108,958
Meriden, MN—551$112,500
Berlin, MN—497$100,972
Deerfield, MN—485$97,222
Aurora, MN—484$86,667
Havana, MN—479$91,563
Summit, MN—458$106,875
Blooming Prairie (Township), MN—454$103,000
Merton, MN—349$92,292
Clinton Falls, MN—321$101,042

Also in the Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI combined area

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate
8.3%
Unemployment
3.4%
College Educated
28%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income
$84,196
Mean Household Income
$101,587

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male
50.1%
Female
49.9%

Population Split

Male50.1%
Female49.9%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

German31.6%
Irish8.6%
Mexican7.8%
English6.5%
Polish2.6%
Italian2.3%
French1.9%
African1.7%
Scottish1.0%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

4.3%Foreign Born
95.7%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized51.1%
Non-Citizen48.9%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later23.5%
Before 201076.5%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units
15,995
Median Rent
$1,061/mo
Median Home Value
$245,400
Median Year Built
1975

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled
9,074
College Enrollment
11.8%
High School
26.3%
College Educated
28.0%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time
19.1 min
Drive Alone Rate
80.2%
Public Transit
0.9%
Work From Home
8.7%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18
24.3%
18-34 Years
18.8%
35-64 Years
37.7%
65+ Years
19.2%

Population Composition

Under 1824.3%
18-3418.8%
35-6437.7%
65+19.2%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples
53.4%
Single Parent
4.9%
Living Alone
30.2%
Avg Size
2.44

Household Types

Married Couples53.4%
Single Parent4.9%
Living Alone30.2%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income
$41,674
SNAP Usage
7.7%
Health Insurance
96.5%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k11.3%
$25k - $50k18.8%
$50k - $100k28.2%
$100k+41.8%

Key Industries

Manufacturing
19.3%
Retail Trade
12.3%
Education & Health Care
21.0%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

11.7%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

96.5%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet
87.7%vs ~90% National Avg
Computer Ownership
93.3%vs ~95% National Avg
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better
85.8
0130
Below average< 97
Near average97 - 103
Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better
182.1
0200
Hard to Afford< 80
Moderate80 - 100
Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

The BEA publishes price levels for metro areas only, so for this micro area the cost-of-living figure is the state's average for areas outside metros.