Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Rochester, MN Population, Income & Demographics 2026

CSARochester-Austin-Winona MSARochester#1/36 Population

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

122,330

Median Agei

36.3

Race & Ethnicityi

White

70.6%86,372

Black

9.8%11,957

Asian

7.8%9,498

Hispanic/Latino

6.6%8,020

Two or More

4.7%5,793

Other

0.4%537

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.1%153

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

2.3%1,893

High School Diploma

15.6%12,945

Some College (<1 yr)

5.7%4,741

Some College (1+ yr)

9.6%7,953

Associate's Degree

10.7%8,913

Bachelor's Degree

28.6%23,773

Master's Degree

12.9%10,766

Professional Degree

5.2%4,323

Doctorate

4.2%3,499

HS or Higher

94.7%

BA or Higher

50.9%

Graduate+

22.3%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$310,500

Median Renti

$1,399

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

65.1%33,270

Renter-Occupied

34.9%17,861

Total Units

54,492

Homeownership

65.1%

Vacancy Rate

6.2%

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$89,389

Mean Household Incomei

$124,737

Per Capita Incomei

$52,671

Poverty Ratei

8.4%

Unemploymenti

3.7%

Labor Forcei

68,196

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

1,987

Residentsi

3,861

Avg. Tenant Renti

$471/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

13 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing90 homes97% occupied$476/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers624 homes79% occupied$584/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 81,002 homes94% occupied$410/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

202/PRAC186 homes95% occupied$438/mo rent

811/PRAC26 homes90% occupied$353/mo rent

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $89,389/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $27K/yr

83.2%

Very low income$27K–$45K/yr

14.7%

Low income$45K–$72K/yr

Moderate / aboveOver $72K/yr

0.1%

Who Receives This Housing

70.8% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

50.3% of subsidized households are minority

28.8% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

44.2% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Social Characteristicsi

Veteransi

5,161(5.5% of civilian adults)