Dakota County

As of the latest data, Dakota County, MN has a population of approximately 431,000 people. The racial composition includes 79.5% White, 8.5% Asian, 5.3% Black or African American, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, and 3.2% identifying as two or more races. The median household income is around $81,740, and roughly 5.5% of the population lives below the poverty line. The county also features a median age of 37.8 years.

As of the latest data, Dakota County, MN, has a median home value of approximately $310,000. The median household income is around $85,000. Homeownership rate stands at 75.9%, while 24.1% of housing units are rented. The average rental price for a two-bedroom apartment is around $1,300 per month. Additionally, the housing market has seen a year-over-year appreciation of about 6%. The vacancy rate is relatively low, indicating strong demand for housing.

Dakota County, MN participates in federal, state, and local elections. Key elected positions include the County Commissioners, County Attorney, and Sheriff. The county is divided into seven commissioner districts, each served by one commissioner. As of recent elections, major races included:

• County Commissioner District 2: Joe Atkins
• County Commissioner District 3: Laurie Halverson
• County Commissioner District 4: Mary Liz Holberg
• County Attorney: Kathy Keena
• Sheriff: Joe Leko

Dakota County also has numerous city council, school board, and judicial positions on the ballot. Voter turnout in recent general elections has been robust, often exceeding 70%. For specific, up-to-date election results, candidate lists, and voting information, visit the Dakota County Elections website.

Dakota County, MN, is relatively well-educated. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, approximately 94.5% of residents aged 25 and older have at least a high school diploma, higher than the national average of around 88%. Furthermore, about 41.8% hold a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of about 33.1%. In comparison to Minnesota as a whole, where approximately 93.0% have a high school diploma and 36.8% hold a bachelor's degree or higher, Dakota County shows a slightly higher educational attainment. This emphasizes Dakota County's commitment to education, placing it above both the state and national averages.

As of the latest data in 2023, Dakota County, MN has an employment rate of approximately 97.5%. The labor force consists of around 241,000 individuals. Major industries include healthcare and social assistance, which employ about 18% of the workforce, retail trade at 14%, and manufacturing at 12%.

Compared to national averages, healthcare in Dakota County employs slightly more, as the national average is around 16%. Retail trade is on par with the national average of 14%, while manufacturing exceeds the national average of approximately 8-9%. Minnesota as a whole has similar industry trends, though Dakota County specifically demonstrates a stronger presence in manufacturing compared to the state average of about 11%.

This data suggests that Dakota County has a diverse economic base with a particular strength in manufacturing relative to both state and national figures.

As of the latest available data, the median household income in Dakota County, MN, is approximately $84,000. This is higher than both the national median household income, which stands around $68,700, and the Minnesota state median household income, which is about $77,000.

Dakota County's above-average income levels reflect a relatively prosperous region within the state, benefiting from its proximity to the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area.

As of the most recent data, Dakota County, MN has a crime rate of approximately 2,235 incidents per 100,000 residents. This data reflects various types of crimes reported in the area.

Crime Statistics for Dakota County, MN:

These numbers give a snapshot of the crime landscape in Dakota County, MN, reflecting a higher prevalence of property crimes compared to violent crimes. Note that statistical values can vary slightly with new data updates.