County profile · Minnesota
Cottonwood County, MN market data
Population, household spending and competition for 56 business types in Cottonwood County, each scored against other counties.
- Population, 2025
- 11,405
- −1.0% since 2020
- Households
- 4,630
- Median household income
- $72,941
- +40.0% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Median home value
- $169,300
- Jobs located here
- 6,163
- Highest market score
- 77
- Doctors, dentists and clinics, #145 of 2,394 scored counties
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in Cottonwood County by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of Cottonwood County. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
An estimated 11,405 people live in Cottonwood County, in 4,630 households. Population estimates put the population change in Cottonwood County from 2020 to 2025 at −1.0%, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median household income in Cottonwood County is $72,941 a year, 10% below the U.S. median of $80,734. That rose 40.0% from the 2015–2019 survey, before inflation.
Set against the U.S., households in Cottonwood County spend the most on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 122, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on child care and other personal services (64).
The highest Groundwork market scores in Cottonwood County are for medical and dental practices (77), restaurants and cafes (71) and sit-down restaurants (66). Cottonwood County ranks #145 of 2,394 scored counties for medical and dental practices.
For its number of households, Cottonwood County has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for grocery and convenience stores (73% above the U.S. rate) and the fewest for medical and dental practices (62% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in Cottonwood County
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares Cottonwood County with other counties for that business type, from 0 to 100. Spending per listing divides a whole spending line (all vehicle repairs, all eating out) by one type’s listings: the demand for each competitor, not a business’s revenue. Compare it across markets with its index, where 100 is the U.S. figure for the same type; the real estate types, whose line is all housing costs, show the index only. How the score works.
| Business type | Score | Rank among counties | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Spending per listing vs. U.S. (100) | Official establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 77 | #145 of 2,394 | 15 | 32.4 | $419K | 275 | 3 |
| Restaurants and cafes | 71 | #365 of 2,405 | 32 | 69.1 | $535K | 144 | 10 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 66 | #481 of 2,405 | 17 | 36.7 | $1M | 152 | 6 |
| Salons, barbers and spas | 64 | #490 of 2,385 | 12 | 25.9 | $366K | 172 | Under 3 |
| Real estate | 52 | #958 of 2,229 | 6 | 13.0 | Index only | 242 | Under 3 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 47 | #1,198 of 2,176 | 6 | 13.0 | Index only | 192 | Under 3 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 47 | #1,234 of 2,210 | 8 | 17.3 | $1.1M | 124 | Under 3 |
| Fast food and sandwich shops | 47 | #1,258 of 2,222 | 6 | 13.0 | $2.9M | 94 | Under 3 |
| Hair salons | 47 | #1,324 of 2,339 | 10 | 21.6 | $439K | 102 | Under 3 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | 46 | #1,190 of 2,087 | 6 | 13.0 | $1.5M | 114 | Under 3 |
| Coffee shops and cafes | 39 | #1,429 of 2,063 | 5 | 10.8 | $3.4M | 92 | Under 3 |
| Convenience stores | 36 | #1,614 of 2,261 | 6 | 13.0 | $4.5M | 57 | Under 3 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 34 | #1,832 of 2,402 | 15 | 32.4 | $1.8M | 53 | 3 |
| Auto repair shops | 33 | #1,912 of 2,378 | 14 | 30.2 | $387K | 87 | 11 |
| Gas stations | 30 | #1,948 of 2,358 | 9 | 19.4 | $1.5M | 64 | 9 |
| Gyms | 29 | #1,517 of 1,792 | 5 | 10.8 | $764K | 59 | Under 3 |
| Auto repair and car care | 29 | #2,058 of 2,401 | 26 | 56.2 | $208K | 78 | 12 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 27 | #1,869 of 2,088 | 9 | 19.4 | $425K | 64 | Under 3 |
| Child care and preschools | 19 | #1,509 of 1,611 | 6 | 13.0 | $285K | 28 | 3 |
| Insurance agencies | 12 | #2,228 of 2,272 | 12 | 25.9 | $703K | 56 | 11 |
| Chiropractors | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 8.6 | $1.6M | 66 | Under 3 |
| Grocery stores | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 8.6 | $6.8M | 73 | 3 |
| Pet businesses | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 8.6 | $920K | 105 | Under 3 |
| Collision repair and body shops | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 6.5 | $1.8M | 59 | 3 |
| Home repair trades | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 6.5 | $4M | 165 | 9 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 6.5 | $1.3M | 63 | Under 3 |
| Pizza | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 6.5 | $5.7M | 112 | Under 3 |
| Car washes and detailing | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 4.3 | $2.7M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Electricians | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 4.3 | $6M | Too few | 6 |
| Funeral homes | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 4.3 | $438K | Too few | Under 3 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 4.3 | $3.1M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Dentists and orthodontists | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 2.2 | $6.3M | Too few | 3 |
| HVAC and plumbing | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 2.2 | $12M | Too few | 3 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 2.2 | $5.5M | Too few | 3 |
| Laundromats | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 2.2 | $8.7M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 2.2 | $5.5M | Too few | 3 |
| Nail salons | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 2.2 | $4.4M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Oil change and quick lube | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 2.2 | $5.4M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Optometrists and eye care | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 2.2 | $6.3M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Veterinarians | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 2.2 | $3.7M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 2.2 | $3.8M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Barbershops | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Dry cleaners | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Home inspectors | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| House cleaning | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Pest control | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Pet stores | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Physical therapy | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Property management | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Roofing and gutters | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Spas and skin care | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Tire shops | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
Household spending in Cottonwood County
What households here spend in a year on each line, in total and per household, with the index against the U.S. average (100).
| Spending line | A year, all households | Per household | Index vs. U.S. (100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle maintenance and repairs | $5.4M | $1,171 | 122 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $13.8M | $2,985 | 115 |
| Food away from home | $17.1M | $3,699 | 91 |
| Groceries | $27.2M | $5,870 | 93 |
| Personal care products and services | $4.4M | $948 | 94 |
| Child care and other personal services | $1.7M | $369 | 64 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $3.8M | $825 | 84 |
| Medical and dental services | $6.3M | $1,359 | 106 |
| Pets | $3.7M | $794 | 87 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $8.7M | $1,880 | 91 |
| Vehicle insurance | $8.4M | $1,822 | 93 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $12M | $2,601 | 86 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $5.5M | $1,182 | 84 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $62.8M | $13,559 | 81 |
Household spending is estimated from the incomes of the households in each neighborhood, using what households at each income spent nationally in 2024, adjusted for the region. It counts what residents spend, wherever they spend it.
Population and households in Cottonwood County
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 11,405−1.0% since 2020
- Households
- 4,630
- Median age
- 40.3
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 74%
- Vehicles per household
- 2.1
- Land area
- 640 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 18
- Median household income
- $72,941+40.0% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Average household income
- $89,108
- Median home value
- $169,300
- Jobs located here
- 6,163
- Daytime population
- 11,565Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in Cottonwood County?
These figures cover the whole county. A site report draws rings around one address and counts what’s inside them: households, spending, jobs, and the competitors on map listings by name and distance, for any of the 56 business types.
Or open the report at the center of Cottonwood County. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardRelated markets
Nearest counties in Minnesota 8
- Jackson County, MN9,933 people
- Watonwan County, MN11,205 people
- Murray County, MN8,097 people
- Nobles County, MN22,041 people
- Redwood County, MN15,350 people
- Brown County, MN25,800 people
- Martin County, MN19,780 people
- Lyon County, MN25,503 people
Questions
How fast is Cottonwood County, MN growing?
Population estimates put Cottonwood County at 11,405 people in 2025, down 1.0% since 2020, against +3.1% for the U.S. It has 4,630 households. Against the 2015–2019 survey, median household income rose 40.0%, before inflation.
How much do households in Cottonwood County, MN spend?
Households in Cottonwood County spend about $62.8M a year on rent and homeowner costs, $27.2M on groceries and $17.1M on food away from home. Relative to the U.S., household spending in Cottonwood County runs highest on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 122, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on child care and other personal services (64).
Which business types have the highest market scores in Cottonwood County, MN?
Of the business types scored in Cottonwood County, medical and dental practices (77), restaurants and cafes (71) and sit-down restaurants (66) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For medical and dental practices, that ranks #145 of 2,394 scored counties.
How does Cottonwood County, MN compare with the U.S.?
Median household income in Cottonwood County is $72,941, 10% below the U.S. median of $80,734. The population fell 1.0% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $169,300, against $332,700 for the U.S. Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for grocery and convenience stores (73% above the U.S. rate) and lowest for medical and dental practices (62% below the U.S. rate).
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. 20 of the 56 business types have a score in Cottonwood County, each ranked against other counties.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in Cottonwood County. It maps the competitors on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
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Screening a site or an acquisition in Cottonwood County?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
The button opens the report at the center of Cottonwood County. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.