The City of St. Cloud is strategically located in Central Minnesota and is the largest city in the St. Cloud Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). With a St. Cloud MSA population of approximately 189,000 residents, St. Cloud is the third largest MSA in the State of Minnesota.
This section provides an overview of key demographic factors within the city, such as population, age, income and race.
Demographic Summary - St. Cloud City
2010
2014
2019
Projected Change 2010 - 2019
Population
65,842
66,297
67,924
+3.2%
Households
25,439
26,066
26,701
+5.0%
Average Household Size
2.37
2.35
2.34
-1.3%
Median Household Income
-
$43,238
$51,222
+18.5%*
Source: ESRI Business Analyst, Houseal Lavigne Associates
*denotes change from 2014-2019 as 2010 data was unavailable
Demographic Summary - St. Cloud MSA
2010
2014
2019
Projected Change 2010 - 2019
Population
277,592
282,306
289,291
+4.2%
Households
101,523
104,491
107,648
+6.0%
Average Household Size
2.62
2.59
2.58
-1.5%
Median Household Income
-
$57,916
$66,800
+15.3*
Source: ESRI Business Analyst, Houseal Lavigne Associates *denotes change from 2014-2019 as 2010 data was unavailable
Population
St. Cloud's population is increasing. The city's current population is estimated at 67,344 people. Between 2000 and 2012, the City of St. Cloud population grew by 11.3% which made St. Cloud the fourth fastest growing large city in the State of Minnesota. Between 2010 and 2019. the city is projected to gain 2,000+ additional residents, a 3.2% increase.
The City of St. Cloud makes up, and is projected to remain, about 24% of the St. Cloud MSA's total population. Between 2000 and 2012, the St. Cloud MSA population grew by 20.7% and is estimated to expand an additional 25% from 2010-2030.
Source: Minnesota Compass - St. Cloud Geographic Profile - MN State Demographic Center, 2016)
Age
St. Cloud's population is very young. The city's current median age is estimated at 29.9 years, which is roughly 5 years younger than the regional median and roughly 8 years younger than the national median. At present, almost 70% of the city's population falls under the age of 44 and the age cohort with the largest share of population is 20-24 years. This is not necessarily surprising given St. Cloud's status as a "college town". Over the next 5 years, the City's median age is projected to age slightly to 30.7 years. Comparing St. Cloud's population distribution by age in 2010 with 2019 displays the slight aging of the community over this time period. Age cohorts gaining in share of the population are mostly on the older end of the spectrum (55-64 years, 65-74 years, 75-84 years, and 85+). Age cohorts losing in share of the population are mostly younger and middle-aged cohorts.
Incomes are rising. St. Cloud's current (2014) median household income is estimated at $44,485. By 2019, it is projected to rise by nearly $8,000 to $52,485. However, the city is currently, and is project to remain, less wealthy than the St. Cloud MSA. Comparing St. Cloud's estimated population distribution by income in 2014 with 2019 reflects the projected rise in incomes. Between 2014 and 2019, the percentage of St. Cloud households earning greater than $100,000 is expected to rise from 15% to 21%.
