Population

The Metropolitan Council's most recent estimate in May of 2023 showed a total population of 41,027.

Previous estimates according to the U.S. Census American Community Survey of 2016-2020 put Cottage Grove's population at 39,926.

The City of Cottage Grove has seen rapid growth since 1970 and forecasts for our community show continued growth well into the future. The population figures in the graphic to the right come from the U.S. Census' American Community Surveys. The projected growth totals are from the regional planning body of Minnesota, Metropolitan Council, which is in charge of planning for the Twin Cities metropolitan region.

Population Time Series

Age

The City of Cottage Grove is a young growing community that many people call home to raise their families. The median age of the community is 36.5 compared to the state at 38.1. With a higher percentage of Gen X than the State of Minnesota, many continue to move to Cottage Grove to live and work. The figure shows the per capita population of age groups in the City of Cottage Grove compared to Minnesota.

CG Pop. by Age

Race / Ethnicity

The State of Minnesota continues to become a more diverse population and the City of Cottage Grove is part of that trend. The data is a per capita percentage of the racial and ethnic composition of the City of Cottage Grove.

CG pop. by Race

Source: U.S. Census 2016 to 2020 American Community Survey (ACS)