St. Cloud: Demographics & People
St. Cloud is home to 70,629 people, in 27,807 households. Population grew 1.0% from 69,926 (2022) to 70,629 (2024). Median age 30.6 years. (5.6y younger than Benton County; 8.4y younger than Minnesota). Children under 18 are 22% of the population. Population is 64% White (non-Hispanic) and 20% Black. The community is moderately diverse (Simpson index 0.45). 52% of households are family-led. County is losing 470 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 37% adult obesity, 14% smoke.
- 2.5 people per household.
- 48% non-family households (singles, roommates).
Population & Trend
Population grew 1.0% from 69,926 (2022) to 70,629 (2024) — about 1.7× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~71,344 (extrapolated at 0.5%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 72,308.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 41,379 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 1.0% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 69,926 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 70,629 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | growing |
| Population | 70,629 people |
| Population Estimate | 72,308 |
| Population Note | Census Place population covers Benton County, Sherburne County, Stearns County |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 30.6y is 8.3 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 22% — near the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 30.6 years (vs Minnesota 39.0y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 21.9% |
| Age Summary · Character | young professional |
| Population under 18 | 15,447 |
| Median age | 30.6 years (vs Minnesota 39.0y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 70,629 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.45 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as moderately diverse.
| White residents | 47,734 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 12,197 |
| Asian residents | 3,029 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 3,831 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 45.1% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | moderately diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 71.5% |
| Asian population | 4.1% |
| Black population | 19.7% |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 5.8% |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 64.5% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 1.1% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 14% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 45,934 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 14,369 |
| Share born in this state | 65.0% |
| Share born in another state | 35.0% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 20.3% |
| Foreign-born residents | 1.1% |
| Naturalized citizens | 13.5% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 8,497 |
| From Europe | 406 |
| From Africa | 1,703 |
| From Latin America | 138 |
Households & Family Composition
27,807 households. Averaging 2.4 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 52% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 14,336 families, 27% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 15,026 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 14,336 |
| Married couples with children | 3,862 |
| Single-parent households | 919 |
| Average household size | 2.35 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 10.7% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 489 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 276 |
| Family households | 14,309 households |
| Households that are families | 51.5% |
| Total households | 27,807 households |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 22.9% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is losing 470 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 22.9% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 41,656 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 42,126 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | -470 |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 4,481 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 6.7% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 4,911 residents live in group quarters (7.0% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 4,911 |
|---|
Other
| Census Counties | Benton County, Sherburne County, Stearns County |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · District | 6 |
| Congressional District · Formatted | MN-06 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 27,009 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 27 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 9 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Benton |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 9.6% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 7.40 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 12.20 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 27,009 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Benton County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Small metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 1,113 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 27,009 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Benton County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 49.6% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 45.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 69.8% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 40,889 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 10 |
| Family Score · Schools | 20 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 21.9% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 70,629, growing, young professional, middle-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 70,629 people |
| Town Summary · County | Benton County |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade