St. Joseph: Demographics & People
Census counts 7,021 people in St. Joseph, in 2,302 households. Population shrank 0.0% from 7,024 (2022) to 7,021 (2024). Median age 27.3 years. (7.8y younger than Stearns County; 11.7y younger than Minnesota). Children under 18 are 18% of the population. Population is 77% White (non-Hispanic) and 8% Black. The community is somewhat diverse (Simpson index 0.30). 55% of households are family-led. County is losing 1,507 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 38% adult obesity, 15% smoke.
- 3.0 people per household.
- 45% non-family households (singles, roommates).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 0.0% from 7,024 (2022) to 7,021 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~7,018 (extrapolated at -0.0%/yr trend).
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 158,292 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -0.0% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 7,024 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 7,021 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | stable |
| Population | 7,021 people |
| Population Estimate | 7,014 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 27.3y is 11.6 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 18% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 27.3 years (vs Minnesota 39.0y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 17.5% |
| Age Summary · Character | young community |
| Population under 18 | 1,230 |
| Median age | 27.3 years (vs Minnesota 39.0y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 7,021 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.30 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as somewhat diverse.
| White residents | 5,534 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 735 |
| Asian residents | 100 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 312 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 29.9% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | somewhat diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 82.8% |
| Asian population | 1.8% |
| Black population | 8.4% |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 4.9% |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 76.9% |
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). 0.8% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 12% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 4,961 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 1,125 |
| Share born in this state | 70.7% |
| Share born in another state | 29.3% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 16.0% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.8% |
| Naturalized citizens | 12.5% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 420 |
| From Africa | 65 |
Households & Family Composition
2,302 households. Averaging 2.5 people each — matches the U.S. average of 2.5. 55% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 1,218 families, 33% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 1,212 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 1,218 |
| Married couples with children | 402 |
| Single-parent households | 102 |
| Average household size | 2.51 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 14.3% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 746 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 328 |
| Family households | 1,271 households |
| Households that are families | 55.2% |
| Total households | 2,302 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. 30.1% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is losing 1,507 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 30.1% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 154,040 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 155,547 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | -1,507 |
| 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 | 192 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 2.7% |
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. 1,433 residents live in group quarters (20.4% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 1,433 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 6 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Formatted | MN-06 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 27,145 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 27 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 145 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Stearns |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 8.1% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 7.00 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 9.20 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 27,145 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Stearns County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Small metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 6,490 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 27,145 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Stearns County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 66.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 61.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 56.8% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 161,075 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 10 |
| Family Score · Schools | 20 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 17.5% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 7,021, stable, young community, middle-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 7,021 people |
| Town Summary · County | Stearns County |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade