St. James: Demographics & People
About 4,767 people live in St. James, in 1,810 households. Population grew 0.6% from 4,740 (2022) to 4,767 (2024). Median age 37.6 years. (3.2y younger than Watonwan County; 1.4y younger than Minnesota). Children under 18 are 28% of the population. Population is 52% White (non-Hispanic) and 47% Hispanic or Latino. The community is moderately diverse (Simpson index 0.47). 63% of households are family-led. County is losing 743 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 39% adult obesity, 17% smoke.
- 2.6 people per household.
- 37% non-family households (singles, roommates).
Population & Trend
Population grew 0.6% from 4,740 (2022) to 4,767 (2024) — close to the U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~4,794 (extrapolated at 0.3%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 4,830.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 11,253 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 0.6% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 4,740 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 4,767 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | stable |
| Population | 4,767 people |
| Population Estimate | 4,830 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 37.6y is 1.3 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 28% — above the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 37.6 years (vs Minnesota 39.0y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 28.3% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Population under 18 | 1,351 |
| Median age | 37.6 years (vs Minnesota 39.0y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 4,767 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.47 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as moderately diverse.
| White residents | 3,489 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 1 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 2,119 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 47.0% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | moderately diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 3 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 62.2% |
| Black population | 0.1% |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 47.0% |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 51.5% |
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). 0.5% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 20% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 2,971 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 803 |
| Share born in this state | 62.3% |
| Share born in another state | 37.7% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 16.8% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.5% |
| Naturalized citizens | 20.4% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 953 |
Households & Family Composition
1,810 households. Averaging 2.5 people each — matches the U.S. average of 2.5. 63% are family households — near the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 1,196 families, 33% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 1,392 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 1,196 |
| Married couples with children | 399 |
| Single-parent households | 59 |
| Average household size | 2.54 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 10.7% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 70 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 30 |
| Family households | 1,143 households |
| Households that are families | 63.1% |
| Total households | 1,810 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. 4.3% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is losing 743 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 4.3% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 9,485 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 10,228 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | -743 |
| 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 | 270 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 5.8% |
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. 79 residents live in group quarters (1.7% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 79 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 1 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Formatted | MN-01 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 27,165 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 27 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 165 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Watonwan |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 32.5% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 24.90 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 41.50 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 27,165 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Watonwan County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Noncore |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 361 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 27,165 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Watonwan County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 63.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 60.2% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 59.3% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 10,897 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 3.00 |
| Family Score · Schools | 4 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 28.3% |
| Family Score · Rating | limited |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 4,767, stable, family-oriented, middle-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 4,767 people |
| Town Summary · County | Watonwan County |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade