Dakota County, Minnesota
Dakota County: county in Minnesota, United States
About
Dakota County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2010 census, the population was 398,552 and a population density of 262 people per km². After 10 years in 2020 county had an estimated population of 431,807 inhabitants. Its county seat is Hastings. The county was created 176 years ago in 1849.
County Snapshot
Dakota County at a glance
Dakota County currently has 26 quality-checked populated place pages linked on MapSof, making it easier to jump from the county overview into local city pages.
Mapped populated places
26
These counts use a stricter populated-place filter so the main lists stay focused on real city and town pages.
Minnesota counties
87
Open related pagesLargest city
LakevillePopulation 69,583
Top linked places
Quick Facts about Dakota County
| Population | 431,807 (2020) |
| Country | United States of America |
| State | Minnesota (United States) |
| Different from | Dakota County |
| Twitter username | dakotacountymn |
| Area | 1519 km2 |
| Water as percent of area | 4.2% |
| Land as percent of area | 95.8% |
| Latitude & Longitude | 44.6719,-93.0654 |
| Named for | Sioux |
| Altitude | 863 feet / 263 meters |
| Capital | Hastings |
| Establishment | October 27, 1849 |
| Time Zone | America/Chicago |
| Local time | 13:06:02 (18th April 2026) |
| Density | 284 Pop. per km² as of 2020 |
| Population growth | 7.7% (2010-2020) |
| Weather | 45℉ Mostly Sunny 7-days weather |
Geography
Dakota County is located at 44°40'19"N 93°3'56"W (44.6718900, -93.0654400). It has 7 neighbors: Goodhue County, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Rice County, Scott County, Washington County and Pierce County.
Dakota County map
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The largest city of Dakota County is Lakeville with a population of 69,583. Other cities include, Eagan population 65,975, Burnsville population 62,170, Apple Valley population 54,847 and Inver Grove Heights population 35,776. See all Dakota County cities & populated places.
Dakota County Populated Places (more)
Cities, towns, neighborhoods & other populated places in Dakota County.
| City Name | Population | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Lakeville | 69,583 | The most populous city in Dakota County, Minnesota. |
| Eagan | 65,975 | The most populous city in Dakota County, Minnesota. |
| Burnsville | 62,170 | The most populous city in Dakota County, Minnesota. |
| Apple Valley | 54,847 | A city in Dakota County, Minnesota. |
| Inver Grove Heights | 35,776 | City in Dakota County, Minnesota, United States |
| Rosemount | 25,798 | City in Dakota County, Minnesota, United States |
| South Saint Paul | 19,916 | City in Minnesota, United States |
| West Saint Paul | 19,813 | City in Dakota County, Minnesota, United States |
| Mendota Heights | 11,433 | City in Dakota County, Minnesota, United States of America |
| Empire | 3,071 | Township in Dakota County, Minnesota |
| Castle Rock | 1,356 | Unincorporated community in Minnesota, United States |
| Vermillion | 1,235 | Township in Dakota County, Minnesota |
| Nininger | 922 | Township in Dakota County, Minnesota |
| Hampton | 920 | City in Dakota County, Minnesota, United States |
| Lilydale | 838 | City in Minnesota, United States |
| Randolph | 753 | City in Minnesota, United States |
Weather
Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. West northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
7-Day ForecastDemographics
The population of Dakota County increased by 7.7% in 10 years.
| Year | Population | % Change | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 398,552 | - | census |
| 2011 | 401,771 | 0.8% | estimation process |
| 2012 | 404,613 | 0.7% | estimation process |
| 2013 | 407,895 | 0.8% | estimation process |
| 2014 | 411,725 | 0.93% | estimation process |
| 2015 | 414,131 | 0.58% | estimation process |
| 2016 | 417,555 | 0.82% | estimation process |
| 2017 | 421,518 | 0.94% | estimation process |
| 2018 | 425,040 | 0.83% | estimation process |
| 2019 | 429,021 | 0.93% | estimation process |
| 2020 | 431,807 | 0.65% | estimation process |
People born in Dakota County (3)
People born in Dakota County, including ice hockey player Warren Miller, civil rights and labor activist Nellie Stone Johnson, politician Matt Little, .
More notable people
Other places with the same name (1)
- Dakota County, Nebraska county in Nebraska, United States with a population of 20,070 people.
Minnesota Other Counties (more counties)
| County Name | Population | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Hennepin County | 1,268,408 | County in Minnesota, United States |
| Ramsey County | 547,903 | County in Minnesota, United States |
| Minneapolis | 433,111 | The largest city in Minnesota, Minneapolis is a major center for business, finance, and culture. |
| Anoka County | 359,921 | County in Minnesota, United States |
| Saint Paul | 306,717 | The second most populous city in Minnesota and the center of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area. |
| Washington County | 265,476 | County in Minnesota, United States |
| Saint Louis County | 198,538 | County in Minnesota, United States |
| Stearns County | 162,038 | County in Minnesota, United States |
| Olmsted County | 159,298 | County in Minnesota, United States |
| Scott County | 150,689 | County in Minnesota, United States |
| Wright County | 140,249 | County in Minnesota, United States |
| Carver County | 106,565 | County in Minnesota, United States |
| Sherburne County | 98,811 | County in Minnesota, United States |
| Bloomington | 84,583 | The most populous city in Hennepin County, Minnesota. |
| Plymouth | 79,635 | The second most populous city in Hennepin County, Minnesota. |
| Brooklyn Park | 79,574 | The third most populous city in Hennepin County, Minnesota. |