RANK #624 / 996 · POP 439,179 · MN
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.3%
Dakota County, Minnesota, stands out for its extensive park system, with Lebanon Hills Regional Park being a major highlight, offering nearly 2,000 acres of trails and lakes for year-round outdoor activities. Located in the southeastern Twin Cities metropolitan area, the county is bordered by the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers, providing scenic natural landscapes. Commuting to Minneapolis and St. Paul is facilitated by major interstates and transit options, including bus rapid transit lines. The community offers a blend of urban, suburban, and rural environments.
Life in Dakota County is characterized by a high quality of life, with residents consistently rating it favorably. The area attracts families and professionals, many of whom commute to nearby cities. Public schools in Dakota County are highly rated, with several high schools recognized among the best in Minnesota. The local economy is seeing investment in sectors such as data centers and energy, contributing to job opportunities within the county. The county also focuses on providing quality workforce housing and enhancing transportation networks.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Harsh climate or flat terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.1x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Farmington Technology Park (Hyperscale Data Center Campus)
Tract Development
|
$5,000M | Proposed |
|
Oppidan MN Technology Park (5 Data Centers)
Oppidan
|
$1,000M | Proposed |
|
Meta Data Center
Meta
|
$800M | Under Construction |
|
HAMPTON 345 KV Battery Energy Storage System
Undisclosed
|
$300M | Planned |
|
Castle Rock Solar Project
Castle Rock Solar, LLC (Midcontinental Renewables, LLC)
|
$150M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Dakota County has a Boom Town Index score of 37/100, ranking #624 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.7% and a median household income of $101,360, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Dakota County is $341,200 with median rent at $1,410/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2971, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.8% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.7%. Home values changed +1.3% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.68% of Dakota County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.