Houston County Demographics

A map of Houston County's Population by Race

Houston County, Minnesota has an estimated population of 18,653, a slight decrease from the 18,843 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 93.5% White, 3.6% Multiracial, 1.5% Hispanic, 0.9% Asian, 0.3% Black, and 0.3% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Houston County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Houston has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Minnesota overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Houston County, that probability was 10.3% in 2020 and 12.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Houston County is ranked the 51st most populous county in Minnesota, out of 87 counties. Houston County was ranked the 51st most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Houston County's White Population

17,432 residents of Houston County, or 93.5% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Houston County is significantly higher than in Minnesota overall, where 75.9% of the population is White. Houston County ranks 4th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 87 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Houston County's White population has declined by an estimated 2.3%. White residents' share of Houston County's population has decreased from 94.7% to 93.5%.

Houston County is more White than neighboring Allamakee County (86.5% White), Winona County (88.9% White), La Crosse County (87.4% White), and Winneshiek County (93.3% White). Houston County is less White than neighboring Fillmore County (94.3% White).

Houston County's Black Population

50 residents of Houston County, or 0.3% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Houston County is lower than in Minnesota overall, where 6.9% of the population is Black. Houston County ranks 58th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 87 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Houston County's Black population has declined by an estimated 44.4%. Black residents' share of Houston County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.3%.

Houston County is less Black than neighboring Allamakee County (1.8% Black), Winona County (1.9% Black), La Crosse County (1.5% Black), Winneshiek County (0.4% Black), and Fillmore County (0.5% Black).

Houston County's Asian Population

166 residents of Houston County, or 0.9% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Houston County is slightly lower than in Minnesota overall, where 5.1% of the population is Asian. Houston County ranks 47th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 87 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Houston County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 64.4%. Asian residents' share of Houston County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.9%.

Houston County is more Asian than neighboring Allamakee County (0.4% Asian), Winneshiek County (0.5% Asian), and Fillmore County (0.7% Asian). Houston County is less Asian than neighboring Winona County (2.2% Asian), and La Crosse County (4.5% Asian).

Houston County's Hispanic Population

289 residents of Houston County, or 1.5% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Houston County is slightly lower than in Minnesota overall, where 6.4% of the population is Hispanic. Houston County ranks 85th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 87 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Houston County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 18.9%. Hispanic residents' share of Houston County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.5%.

Houston County is less Hispanic than neighboring Allamakee County (9.1% Hispanic), Winona County (3.9% Hispanic), La Crosse County (2.7% Hispanic), Winneshiek County (3.1% Hispanic), and Fillmore County (2% Hispanic).

Houston County's Native American/Other Population

53 residents of Houston County, or 0.3% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Houston County is comparable to the share in Minnesota overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Houston County ranks 78th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 87 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Houston County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 31.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of Houston County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.3%.

Houston County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Allamakee County (0.1% Native American/Other). Houston County is less Native American/Other than neighboring La Crosse County (0.6% Native American/Other), Winneshiek County (0.5% Native American/Other), and Fillmore County (0.5% Native American/Other).

Houston County's Multiracial Population

663 residents of Houston County, or 3.6% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Houston County is comparable to the share in Minnesota overall, where 4.5% of the population is Multiracial. Houston County ranks 64th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 87 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Houston County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 34.8%. Multiracial residents' share of Houston County's population has increased from 2.6% to 3.6%.

Houston County is more Multiracial than neighboring Allamakee County (2% Multiracial), Winona County (2.8% Multiracial), La Crosse County (3.4% Multiracial), Winneshiek County (2.2% Multiracial), and Fillmore County (2% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.