Rochester, MN Demographics

A map of Rochester's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	86,372	87,180	70.6%	71.8%
Black	11,957	10,661	9.8%	8.8%
Asian	9,498	9,469	7.8%	7.8%
Hispanic	8,020	7,984	6.6%	6.6%
Multiracial	5,793	5,293	4.7%	4.4%
Native American/Other	690	808	0.6%	0.7%

Rochester, Minnesota has an estimated population of 122,330, a less than 1% change from the 121,395 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 70.6% White, 9.8% Black, 7.8% Asian, 6.6% Hispanic, 4.7% Multiracial, and 0.6% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Rochester, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Rochester has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more 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 Rochester, that probability was 46.4% in 2020 and 47.9% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Rochester is ranked the 3rd most populous place in Minnesota, out of 915 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Rochester was ranked the 3rd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Rochester's White Population

86,372 residents of Rochester, or 70.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Rochester is lower than in Minnesota overall, where 75.9% of the population is White. Rochester ranks 809th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 915 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rochester's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Rochester's population has decreased from 71.8% to 70.6%.

Rochester is less White than neighboring Marion (85.4% White), Stewartville (90.5% White), Oronoco (89.8% White), Byron (89% White), and High Forest (92.7% White).

Rochester's Black Population

11,957 residents of Rochester, or 9.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Rochester is slightly higher than in Minnesota overall, where 6.9% of the population is Black. Rochester ranks 40th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 915 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rochester's Black population has grown by an estimated 12.2%. Black residents' share of Rochester's population has increased from 8.8% to 9.8%.

Rochester is more Black than neighboring Marion (0% Black), Stewartville (0.2% Black), Oronoco (0.2% Black), Byron (1.5% Black), and High Forest (0% Black).

Rochester's Asian Population

9,498 residents of Rochester, or 7.8% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Rochester is slightly higher than in Minnesota overall, where 5.1% of the population is Asian. Rochester ranks 31st statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 915 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rochester's Asian population has remained roughly the same. Asian residents' share of Rochester's population has remained roughly unchanged at 7.8%.

Rochester is more Asian than neighboring Marion (4.1% Asian), Stewartville (0.2% Asian), Oronoco (2.7% Asian), Byron (2.8% Asian), and High Forest (0% Asian).

Rochester's Hispanic Population

8,020 residents of Rochester, or 6.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Rochester is comparable to the share in Minnesota overall, where 6.4% of the population is Hispanic. Rochester ranks 181st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 915 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rochester's Hispanic population has remained roughly the same. Hispanic residents' share of Rochester's population has remained roughly unchanged at 6.6%.

Rochester is more Hispanic than neighboring Marion (0% Hispanic), Stewartville (5.3% Hispanic), Oronoco (4.3% Hispanic), Byron (2.3% Hispanic), and High Forest (0% Hispanic).

Rochester's Native American/Other Population

690 residents of Rochester, or 0.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Rochester is comparable to the share in Minnesota overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Rochester ranks 445th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 915 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rochester's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 14.6%. Native American/Other residents' share of Rochester's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.6%.

Rochester is more Native American/Other than neighboring Marion (0% Native American/Other), Byron (0% Native American/Other), and High Forest (0% Native American/Other). Rochester is less Native American/Other than neighboring Stewartville (1.1% Native American/Other), and Oronoco (0.7% Native American/Other).

Rochester's Multiracial Population

5,793 residents of Rochester, or 4.7% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Rochester is comparable to the share in Minnesota overall, where 4.5% of the population is Multiracial. Rochester ranks 279th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 915 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rochester's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 9.4%. Multiracial residents' share of Rochester's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.7%.

Rochester is more Multiracial than neighboring Stewartville (2.7% Multiracial), Oronoco (2.3% Multiracial), and Byron (4.4% Multiracial). Rochester is less Multiracial than neighboring Marion (10.5% Multiracial), and High Forest (7.3% 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.