Dakota County is a county located in the U.S. State of Minnesota. As of 2000, the population is 355,904. Its county seat is Hastings6.

Table of contents
1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Cities and towns

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,519 km² (586 mi²). 1,475 km² (570 mi²) of it is land and 43 km² (17 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 2.86% water.

Surrounding Counties

(Listed in clockwise order)

On the west,

On the north On the east On the south

Demographics

\nAs of the
census2 of 2000, there are 355,904 people, 131,151 households, and 94,035 families residing in the county. The population density is 241/km² (625/mi²). There are 133,750 housing units at an average density of 91/km² (235/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 91.36% White, 2.27% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 2.89% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.29% from other races, and 1.75% from two or more races. 2.94% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race. There are 131,151 households out of which 40.00% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.20% are married couples living together, 9.10% have a female householder with no husband present, and 28.30% are non-families. 21.70% of all households are made up of individuals and 5.50% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.70 and the average family size is 3.19. In the county the population is spread out with 29.20% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 34.30% from 25 to 44, 21.20% from 45 to 64, and 7.40% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 97.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 94.70 males. The median income for a household in the county is $61,863, and the median income for a family is $71,062. Males have a median income of $46,827 versus $32,189 for females. The per capita income for the county is $27,008. 3.60% of the population and 2.40% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 3.90% are under the age of 18 and 5.50% are 65 or older.

Cities and towns

\n*
Apple Valley\n*Burnsville\n*Castle Rock Township\n*Coates\n*Douglas Township\n*Eagan\n*Empire Township\n*Eureka Township\n*Farmington\n*Greenvale Township\n*Hampton Township\n*Hampton\n*Hastings\n*Inver Grove Heights\n*Lakeville\n*Lilydale\n*Marshan Township\n*Mendota Heights\n*Mendota\n*Miesville\n*New Trier\n*Nininger Township\n*Northfield\n*Randolph Township\n*Randolph\n*Ravenna Township\n*Rosemount\n*Sciota Township\n*South St. Paul\n*Sunfish Lake\n*Vermillion Township\n*Vermillion\n*Waterford Township\n*West St. Paul