Demographic Profile for Dakota County, Nebraska

The population division of the Census Bureau estimates in 2005 a median age in Dakota County, Nebraska to be 33.1 years old. The median in Dakota is less than the median in Nebraska of 36.2. Since the year 2000, the area has seen an increase in this median, when at that time it was 31.5 years of age. With 29.8 percent of the population in the year 2005 being made up of individuals less than 18 years old, Dakota can be described as having a relatively high proportion of youths. The 18 to 64 years old population group has a medium-low presence of the population, with 59.4 percent of the population within the age category. People 65 years old and older make up 10.7 percent of the total population base. Compared to other counties throughout the nation, this represents a medium-low percent of the population base.

Dakota County, Nebraska had a population of 20,349 in 2005. The total population has increased, from the population in the year 2000 of 20,285. This growth denotes an increase of 0.3 percent. Dakota ranks 23 of 93 counties in terms of population growth in Nebraska and the county ranks 1,837 of 3,141 counties when analyzing total county population change across the nation.

Estimated since the year 2000, a very high amount of people have migrated to Dakota internationally. The migration from outside the US into Dakota totals 3.6 percent of the total international migration into the State of Nebraska. This level of international migration can be considered very high when comparing levels of immigration per population in 2005.

In terms of total land area, Dakota spans a total of 264 square miles. The county has a medium-low density of 77 persons per square mile. Other counties with similar densities in the US include: -- more densely populated -- Blue Earth, MN (77 per sq. mile ), Halifax, NC (77 per sq. mile ), Lincoln, ME (77 per sq. mile ), -- less densely populated -- Putnam, IN (77 per sq. mile ), Russell, AL (77 per sq. mile ), New Kent, VA (77 per sq. mile ).

Dakota County, Nebraska has a population that is comprised of 64 percent White, 0.8 percent African American, 3.2 percent Asian, and 29.2 percent Hispanic. The area can be described as having a high level of diversity in terms of race and ethnicity, with 33.2 percent minorities. This is greater than the State of Nebraska percent of 12.7. Since 2000, Dakota has increased the percent of minority makeup when 26.4 percent of the total population were minorities.

Datasource: Population Estimates Program, U.S. Bureau of the Census.