Independence, MN

City in Hennepin County, MN, US

By Neilsberg Research

Last updated May 1, 2026

Key Indicators

A quick look at key numbers

Population

3,694

Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates

Median Age

44.7

years ∙ half population younger than 44.7, half older

Diversity Index

15.5%

chance two random people differ in race and ethnicity

Nativity

2.7%

foreign-born population

97.3%Native

2.7% Foreign-born

Geographic Context

Location, size, and surroundings

About

Independence is a city within Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States.

Location

City in Hennepin County, MN, US

Co-ordinates

DEC45.018594° N, 93.719750° W

DMS45° 01′ 06.94″ N, 93° 43′ 11.10″ W

Population Density & area

114/sq mi (43.98/km²)

Total Area

34.5 sq mi (89.6 km²)

Land Area

32.4 sq mi (84 km²) · 93.8%

Water Area

2.1 sq mi (5.6 km²) · 6.2%

Demographics & Living

Who lives here, how households are formed, and community composition

Population Composition

Key characteristics of the population

Sex Distribution

52.5% male

Male 52.5%

Female 47.5%

males per 100 females

Independence 110.4

Hennepin County 98.8

Minnesota 100.4

Nativity

2.7%

foreign-born population

97.3%Native

2.7% Foreign-born

% Foreign-born

Independence 2.7%

Hennepin County 13.6%

Minnesota 8.7%

Age Distribution

How the population is spread across age groups

Median Age

44.7

years ∙ half population younger than 44.7, half older

Independence

44.7

Hennepin County

37.6

Minnesota

38.8

Dependency ratio

105.6

dependents per 100 working-age adults

Independence 105.6

Hennepin County 59.2

Minnesota 67.1

AGE DISTRIBUTION

Distribution of age group

Median age

	Independence	Hennepin County	Minnesota
Age Group
Children (Under 18)	31.4%	21.6%	22.9%
Working age (18-64)	48.6%	62.8%	59.8%
Senior (65+)	20%	15.6%	17.3%
Dependency ratio
Total dependency ratio	105.6	59.2	67.1
Child dependency ratio	64.5	34.4	38.2
Old-age dependency ratio	41.1	24.8	28.9

Racial & Ethnic Composition

Racial and ethnic makeup and how it compares

Race & Ethnicity

White

91.8%

Black

Asian

Hispanic

2.1%

Other

4.1%

Note: White, Black, and Asian refer to individuals belonging to a single race and not of Hispanic origin. Hispanics may be of any race.

Diversity Index

15.5%

chance two random people differ in race and ethnicity

Independence 15.5%

Hennepin County 54.3%

Minnesota 41%

Note: The Diversity Index (DI), based on the Blau Index, measures the probability that two randomly selected individuals differ in race and ethnicity. Values range from 0 (no diversity) to 1 (high diversity) and are shown as percentages.

RACIAL & ETHNIC COMPOSITION

Race & Ethnicity

Percentage of Independence population

Racial and ethnic composition — Independence vs Hennepin County vs Minnesota. Source: ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates.
	Independence	Hennepin County	Minnesota
Hispanic or Latino	2.1%	7.8%	6.4%
Mexican	2.1%	4.4%	3.9%
Puerto Rican	0%	0.4%	0.3%
Cuban	0%	0.2%	0.1%
Other Hispanic / Latino	0%	2.8%	2%
Not Hispanic or Latino	97.9%	92.2%	93.6%
One race	93.8%	86.7%	89.1%
White	91.8%	65.2%	75.9%
Black or African American	1%	13.3%	6.9%
American Indian and Alaska Native	0%	0.4%	0.7%
Asian	1%	7%	5.1%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander	0%	0%	0%
Some Other Race	0%	0.8%	0.5%
Two or more races (Multiracial)	4.1%	5.5%	4.5%

Household & Families Composition

Household size, type, and family structure

Household structure

85% family

Family 85%

Non family 15%

% family households

Independence 85%

Hennepin County 55.2%

Minnesota 62.3%

Average household size

2.77

persons per household

Independence

2.77

Hennepin County

2.3

Minnesota

2.43

Household & Family COMPOSITION

Households

Percentage of Independence population

	Independence	Hennepin County	Minnesota
Total households	1,321	539,493	2,307,955
Average houshold size	2.77	2.3	2.43
Family households	1,123	297,949	1,438,404
Average family size	3.06	3.03	3.04
Married couple family	1,086	230,681	1,129,003
Other families	37	67,268	309,401
Male householder	0	21,199	102,922
Female householder	37	46,069	206,479
Non-family households	198	241,544	869,551
One-person households	167	186,397	686,475
Male householder	72	85,157	320,418
Senior (65+) living alone	43	21,166	97,557
Female householder	95	101,240	366,057
Senior (65+) living alone	62	43,295	186,557
Other living arrangements	31	55,147	183,076

Housing Profile

Housing stock, ownership, rentals, and cost burdens

Total housing units

1,408

housing units

Independence 1,408

Hennepin County 571,527

Minnesota 2,545,030

Occupancy status

93.8% occupied

Occupied 93.8%

Vacant 6.2%

vacancy rate

Independence 6.2%

Hennepin County 5.6%

Minnesota 9.3%

Housing Characteristics

How the housing supply is structured and used

Types of Housing unit

95.8%

Single family houses

95.8%

Apartments in multi-unit structures

4.3%

Mobile homes

Boat, RV, van, etc

Median Year Built

1988

Half of houses were built before 1988, and half after.

Historic ∙ 1939 or earlier

9.3%

Postwar & mid-century ∙ 1940 - 1969

17.9%

Late 20th century ∙ 1970 - 1999

38.8%

Modern ∙ 2000 or later

34%

Note: Median year built reflects occupied units only; distribution includes all units.

Housing Characteristics

Units, rooms & bedrooms

Physical characteristics of housing units

	Independence	Hennepin County	Minnesota
Rooms per unit
Median rooms	8.4	5.7	6.1
1–3 rooms	2.5%	22.3%	14.9%
4–6 rooms	24.4%	38%	41.4%
7+ rooms	73%	39.7%	43.7%
Bedrooms
No bedroom / studio	0%	4.9%	2.7%
1 bedroom	2.6%	17.8%	11.4%
2 bedrooms	7.2%	25.1%	24.5%
3 bedrooms	30%	26%	32.2%
4+ bedrooms	60.2%	26.2%	29.1%
At a glance
Median year built	1988	1973	1979
Total housing units	1,408	571,527	2,545,030

Occupancy Profile

Who is inside and how they use it

Homeownership

92.1% owners

Renter-occupied 7.9%

Owner-occupied 92.1%

homeownership rate

Independence 92.1%

Hennepin County 62.7%

Minnesota 72.2%

Average household size

2.9

Owner-occupied

1.23

Renter-occupied

owner-occupied average size

Independence 2.9

Hennepin County 2.5

Minnesota 2.59

Housing Characteristics

Occupied unit characteristics

Tenure, crowding, and utilities

	Independence	Hennepin County	Minnesota
Total occupied units	1,321	539,493	2,307,955
Year moved in
2020 or later	16.5%	28.4%	23.8%
2010 to 2019	29.7%	39.8%	38.9%
2000 to 2009	16%	13.4%	16.1%
1999 or earlier	37.8%	18.5%	21.2%
Occupants per room
1.00 or fewer	100%	97.3%	97.7%
1.01 to 1.50	0%	1.6%	1.5%
1.51 or more	0%	1.1%	0.8%
Vehicles availability
No vehicles	5.6%	9.3%	6.7%
1 vehicle	12.6%	37.7%	30.8%
2 vehicles	50.8%	38.1%	39.5%
3 or more vehicles	31%	14.9%	23.1%
House heating fuel used
Gas	77.8%	76.7%	75.9%
Electricity	18.2%	20.8%	19.4%
Solar	0%	0.1%	0.1%
Fuel oil, kerosene etc	0.9%	0.2%	1.3%
All other fuels	1.9%	1.2%	2.5%
No fuel used	1.2%	0.9%	0.9%
Selected characteristics
Lacking complete plumbing	1.2%	0.3%	0.4%
Lacking complete kitchen	1.2%	0.5%	0.7%
No telephone service available	1.2%	0.6%	0.7%

Housing Value

What owner-occupied units are worth

Median home value

$663,400

owner-occupied units

Median value(USD)

Independence

$663,400

Hennepin County

$392,900

Minnesota

$329,300

Housing Cost Burden

18.8%

of homeowners with a mortgage are cost-burdened

% Cost-Burdened Households

Owners with a mortgage

18.8%

Owners without a mortgage

7.5%

Renters

76.9%

Note: Households spending 30% or more of their income on housing costs are considered cost-burdened.

Financial characteristics

Property value and housing costs

Tenure, crowding, and utilities

	Independence	Hennepin County	Minnesota
Property value
Median Value	$663,400	$392,900	$329,300
Under $100,000	1.1%	2.6%	7.7%
$100,000 - $200,000	0%	5.8%	13.3%
$200,000 - $300,000	1.2%	17.9%	22.6%
$300,000 - $500,000	32.1%	43.2%	36.9%
$500,000 - $1,000,000	48.5%	24.8%	17%
$1,000,000 and more	17.1%	5.6%	2.6%
Owner-occupied households
With a mortgage	70.3%	69%	64%
Without a mortgage	29.7%	31%	36%
Median monthly owner costs
With a mortgage	$3,134	$2,255	$1,947
Without a mortgage	$1,070	$853	$698
Gross rent
Median rent	$3,469	$1,487	$1,280

Education Profile

How educated is the community and how education pays off

Adults with a college degree

66.7%

of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher

Independence 66.7%

Hennepin County 54.1%

Minnesota 39.4%

Adults without a high school diploma

2.1%

of adults (25+) without a high school diploma

Independence 2.1%

Hennepin County 5.9%

Minnesota 6.1%

School Enrollment

Who is enrolled in school and at what level

School enrollment

850

population (age 3+) enrolled in school

Nursery / Preschool

13.6%

K–12

84.6%

College / Undergraduate

Graduate / Professional

1.8%

College-going rate (18-24 yr olds)

—%

of 18-24-year-olds in college or graduate school

* The Census Bureau did not publish college going rate for Independence due to an insufficient sample size to produce reliable estimates.

Independence

—%

Hennepin County

45.3%

Minnesota

39.1%

Enrollment & school type

Enrollment levels, college-going rate, and public vs private school split

Population 3+ currently enrolled in a school

	Independence	Hennepin County	Minnesota
Total enrolled (age 3+)	850	306,401	1,385,086
Nursery / preschool	13.6%	6.7%	6.2%
K–12	84.6%	64.6%	69.9%
Kindergarten	17.4%	4.8%	5.2%
Elementary: Grades 1–4	34.4%	19.6%	20.6%
Elementary: Grades 5–8	17.4%	20.1%	21.7%
High School: Grades 9–12	15.4%	20.2%	22.4%
College or graduate school	1.8%	28.6%	23.9%
College, undergraduate	0%	20.7%	18.8%
Graduate, professional school	1.8%	8%	5.1%
College-going rate · 18-24 yr olds	—%	45.3%	39.1%
School type
Public school	67.8%	81.9%	83.3%
Private school	32.2%	18.1%	16.7%

Education Attainment by Level & Gender

What is the highest level of education completed among adults

Education attainment

2,535

population 25 years and over

Total adults (25+)

Less than 9th grade

0.6%

9th-12th, no diploma

1.5%

HS graduate

15.5%

Some college no degree

11.5%

Associates degree

4.2%

Bachelors degree

38.1%

Graduate or professional degree

28.5%

Attainment by gender

Male vs Female

Adults (25+) · Share within each education level

% male · % female

Less than 9th grade

0% · 100%

9th-12th, no diploma

15.4% · 84.6%

HS graduate

64.8% · 35.2%

Some college no degree

29.6% · 70.4%

Associates degree

59.8% · 40.2%

Bachelors degree

44.8% · 55.2%

Graduate or professional degree

58.9% · 41.1%

Educational Attainment Overview

Distribution and key education attainment rates for adults (25+)

Highest credential completed · adults 25+

	Independence	Hennepin County	Minnesota
Population (25+)	2,535	888,421	3,923,744
Less than 9th grade	0.6%	3.2%	2.7%
9th–12th, no diploma	1.5%	2.7%	3.4%
High school diploma or GED	15.5%	15%	23.3%
Some college, no degree	11.5%	16.4%	19.5%
Associate's degree	4.2%	8.6%	11.8%
Bachelor's degree or higher	66.7%	54.1%	39.4%
Bachelor's degree	38.1%	33.8%	25.6%
Graduate or professional	28.5%	20.3%	13.8%
High School or higher	97.8%	94.1%	93.9%

Earnings by education level

percentage as applicable

Median Earnings

$99,716

Median earnings for adults 25+, by level

Less than HS graduate

$—

HS graduate

$61,389

Some college or associates

$46,714

Bachelors degree

$117,817

Graduate or professional degree

$99,867

Poverty Rate

0.4%

for ages 25+, with bachelors degree or higher

Less than HS graduate

12.7%

HS graduate

1.8%

Some college or associates

4.8%

Bachelors degree or higher

0.4%

Outcomes by Education Level

Earnings and poverty rates across education levels (25+)

Adults 25+

	Independence	Hennepin County	Minnesota
Median earnings
Population 25+, with earnings	$99,716	$65,297	$58,615
Less than high school graduate	$—	$34,065	$36,257
High school graduate (includes equivalency)	$61,389	$41,819	$42,951
Some college or associate's degree	$46,714	$51,738	$51,845
Bachelor's degree	$117,817	$78,472	$73,301
Graduate or professional degree	$99,867	$95,959	$89,644
Poverty rates
Less than high school graduate	12.7%	28.5%	23.7%
High school graduate (includes equivalency)	1.8%	14.7%	12.3%
Some college or associate's degree	4.8%	9.9%	7.8%
Bachelor's degree or higher	0.4%	3.5%	3.2%

Insights for Independence, by topic

Income By year By race By age By gender

Population By year By race By age By gender

About Neilsberg Research

Neilsberg Research team are data scientists with expertise in processing, analysis and visualization of big data helping small businesses make right decisions.

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