Minnesota

Houston

18,843
2020 population
1860
first census record
17
census records

About Houston

Houston, Minnesota, first appears in the United States federal census in 1860, when it recorded a population of 6,645. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 18,843.

Its recorded population peaked at 19,718 in 2000, and has since declined by roughly 4 percent.

On the ground today, 2 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Bad Ax Massacre (Black Hawk War) — Aftermath Site, Wisconsin — Battle of Bad Ax — Black Hawk War, and 16 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
202018,843
201019,027
200019,718
199018,497
198018,382
197017,556
196016,588
195014,435
194014,735
193013,845
192014,013
191014,297
190015,400
189014,653
188016,332
187014,936
18606,645
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Houston

Military engagements that took place in Houston, Minnesota.

Bad Ax Massacre (Black Hawk War) — Aftermath Site
1832
Wisconsin — Battle of Bad Ax — Black Hawk War
1832

Historic places in Houston

National Register of Historic Places listings in Houston, Minnesota.

Church of the Holy Comforter-Episcopal
Brownsville
Jefferson Grain Warehouse
Jefferson
Schech Mill
Caledonia
Bridge No. 6679
Houston
Portland Prairie Methodist Episcopal Church
Eitzen
Houston County Courthouse and Jail
Caledonia
Johnson Mill
Eitzen
Browse all Minnesotahistoric sites ›

Other counties in Minnesota

Explore census history and historic records for more Minnesota counties.

Red LakeRedwoodRenvilleRiceRockRoseauScottSherburneSibleySt. LouisStearnsSteeleStevensSwiftToddTraverseWabashaWadenaWahnataWaseca
Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Houston County, Minnesota

This page charts the census history of Houston County, Minnesota. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Houston County, Minnesota report
Or see a real report first

Explore Minnesota records

Minnesotahistory ›NRHP historic sites ›Notable people from Minnesota›

Frequently asked about Houston

When does Houston first appear in the US census?
Houston, Minnesota first appears in the federal census in 1860, with a recorded population of 6,645.
What is the population of Houston?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Houston had a recorded population of 18,843.
When did Houston's population peak?
Houston's recorded population peaked at 19,718 in 2000.
Were any battles fought in Houston?
2 documented military engagements took place in Houston, including Bad Ax Massacre (Black Hawk War) — Aftermath Site, Wisconsin — Battle of Bad Ax — Black Hawk War.
How many historic places are in Houston?
16 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Houston, Minnesota.
Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your locationView a free sample report