Dodge County

Here are concise, high-level demographics for Dodge County, Minnesota (latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates; primarily ACS 2019–2023 5-year):

Population size

• Total population: ~21,000

Age

• Median age: ~39 years
• Under 18: ~27–28%
• 18 to 64: ~58–59%
• 65 and over: ~14–15%

Gender

• Approximately 50% male, 50% female

Race/ethnicity (percent of total population)

• White (non-Hispanic): ~86–88%
• Hispanic/Latino (any race): ~8–9%
• Two or more races (non-Hispanic): ~2–3%
• Black or African American (non-Hispanic): ~1%
• Asian (non-Hispanic): ~1%
• American Indian/Alaska Native (non-Hispanic): ~0.3%
• Other/remaining: ~0–1%

Households

• Total households: ~7,700
• Average household size: ~2.7
• Family households: ~72–75% of households
• Households with children under 18: ~35–37%
• Homeowner occupancy: ~80–85% (remainder renter-occupied)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019–2023 5-year estimates (and 2020 Census Demographic Profile for cross-check).

Email usage in Dodge County, Minnesota

• Context: Population ≈21,000; density ≈47 people/sq mi; part of the Rochester, MN metro. Highest connectivity in Kasson–Mantorville and Dodge Center; more rural townships have patchier service.

• Estimated email users: 17,000–19,000 (about 85–90% of residents age 13+).

• Age mix among email users (approx. share):

  • 13–17: 6–8%
  • 18–34: 22–26%
  • 35–54: 32–36%
  • 55–64: 14–17%
  • 65+: 15–19%

• Gender split: ~49% male, 51% female; email adoption is similar by gender.

• Digital access trends:

  • 87–92% of households subscribe to home broadband; 100+ Mbps service common in towns via cable/fiber; rural areas still show fixed‑wireless/DSL use, with fiber steadily expanding (Minnesota Border‑to‑Border grants).
  • Smartphone ownership is widespread; about 7–10% of households are smartphone‑only.
  • Robust public Wi‑Fi at libraries/schools; many residents commute toward Rochester, boosting workplace connectivity.
  • Strong cellular coverage along US‑14 and population centers; weaker in some low‑lying rural pockets.

Notes: Figures are estimates derived by applying national email adoption rates to recent ACS/Census demographics and local broadband reporting.

Below is a pragmatic snapshot of mobile phone usage in Dodge County, Minnesota, with cautious, evidence‑based estimates and the key ways the county differs from statewide patterns.

Quick context

• County profile: Predominantly rural/agricultural with small towns (e.g., Kasson, Mantorville, Dodge Center, Hayfield) and strong ties to the Rochester corridor (US‑14). Terrain is mostly flat, aiding wide‑area cellular coverage but with common indoor signal issues in metal‑roof/farm buildings.

User estimates (orders of magnitude, not exact counts)

• Total population: ~21,000 (2020 Census benchmark; modest growth since).
• Adults (18+): ~16,000–17,000.
• Adult mobile phone users: ~15,000–16,000 (assuming 93–96% phone ownership in rural areas vs ~97% nationally).
• Adult smartphone users: ~12,500–14,000 (assuming 80–88% smartphone adoption in rural areas vs ~90% nationally).
• Teens (13–17) with smartphones: ~1,100–1,300 (adoption commonly ~90–95%).
• Practical takeaway: Roughly 16,000–17,500 total residents use a mobile phone, of whom ~13,500–15,000 are on smartphones.

Demographic breakdown (directional patterns)

• Age:
  • 18–29: Near-universal smartphone use, heavy social/video apps; similar to statewide.
  • 30–64: High smartphone use; slightly higher reliance on work-provided devices among Rochester commuters.
  • 65+: Notably lower smartphone penetration than statewide average; higher incidence of basic/voice‑first phones and LTE‑only handsets. This drags overall smartphone share below the Minnesota average.
• Income/plan type:
  • Higher share of price‑sensitive plans (MVNO and prepaid) than statewide, reflecting rural cost management and multi‑line family bundles.
  • After the ACP subsidy lapsed in 2024, some low‑ and moderate‑income households appear to have shifted to mobile‑only connectivity or downgraded data tiers more than the statewide average.
• Household connectivity mix:
  • “Mobile‑only” households (no wired broadband) are more common than statewide, especially outside town centers; this increases smartphone data reliance and hotspot use.
• Language/communities:
  • Messaging apps that reduce SMS/voice costs (e.g., WhatsApp) see relatively higher use within immigrant/Hispanic households than in the county’s overall population, similar to other rural MN counties.

Digital infrastructure and coverage

• Macro coverage:
  • All three nationwide carriers (Verizon, AT&T/FirstNet, T‑Mobile) provide broad outdoor LTE coverage across the county; coverage is strongest along US‑14 and in/around towns.
  • 5G:
    • T‑Mobile’s mid‑band (n41) covers much of the county’s populated areas and corridors, often delivering 100–300 Mbps where signal is strong.
    • Verizon C‑band (n77) radiates out of Rochester and major corridors; town centers and US‑14 segments typically see good 5G, with LTE fallback between sites.
    • AT&T offers wide low‑band 5G (good reach) and growing mid‑band; FirstNet adds resiliency for public safety.
• Indoor reception:
  • Metal‑roofed farm buildings and larger industrial/ag facilities frequently require boosters or Wi‑Fi calling; this issue is more acute than in urban parts of Minnesota.
• Capacity patterns:
  • Notable busy times on school evenings, during events, and along the commuter corridor to Rochester; MVNO users may feel deprioritization more in these windows.
• Fixed alternatives:
  • Fiber is present in town centers and some newer subdivisions via regional providers; coverage becomes patchy on farmsteads.
  • Cable and legacy DSL vary by town; outside towns, options are limited.
  • 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) from T‑Mobile and, in select areas, Verizon, is increasingly available and often outperforms legacy DSL—adoption is growing faster here than statewide due to limited rural wired options.

How Dodge County differs from Minnesota statewide

• Slightly lower smartphone penetration, driven by a larger share of older adults using basic phones or holding onto LTE‑only devices longer.
• Higher share of mobile‑only households and heavier reliance on hotspots/FWA as primary home internet compared with the state average, which tilts more toward wired broadband in metro areas.
• More price‑sensitive plan selection (MVNO/prepaid) and longer device upgrade cycles (3–4 years) than in the Twin Cities metro, where 5G device turnover is faster.
• 5G coverage is good along corridors and towns but more “patchwork” between sites than in metro Minnesota; indoor coverage challenges in agricultural buildings are a more frequent pain point locally.
• Carrier dynamics: Verizon retains a strong rural foothold; T‑Mobile has gained share thanks to mid‑band 5G reach and aggressive pricing. This competitive shift is more noticeable here than in urban Twin Cities areas where all three carriers are dense.

Practical implications

• For residents: If you live or work in a metal‑roofed structure, enable Wi‑Fi calling and consider a carrier‑approved booster. Check FWA availability if wired options are limited.
• For businesses/schools: Plan for peak‑hour cellular congestion during events; consider managed Wi‑Fi and dual‑WAN (wired + FWA) for resilience.
• For planners: Target new small cells or sector adds near schools, fairgrounds, and US‑14 choke points; coordinate with carriers on farm‑focused in‑building coverage solutions.

Notes on sources and method

• Population baselines: U.S. Census/ACS (county population ~21k; adult share estimated).
• Adoption rates: Pew Research Center (2023–2024) national/rural smartphone and mobile phone ownership; rural adjustments applied to county scale.
• Coverage/infrastructure: FCC/National Broadband Map, carrier public 5G buildouts in Minnesota, industry testing datasets (e.g., Opensignal/Ookla) generalized to rural SE Minnesota conditions.
• Figures are estimates intended for planning; on‑the‑ground measurements and address‑level service checks will yield the most accurate, location‑specific view.

Dodge County, MN social media snapshot (estimates, 2025)

Topline user stats

• Population ~21,000; age 13+ ~17,500.
• Estimated active social media users (13+): 14,000–15,000 (roughly 80–85% penetration). Adults 18+ ~72–78%; teens 13–17 ~95%+.
• Average platforms per user: 3–4.

Most‑used platforms locally (share of 13+ who use at least monthly)

• YouTube: ~86%
• Facebook: ~72%
• Instagram: ~47%
• Snapchat: ~42%
• TikTok: ~36%
• Pinterest: ~34% (notably strong among women 25–54)
• LinkedIn: ~20% (higher among Rochester-area commuters)
• X/Twitter: ~18%
• Reddit: ~16%
• Nextdoor: ~9% (limited by rural addressing; FB Groups fill the gap)

Age pattern highlights

• 13–17: ~8–10% of local social users. Heavy on Snapchat, YouTube, TikTok; Instagram strong; Facebook low.
• 18–29: ~18–20%. Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok lead; Facebook for events/Marketplace.
• 30–44: ~28–30%. Facebook and YouTube dominant; Instagram and Pinterest common; TikTok rising.
• 45–64: ~28–30%. Facebook and YouTube core; Pinterest moderate; TikTok/Instagram lighter but growing.
• 65+: ~12–14%. Facebook (family/groups/Marketplace) and YouTube (how‑to, news) mainly.

Gender breakdown (of social users)

• Women: ~52–54% of users; higher on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest.
• Men: ~46–48%; higher on YouTube, Reddit, X.

Behavioral trends to know

• Community and info: Facebook Groups are the hub (schools, youth sports, churches, road/weather updates). Messenger is widely used.
• Marketplace culture: Strong buy/sell activity (farm/ranch gear, vehicles, home goods).
• News and weather: Follow Rochester/Dodge County outlets on Facebook; spikes during storms and school closings.
• Posting rhythms: Peaks 6–8 a.m. and 7–9 p.m.; strong engagement around school sports seasons and the county fair.
• Messaging-first youth: Teens/young adults prefer Snapchat and IG DMs; older adults rely on Messenger. WhatsApp usage is niche.
• Content mode: YouTube/TikTok skew toward passive viewing and how‑to/entertainment; Facebook toward practical local updates and events.
• Privacy shift: More activity in private groups and DMs vs public posting.
• Advertising response: Local service promos and restaurant specials perform best on Facebook/Instagram; LinkedIn useful for recruiting commuters in healthcare/tech; Nextdoor has limited reach.

Notes on method

• Figures are modeled estimates using county population structure (ACS/Census) and recent U.S. platform adoption by age/locale (e.g., Pew Research), adjusted for rural/suburban Midwest patterns. Treat as directional, not official counts.