Dayton is a city in Hennepin and Wright counties in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The population was 7,262 at the 2020 census. According to 2023 census estimates, the city is estimated to have a population of 10,157. Dayton is mainly located within Hennepin County, but a part of the city extends into Wright County as well. It is the northernmost city in Hennepin County and is a suburb of the Minneapolis–St. Paul "Twin Cities" metropolitan area.

The city of Dayton, platted in 1855, is named for city founder, Lyman Dayton. Through his energy and finances, Lyman Dayton was instrumental in bringing the railroad into Minnesota and development of the Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad, of which he was president until 1865. The line is now part of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 25.182 square miles (65.22 km), of which 23.419 square miles (60.65 km) is land and 1.763 square miles (4.57 km) is water. On January 15, 2003, the city's most recent geographical expanse extended its boundaries.

Fernbrook Lane (County 121); North Diamond Lake Road (County 144); South Diamond Lake Road; and Dayton River Road (County 12) are four of the main routes in Dayton. Interstate 94 and County Road 81 pass briefly through the southwest corner of Dayton. Brockton Lane (County 13) runs north-south along Dayton's western boundary line with adjacent city of Rogers.

The neighboring cities are Champlin, Rogers, Maple Grove, Anoka, Ramsey, Elk River, and Otsego. Corcoran is nearby, but does not border Dayton.

Dayton is located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Crow Rivers.

Dayton is a small town in regard to the economy scale with few retail outlets. Dayton's economy comes from mostly small business operations such as its' golf course, various car repair shops, famous local manor, and custom home builders. Its one mall, Raintree Plaza, has Marathon gas station and convenience store as well as several other small businesses.

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In 2011, the city was forced to lay off several staff members and reduce services due to budget cuts.

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1880	255		—
1910	343		—
1920	299		−12.8%
1930	265		−11.4%
1940	253		−4.5%
1950	363		43.5%
1960	456		25.6%
1970	517		13.4%
1980	4,070		687.2%
1990	4,443		9.2%
2000	4,699		5.8%
2010	4,671		−0.6%
2020	7,262		55.5%
2023 (est.)	10,157		39.9%
U.S. Decennial Census 2020 Census

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1860	540		—
1870	951		76.1%
1880	1,197		25.9%
1890	1,075		−10.2%
1900	1,138		5.9%
1910	778		−31.6%
1920	744		−4.4%
1930	718		−3.5%
1940	741		3.2%
1950	715		−3.5%
1960	804		12.4%
1970	2,162		168.9%
U.S. Census for Dayton Township

Dayton, Minnesota – Racial Composition
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.

Race	Number	Percentage
White (NH)	5,759	79.3%
Black or African American (NH)	236	3.2%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)	19	0.3%
Asian (NH)	214	2.9%
Pacific Islander (NH)	0	0.0%
Some Other Race (NH)	33	0.5%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH)	297	4.1%
Hispanic or Latino	704	9.7%
Total	7,262	100.0%

As of the 2020 census, there were 7,262 people, 2,458 households, 2,035 families residing in the city. The population density was 310.1 inhabitants per square mile (119.7/km). There were 2,605 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 80.7% White, 3.3% African American, 0.5% Native American, 3.0% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 5.9% from some other races and 6.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.7% of the population.

As of the 2010 census, there were 4,671 people, 1,638 households, and 1,319 families living in the city. The population density was 200.9 inhabitants per square mile (77.6/km). There were 1,699 housing units at an average density of 73.1 per square mile (28.2/km). The racial makeup of the city was 93.7% White, 0.5% African American, 0.2% Native American, 2.0% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.8% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.8% of the population.

There were 1,638 households, of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.8% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 19.5% were non-families. 14.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.85 and the average family size was 3.12.

The median age in the city was 41.7 years. 24.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.5% were from 25 to 44; 35.7% were from 45 to 64; and 9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 52.2% male and 47.8% female.

As of the 2000 census, there were 4,699 people, 1,550 households, and 1,292 families living in the city. The population density was 200.4 inhabitants per square mile (77.4/km). There were 1,566 housing units at an average density of 66.8 inhabitants per square mile (25.8/km). The racial makeup of the city was 95.28% White, 0.64% African American, 0.64% Native American, 0.81% Asian, 1.87% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.75% of the population. 31.6% were of German, 13.5% Swedish, 11.0% Norwegian and 7.9% Irish ancestry.

There were 1,550 households, out of which 45.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.9% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.6% were non-families. 11.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.03 and the average family size was 3.29.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 30.5% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 33.2% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 4.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $66,875, and the median income for a family was $71,356. Males had a median income of $41,476 versus $30,386 for females. The per capita income for the city was $27,756. About 1.0% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.7% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

From 1960 to 1996, Dayton was a Democratic stronghold, having voted Democrat in every election except for 1984 when it voted narrowly for then incumbent Ronald Reagan, who won in a landslide over Minnesota Senator Walter Mondale. The city was last won by Kamala Harris in 2024.

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, constructed in 1904, can be seen for miles and from four different counties.

• City of Dayton – Official Website

45°14′38″N 93°30′54″W / 45.24389°N 93.51500°W / 45.24389; -93.51500