Cosmos, Minnesota Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

Cosmos, Minnesota is a small city located in Meeker County. It is situated on the north bank of the Crow River and is about 75 miles west of Minneapolis. The population of Cosmos was 437 in 2010, and it has grown slightly since then.

The town was founded in 1873 by a group of German immigrants who were looking for new land to settle on. The name Cosmos was chosen because it means “orderly universe” in Greek, which reflected the settlers’ desire to create an orderly world for themselves in this new land.

Today, Cosmos is a quiet rural community that maintains its small-town charm while still offering modern amenities. The downtown area has several shops, restaurants, and other businesses that serve the local population. There are also a few churches and schools located in town.

The main attraction of Cosmos is its natural beauty. The town is surrounded by lush green fields and rolling hills that offer some stunning views of the countryside. In addition to being picturesque, these areas are also home to many species of wildlife such as deer, wild turkeys, and foxes.

Cosmos also offers plenty of recreational activities for visitors and locals alike. There are several parks located within the city limits where people can go hiking or biking on trails or take part in other outdoor activities like fishing or bird watching. The nearby Crow River provides additional opportunities for canoeing or kayaking as well as swimming during warmer months.

Cosmos is an ideal destination for those looking to get away from it all without having to travel too far from home. The city’s small size makes it easy to explore on foot or bicycle while still providing access to all the necessary amenities one would need for daily life such as grocery stores and medical facilities. Its close proximity to Minneapolis also makes it an attractive option for those who wish to visit the Twin Cities area but don’t want to stay right in the middle of it all.

Population: 582. Estimated population in July 2024: 574 (-1.4% change)
Males: 277 (47.6%), Females: 305 (52.4%)

Meeker County

Zip code: 56228

Demographics

Median resident age: 41.5 years
Median household income: $30,278
Median house value: $59,300

Population by Race

Races in Cosmos:

  • White Non-Hispanic (98.3%)
  • Vietnamese (0.7%)
  • Two or more races (0.5%)

Ancestries: German (50.2%), Norwegian (14.6%), Swedish (11.3%), United States (4.5%), Irish (4.1%), English (4.0%).

Elevation: 1110 feet

Land area: 1.1 square miles

Map of Cosmos, MN

Population by Education

For population 25 years and over in Cosmos

  • High school or higher: 67.1%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 5.2%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 3.0%
  • Unemployed: 1.7%
  • Mean travel time to work: 21.1 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Cosmos city

  • Never married: 17.8%
  • Now married: 64.9%
  • Separated: 0.4%
  • Widowed: 6.1%
  • Divorced: 10.8%

0.7% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: -35 (-5.7%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Cosmos:

  • MEEKER COUNTY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 17 miles; LITCHFIELD, MN)
  • HUTCHINSON COMMUNITY HOSPITAL (about 22 miles; HUTCHINSON, MN)
  • RENVILLE COUNTY HOSPITAL (about 24 miles; OLIVIA, MN)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Cosmos:

  • ST CLOUD REGIONAL (about 61 miles; ST CLOUD, MN; Abbreviation: STC)
  • MINNEAPOLIS-ST PAUL INTL/WOLD-CHAMBERLAIN/ (about 103 miles; MINNEAPOLIS, MN; Abbreviation: MSP)
  • BRAINERD LAKES RGNL (about 107 miles; BRAINERD, MN; Abbreviation: BRD)

Other public-use airports nearest to Cosmos:

  • HECTOR MUNI (about 16 miles; HECTOR, MN; Abbreviation: 1D6)
  • LITCHFIELD MUNI (about 17 miles; LITCHFIELD, MN; Abbreviation: LJF)
  • HUTCHINSON MUNI-BUTLER FIELD (about 24 miles; HUTCHINSON, MN; Abbreviation: HCD)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Cosmos:

  • RIDGEWATER COLLEGE (about 28 miles; WILLMAR, MN; Full-time enrollment: 2,711)
  • SAINT CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY (about 53 miles; ST CLOUD, MN; Full-time enrollment: 12,913)
  • SAINT CLOUD TECHNICAL COLLEGE (about 56 miles; ST CLOUD, MN; Full-time enrollment: 2,183)
  • GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS COLLEGE (about 64 miles; ST PETER, MN; Full-time enrollment: 2,355)
  • SOUTH CENTRAL TECHNICAL COLLEGE-MANKATO (about 69 miles; NORTH MANKATO, MN; Full-time enrollment: 2,186)
  • MINNESOTA STATE UNVERSITY-MANKATO (about 73 miles; MANKATO, MN; Full-time enrollment: 11,210)
  • SOUTHWEST STATE UNIVERSITY (about 82 miles; MARSHALL, MN; Full-time enrollment: 3,405)

Public primary/middle school in Cosmos:

  • A.C.G.C. SOUTH EL. (Students: 167; Location: 302 N. SATURN ST.; Grades: PK – 06)