Dakota County, Minnesota, USA

Dakota County is located southeast of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, extending from the Minnesota River southward through suburban communities and agricultural land. Hastings is the county seat, while its largest cities include Eagan, Burnsville, Lakeville, Apple Valley and Inver Grove Heights. The county was established in 1849 as one of the original counties of Minnesota Territory and was named for the Dakota people, whose homeland included the region’s river valleys and surrounding lands. The Mississippi, Minnesota and Cannon rivers form or cross portions of the county, and the landscape ranges from densely developed suburbs to small towns, farmland and protected natural areas. Dakota County had an estimated 457,710 residents in 2025 and provides services including public health, social services, transportation, courts, elections, libraries and public safety.