1. Define the geographic decision before asking for reviews
Cottage Grove is recorded as a city in Washington County, Minnesota. That relationship matters because your public reputation may need to support a city-specific presence, a county-wide practice, or a broader Minnesota service area. Those are different choices. A firm serving only Cottage Grove should not describe itself as serving every community in Washington County without deciding that scope first. A firm handling matters across Minnesota should separately determine whether a Cottage Grove profile is one part of a wider geographic strategy. Population can help establish that Cottage Grove is a meaningful municipality to include in planning, but it cannot tell you how many people are seeking a lawyer, how many firms compete, or how many reviews you may receive.
Recommended approach
Map the places your firm actually serves, then compare that map with the address and service-area information associated with your Google Business Profile. Decide whether review requests and public responses should reinforce Cottage Grove, Washington County, Minnesota, or a combination that accurately reflects your practice. Keep the geography truthful in every profile, response, and consultation conversation.
