Our Estimates

In between the decennial census years, the State Demographic Center produces population and household estimates for Minnesota and its counties and communities. Our latest estimates, for 2021, were released in August 2022.

Key Findings
MN & EDR Data
County Data
City & Township Data
FAQ
Other Resources

Key Findings
- The total population of Minnesota in 2021, based upon our office's latest estimates, was 5,742,036. Additionally, there were 2,275,868 households in the state.
- Minnesota's population grew 0.6% between 2020 and 2021, adding 35,542 residents (net).
- In 2021, the five largest counties by population were Hennepin (1,289,645 residents), Ramsey (553,229), Dakota (443,692), Anoka (366,888), and Washington (270,805).
- The fastest growing counties by population between 2020 and 2021 were Crow Wing (+2.7%), Hubbard (+2.6%), Wright (2.6%), Cass (2.4%), and Aitkin (1.9%). The counties that added the most residents between 2020 and 2021 on net were Hennepin (+8,080), Dakota (+3,810), Wright (+3,611), Washington (+3,237), and Anoka (+3,001). Thirty-two counties have lost population since 2020.
- The five largest Minnesota cities by population in 2021 were Minneapolis (434,346 residents), St. Paul (312,040), Rochester (122,065), Bloomington (90,874), and Brooklyn Park (86,106).
Note: Estimates for geographies in the seven-county Twin Cities area (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington counties) are produced by the Metropolitan Council. All estimates are dated to April 1.
MN & EDR Data
The data files below contain population estimates for Minnesota as a whole, as well as the 13 Economic Development Regions (EDRs) that are composed of groups of counties.
- MOST RECENT: Latest annual estimates of Minnesota and its Economic Development Regions' population and households, 2021. (Excel file, released August 2022.)
- Historical estimates of Minnesota, its Economic Development Regions, and its counties' population and households, 1990-2021. (Excel file, released August 2022.)
  
  Note: Historical estimates are not revised following results of the 10-year Census count, i.e., no backward, inter-censal smoothing has been performed. Therefore, data users may see a jump from 1999-2000, 2009-2010, and 2019-2020, an artifact of the estimation method and not a true population change.
- Our searchable "PopFinder" tool: find population totals for Minnesota, any county, or any Economic Development Region from 1990 to 2021.
County Data
- MOST RECENT: Latest annual estimates of Minnesota and its 87 counties' population and households, 2021. (Excel file, released August 2022)
- Historical estimates of Minnesota, its Economic Development Regions, and its counties' population and households, 1990-2021. (Excel file, released August 2022)
  
  Note: Historical estimates are not revised following results of the 10-year Census count, i.e., no backward, inter-censal smoothing has been performed. Therefore, data users may see a jump from 1999-2000, 2009-2010, and 2019-2020, an artifact of the estimation method and not a true population change.
- Our searchable "PopFinder" tool: find population totals for Minnesota, any county, or any Economic Development Region from 1990 to 2021.
City & Township Data
- MOST RECENT: Latest annual estimates of Minnesota and its cities' and townships' population and households, 2021. (Excel file, released August 2022.)
  Notes about the above file (file structure and changes, Word file, released August 2022).
- Historical estimates of Minnesota and its cities' and townships' population and households, 2000-2021 (Excel file, released August 2022)
  
  Note: Historical estimates are not revised following results of the 10-year Census count, i.e., no backward, inter-censal smoothing has been performed. Therefore, data users may see a jump from 2009-2010 and 2019-2021, an artifact of the estimation method and not a true population change.
- Our searchable "PopFinder" tool: find population totals for any city or township in Minnesota from 2000 to 2021.
FAQ

What are these estimates used for?
These annual population and household estimates are valuable tools for planning for Minnesota counties, cities, and townships. They also direct the flow of various state dollars, such as the Local Government Aid (LGA) program.

What is the reference date for these estimates?
Identical to the decennial Census counts, these data estimate the population on April 1 of each year. (Note: The U.S. Census Bureau's population estimates use a July 1, midyear, reference date).

What inputs are used to create these population estimates?
The initial base for the estimates is the most recent decennial census. The first step of the estimation process is to update the most recent estimates with any boundary changes in the past year involving population and households. The primary input for the estimates is building permit data for the year preceding the estimate. For areas not covered by building permits, homestead data from the Minnesota Department of Revenue are used. Available electric utility data, births and deaths are also used to evaluate the estimates. Counts for large group quarters such as college dormitories, prisons, jails, and regional treatment centers are also collected each year.

Do you create estimates for the years when we have a decennial Census?
No. Every ten years (years that end in -90, -00, -10, -20 etc.), we do not produce population estimates, but rely instead on the decennial counts. The decennial counts appear in our estimate files for those years.

Why is there occasionally a larger change between the last year of the decade and the decennial census year?
We do not smooth the previously published estimates after each decennial census count. Therefore, data users may see a jump between 2009 and 2010, 1999 and 2000, or 2019 and 2020, that is not a true population change. It is simply a case in which our estimate was corrected slightly by the census count. We use the best data available to make our estimates, but occasionally our estimates are a bit further from the on-the-ground reality.

Are these estimates different than those produced by the Metropolitan Council?
No. The State Demographic Center adopts the annual population estimates produced by the Met Council for the 7-county Twin Cities region (comprising Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington Counties) and the cities and townships within it.

Whom should I contact for more information about your estimates?
Questions about our population and household estimates should be directed to Eric Guthrie.

Are these estimates different than those produced by the U.S. Census Bureau?
Yes. The Census Bureau produces annual population estimates for the nation, states, counties, and sub-county areas. They use different methods and data for their estimates. In addition, their information about boundary changes and group quarters are not as current as those used by our office. As with our office, the Census Bureau does accept challenges to its estimates. However, their challenge process is more restrictive and limited than that of the MN State Demographic Center.

What if I need population data by age or race and ethnicity?
Our office's population estimates are prepared only for total population and households. Researchers or others who need additional population characteristic data (such as the 18+ population, or the Hispanic/Latino population) will need to use U.S. Census Bureau data--either from the decennial census (e.g., 1990, 2000, 2010, 2020) or its Population Estimates. If you have additional questions about which dataset to use, please email demography.helpline@state.mn.us.
Other Resources
- Locally, the seven-county Metropolitan Council prepares the population and household estimates for areas within its jurisdiction. The State Demographic Center adopts the Met Council estimates for the 7-county Twin Cities region, and prepares estimates for the remaining 80 counties and communities therein.
- The U.S. Census Bureau also produces population estimates for the nation, states, counties, cities and towns. The reference date is July 1 of each year. Users should note that the Census Bureau's estimates employ different methods than the MN State Demographic Center does; therefore figures will differ. See the FAQ tab for additional background.