Fastest growing cities in Minnesota
Population growth in the United States is slowing. From 2010 to 2020, the population grew by just 7.4%—the lowest rate since the 1930s. Declining birth rates, an aging population, and fewer immigrants are all contributing to historically slow growth rates. But depending on where you are in the country, it might not always feel that way.
In every state, there were cities that experienced cumulative population gains over the course of the decade. But when you look at the growth rates from year to year, cities across the country are following a similar trajectory. Small, medium, and large cities all saw declining growth since 2016. Some of the largest cities—those with populations over 1 million—have actually seen a decrease in overall population, not just slower population growth.
Stacker compiled a list of the fastest-growing cities in Minnesota using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Cities are ranked by the highest population growth from 2010 to 2020.
Many cities experienced their most significant growth within the first few years of the decade. Experts postulate that the housing bubble burst in tandem with economic hardships of the Great Recession pushed many people of home-buying age to the cities. A decade later, in the wake of the pandemic, the U.S. is in a similar position.
#20. St. Louis Park
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +5,345
--- #945 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 12.0%
--- #268 among cities in Minnesota, #8,022 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 50,010
--- #20 largest city in Minnesota, #862 largest city nationwide
#19. Prior Lake
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +5,424
--- #933 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 24.4%
--- #133 among cities in Minnesota, #4,679 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 27,617
--- #36 largest city in Minnesota, #1,623 largest city nationwide
#18. Rogers
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +5,634
--- #905 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 73.5%
--- #31 among cities in Minnesota, #1,325 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 13,295
--- #84 largest city in Minnesota, #3,240 largest city nationwide
#17. Savage
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +5,856
--- #871 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 22.0%
--- #153 among cities in Minnesota, #5,173 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 32,465
--- #31 largest city in Minnesota, #1,378 largest city nationwide
#16. Edina
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +6,049
--- #847 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 12.7%
--- #251 among cities in Minnesota, #7,721 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 53,494
--- #19 largest city in Minnesota, #799 largest city nationwide
#15. Mankato
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +6,301
--- #816 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 16.5%
--- #205 among cities in Minnesota, #6,511 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 44,488
--- #22 largest city in Minnesota, #976 largest city nationwide
#14. Bloomington
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +7,366
--- #714 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 8.9%
--- #328 among cities in Minnesota, #9,394 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 89,987
--- #4 largest city in Minnesota, #394 largest city nationwide
#13. Otsego
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +7,445
--- #704 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 59.5%
--- #43 among cities in Minnesota, #1,785 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 19,966
--- #60 largest city in Minnesota, #2,257 largest city nationwide
#12. Apple Valley
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +7,623
--- #686 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 15.6%
--- #218 among cities in Minnesota, #6,770 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 56,374
--- #17 largest city in Minnesota, #751 largest city nationwide
#11. Moorhead
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +7,784
--- #672 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 21.2%
--- #159 among cities in Minnesota, #5,359 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 44,505
--- #21 largest city in Minnesota, #975 largest city nationwide
#10. Shakopee
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +8,623
--- #601 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 24.6%
--- #132 among cities in Minnesota, #4,655 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 43,698
--- #23 largest city in Minnesota, #1,000 largest city nationwide
#9. Maple Grove
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +11,214
--- #461 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 19.0%
--- #181 among cities in Minnesota, #5,856 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 70,253
--- #9 largest city in Minnesota, #560 largest city nationwide
#8. Plymouth
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +11,855
--- #429 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 17.1%
--- #195 among cities in Minnesota, #6,367 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 81,026
--- #7 largest city in Minnesota, #457 largest city nationwide
#7. Brooklyn Park
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +12,836
--- #385 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 17.4%
--- #190 among cities in Minnesota, #6,283 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 86,478
--- #6 largest city in Minnesota, #419 largest city nationwide
#6. Blaine
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +14,809
--- #325 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 26.7%
--- #119 among cities in Minnesota, #4,309 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 70,222
--- #10 largest city in Minnesota, #561 largest city nationwide
#5. Lakeville
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +15,506
--- #295 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 28.7%
--- #114 among cities in Minnesota, #4,015 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 69,490
--- #11 largest city in Minnesota, #572 largest city nationwide
#4. Woodbury
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +15,655
--- #291 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 26.3%
--- #123 among cities in Minnesota, #4,373 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 75,102
--- #8 largest city in Minnesota, #510 largest city nationwide
#3. Rochester
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +17,194
--- #255 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 16.5%
--- #204 among cities in Minnesota, #6,510 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 121,395
--- #3 largest city in Minnesota, #237 largest city nationwide
#2. St. Paul
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +29,448
--- #116 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 10.4%
--- #294 among cities in Minnesota, #8,680 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 311,527
--- #2 largest city in Minnesota, #63 largest city nationwide
#1. Minneapolis
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +50,323
--- #49 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 13.3%
--- #243 among cities in Minnesota, #7,540 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 429,954
--- #1 largest city in Minnesota, #45 largest city nationwide
