The demographics of Minnesota are tracked by the United States Census Bureau, with additional data gathered by the Minnesota State Demographic Center. According to the most recent estimates, Minnesota's population as of 2020 was approximately 5.7 million, making it the 22nd most populous state in the United States. The total fertility rate in Minnesota was roughly 1.87 in 2019, slightly below the replacement rate of 2.1.
For decades, Minnesota has been characterized by a higher number of births than deaths. The state has seen significant population growth in the past century, both through natural increase and immigration. In 2020, approximately 8% of the population was foreign-born.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Minnesota was a significant destination for European immigrants, especially from Germany, Norway, and Sweden. In more recent years, the state has become a new home for refugees and immigrants from Latin America (primarily Mexicans, Salvadorans, and Ecuadorians), East Africa (especially Somalis and Ethiopians), South Asia (mostly Indians), West Africa (primarily Liberians) and Southeast Asia (primarily Hmong, Burmese, Lao, and Vietnamese communities).
The population of Minnesota is not only diverse in terms of birthplace and ancestry, but also in terms of age and socioeconomic status. Minnesota boasts a well-educated populace, with one of the highest high school graduation rates in the nation and a robust system of public and private colleges and universities. With a median household income of around $70,000 in 2019, Minnesota is a predominantly middle-class state. However, income disparities and child poverty rates have been persistent issues, reflecting broader national trends.
As of 2020, Minnesota was among the top states in the nation for life expectancy, health care access, and quality of life. Furthermore, Minnesota is known for its commitment to environmental stewardship and outdoor recreation, with numerous state parks, forests, and water bodies.
Population
Minnesota's population experienced significant growth over the years. In 1850, the state had fewer than 6,100 residents, which expanded to over 1.75 million by 1900. Throughout the following six decades, there was a consistent increase of 15.0% in population, reaching 3.41 million in 1960. Subsequently, the growth rate slowed, with an 11.0% rise to 3.8 million in 1970. Over the next three decades, the population continued to grow at an average rate of 9.0%, resulting in a population of 4.91 million according to the 2000 census. In 2020, the population was approximately 5.7 million.
Minnesota's population trends, age distribution, and gender ratios closely approximate the national average. However, it is worth noting that minority groups in Minnesota constitute a smaller proportion of the overall population compared to the nation as a whole.
The center of population in Minnesota is located in Hennepin County, specifically in the city of Rogers.
The population distribution by age in the 2019 American Community Survey was: Under 5 years: 6.2% 5–9 years: 6.5% 10–14 years: 6.5% 15–19 years: 6.6% 20–24 years: 6.8% 25–34 years: 13.7% 35–44 years: 12.7% 45–54 years: 12.6% 55–59 years: 7.1% 60–64 years: 6.3% 65–74 years: 9.3% 75–84 years: 4.4% 85 years and over: 1.3%
Approximately 60% of the state's population lives within the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area and 40% in the remainder of the state. This is a result of the migration of jobs from farming, mining, and logging, prevalent in the 19th century, to the current concentration in professional, office, and service jobs, concentrated in the metropolitan areas.
Most populous counties
2023 rank County Seat city 2020 Census 2023 Estimate % gain since 2020 Hennepin Minneapolis Ramsey Saint Paul Dakota Hastings Anoka Anoka Washington Stillwater St. Louis Duluth Olmsted Rochester Stearns St. Cloud Scott Shakopee Wright Buffalo Carver Chaska Sherburne Elk River Blue Earth Mankato Crow Wing Brainerd Rice Faribault Clay Moorhead Otter Tail Fergus Falls Chisago Center City Winona Winona Goodhue Red Wing
Race and ethnicity
As of the 2020 United States Census, the racial and ethnic composition of Minnesota has become more diverse compared to the 2010 census.
White or European Americans The state's population is predominantly White, making up approximately 77.5% of the total population (76.3% non-Hispanic Whites). This group primarily consists of individuals of Northern and Western European descent, with a significant proportion of residents claiming being German (the largest European ancestry), Norwegian, Irish, Swedish, and English ancestry. Among those 65 years and over, 92.4% are White.
Black or African Americans African Americans are 7.0% of the population, a figure that has steadily increased over the past three decades. This growth is in part attributed to the influx of immigrants from East Africa, particularly Somalia and Ethiopia, who mainly reside in the Minneapolis–St. Paul metropolitan area.
Hispanic or Latino Americans From 2000 to 2010, there was a significant increase in the Hispanic population by 74.5%, and this trend continued from 2010 to 2020. The state's Latino population exceeds 345,000, accounting for about 6% of the total population. Mexican origin residents form the largest group of Latinos in Minnesota, with a population of 213,800, making them the third largest cultural group in the state. Approximately 60% of Mexican Minnesotans reside in the 7-county Twin Cities metro area, with the remaining 40% spread across smaller cities and rural areas of the state.
Asian Americans Asian Americans are 5.2% of the state's total. The Hmong community, originating from Southeast Asia has a significant presence in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
Native Americans Native Americans are 1.2% of the population. The two primary tribes in Minnesota are the Dakota (also known as the Sioux) and the Ojibwe (also known as the Chippewa or Anishinaabe). The Dakota are indigenous to the Minnesota region and were the state's earliest inhabitants. They traditionally lived in the southeastern part of the state, along the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers. The Dakota are divided into several bands, including the Mdewakanton, Sisseton, Wahpeton, and Wahpekute. Today, there are four Dakota communities in Minnesota: Shakopee Mdewakanton, Prairie Island Indian Community, Upper Sioux Community, and Lower Sioux Indian Community. The Ojibwe migrated to Minnesota from the east around the 17th century, settling primarily in the northern and central parts of the state. There are seven Ojibwe reservations in Minnesota today: Bois Forte, Fond du Lac, Grand Portage, Leech Lake, Mille Lacs, Red Lake, and White Earth.
Vital statistics Year Births White(non-hispanic)BlackAsianAmericanIndianHispanic/Latino(any race)Number%Number%Number%Number%Number% 2014 69,904 50,332 72.0 8,033 11.5 5,669 8.1 1,428 2.0 4,678 6.7 2015 69,834 49,673 71.1 8,353 12.0 5,659 8.1 1,415 2.0 4,852 6.9 2016 69,749 48,534 69.6 7,781 11.1 5,367 7.7 1,059 1.5 4,871 7.0 2017 68,595 47,088 68.6 8,163 11.9 5,323 7.8 1,098 1.6 5,023 7.3 2018 67,344 46,014 68.3 8,207 12.2 5,298 7.9 1,040 1.5 4,991 7.4 2019 66,027 44,593 67.5 8,253 12.5 5,229 7.9 998 1.5 5,129 7.8 2020 63,443 42,099 66.4 8,074 12.7 5,026 7.9 873 1.4 5,320 8.4 2021 64,425 43,535 67.6 7,721 12.0 4,849 7.5 792 1.2 5,487 8.5 2022 64,015 42,246 66.0 7,923 12.4 4,931 7.7 774 1.2 6,040 9.4 2023 61,715 40,406 65.5 7,415 12.0 4,666 7.6 742 1.2 6,498 10.5 2024 62,110 40,026 64.4 7,310 11.8 4,660 7.5 716 1.1 7,235 11.6
Historical
The racial demographics of Minnesota have evolved considerably since the state's early settlement period. According to the United States Census data, the state's population in 1850 was 99.4% White, with a very small Black population of 0.6%, and virtually no representation of other racial groups.
This racial makeup largely remained consistent through the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with the White population consistently above 98% through 1940. Meanwhile, the Black and Native American populations fluctuated marginally, remaining below 1%. Asian and other races weren't distinctly represented in the census until the later part of the 19th century.
By 1950, the state began to see slight increases in racial diversity. The White population fell slightly to 99%, with a small increase in the Black population to 0.5%, and other racial groups beginning to be represented. It wasn't until the latter half of the 20th century that more notable changes occurred. By 1980, the White population had fallen to 96.6%, while the Black population had risen to 1.3%. In 1990, the racial composition continued to diversify, with the White population falling to 94.4%, and the Black population rising to 2.2%. The Asian population also increased to 1.8%, due in part to resettlement of some Hmong peoples following the Laotian Civil War.
Significant shifts in racial demographics were evident by the turn of the 21st century. By 2010, the White population was 85.3% and the Black population increased to 5.2%. The Asian population rose to 4%, and those identifying as two or more races rose to 2.4%. This trend was reflected in the 2020 census as well. Year Total WhiteBlackNativeAsian (incl. Pacific Is.)Other<br/ >race Two or moreNumber%Number%Number%Number%Number%Number% 1850 6,077 6,038 99.4 39 0.6 1860 172,023 169,395 98.5 259 0.2 2,369 1.4 1870 439,706 438,257 99.7 759 0.2 690 0.2 1880 780,773 776,884 99.5 1,564 0.2 2,300 0.3 25 0.0 1890 1,301,826 1,296,159 98.9 3,683 0.3 10,096 0.8 96 0.0 1900 1,751,394 1,737,036 99.2 4,959 0.3 9,182 0.5 217 0.0 1910 2,075,708 2,059,227 99.2 7,084 0.3 9,182 0.4 344 0.0 1920 2,387,125 2,368,936 99.2 8,809 0.4 8,761 0.4 619 0.0 1930 2,563,953 2,542,599 99.2 9,445 0.4 11,077 0.4 832 0.0 1940 2,792,300 2,768,982 99.2 9,928 0.4 12,528 0.4 862 0.0 1950 2,982,483 2,953,697 99.0 14,022 0.5 12,533 0.4 2,061 0.1 170 0.0 1960 3,413,864 3,371,603 98.8 22,263 0.7 15,496 0.5 3,642 0.1 860 0.0 1970 3,804,971 3,736,038 98.2 34,868 0.9 23,128 0.6 7,605 0.2 3,332 0.1 1980 4,075,970 3,935,770 96.6 53,344 1.3 35,016 0.9 26,536 0.7 25,304 0.7 1990 4,375,099 4,130,395 94.4 94,944 2.2 49,909 1.1 77,886 1.8 21,965 0.5 2000 4,919,479 4,400,282 89.4 171,731 3.5 54,967 1.1 143,946 2.9 65,810 1.3 82,742 1.7 2010 5,303,925 4,524,062 85.3 274,412 5.2 60,916 1.2 216,390 4.0 103,000 1.9 125,145 2.4 2020 5,706,494 4,423,146 77.5 398,434 7.0 68,641 1.2 302,108 5.3 168,444 3.0 345,721 6.1
Native American tribes
What is now Minnesota has been historically inhabited at various times by the following tribes: the Chippewa (Ojibwe), the Sioux, the Iowa, the Otoe, the Arapaho, the Cheyenne, the Foxes, the Missouri, the Sauk, the Omaha, the Ponca and the Ho-Chunk (this last tribe from 1848 to 1863). Today the largest Native American peoples in Minnesota are the Chippewa and the Sioux, as shown by the map.
Immigration