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Minnesota Population Overview (2026 Projection)
Minnesota is a state in the Upper Midwestern United States. It is bordered by Wisconsin to the east, North Dakota and South Dakota to the west, Iowa to the south, and the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Ontario to the north.
Minnesota is the 22nd most populous state in the United States. The state has a total land area of 79,627 square miles (206,232 square kilometers) and an average population density of about 69 people per square mile, making it the 31st most densely populated state in the country.
According to the 2020 U.S. Census, Minnesota had a population of 5,706,494 (5.7 million). As of July 1, 2024, the estimated population of Minnesota increased to 5,793,151, or approximately 5.8 million people, reflecting steady population growth.
👉 Projected Population of Minnesota (2026): ~5.9 million
Minnesota Population Growth (2010–2020)
Minnesota recorded a population growth rate of 7.6% between 2010 and 2020, with the state adding 402,569 residents during the decade. The median age of Minnesota’s population is 37.8 years, reflecting a relatively balanced age structure. In terms of gender distribution, 50.3% of the population is female, while 49.7% is male.
Minnesota Census Snapshot (2020)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 5,706,494 (5.7 million) |
| Median Age | 37.8 years |
| Population Rank | 22nd |
| Total Land Area | 79,626.74 sq mi (206,232 km²) |
| Area Rank | 12th |
| Population Density | 68.9/sq mi (26.6/km²) |
| Capital City | Saint Paul |
| Largest City | Minneapolis |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (2020) and population estimates
Minnesota Historical Population
Minnesota recorded a population growth rate of 7.6% between 2010 and 2020. In 1910, the state’s population stood at approximately 1.75 million, and by 2020 it had grown to 5.7 million, representing an increase of nearly 4 million people over the past century. Minnesota’s long-term population growth reflects steady expansion driven by urbanization, migration, and economic development.
Decadal Population Change (1850–2020)
| Census Year | Population | % Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 6,077 | – |
| 1860 | 172,023 | 2,730.7% |
| 1870 | 439,706 | 155.6% |
| 1880 | 780,773 | 77.6% |
| 1890 | 1,310,283 | 67.8% |
| 1900 | 1,751,394 | 33.7% |
| 1910 | 2,075,708 | 18.5% |
| 1920 | 2,387,125 | 15.0% |
| 1930 | 2,563,953 | 7.4% |
| 1940 | 2,792,300 | 8.9% |
| 1950 | 2,982,483 | 6.8% |
| 1960 | 3,413,864 | 14.5% |
| 1970 | 3,804,971 | 11.5% |
| 1980 | 4,075,970 | 7.1% |
| 1990 | 4,375,099 | 7.3% |
| 2000 | 4,919,479 | 12.4% |
| 2010 | 5,303,925 | 7.8% |
| 2020 | 5,706,494 | 7.6% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (2020)
Minnesota Demographics (Summary)
Religion and Affiliations in Minnesota
Christianity is the dominant religion in Minnesota, followed by approximately 74% of the population. Among Christians, Protestants form the largest group at 50%, followed by Roman Catholics (22%) and Mormons (1%).
The religiously unaffiliated population accounts for 21%, representing residents who do not identify with any organized religion. Non-Christian religions are followed by about 5% of the population and include Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, and other smaller faith groups.
Source: Pew Research Center
For more details, read Religion in Minnesota.
Race and Ethnicity in Minnesota
According to the 2020 Census, White alone (non-Hispanic) residents form the largest racial or ethnic group in Minnesota, making up 76.30% of the total population. This is followed by Black or African American residents at 6.88%, while the Hispanic or Latino population accounts for 6.06%.
The Asian population represents 5.21%, and individuals identifying with two or more races make up 4.14% of Minnesota’s population.
For more details, read Race and Ethnicity in Minnesota.
Ancestry in Minnesota
Based on census studies and population estimates, the five largest ancestry groups in Minnesota are German, Norwegian, Irish, Swedish, and English, reflecting the state’s strong Northern European heritage.
Cities and Counties in Minnesota
A county is an administrative subdivision of a US state or territory. As of 2022, Minnesota is divided into 87 counties. The most populated counties in Minnesota are Hennepin and Ramsey counties. Hennepin has over one million residents, while Ramsey is home to just over 500,000 residents.
There are three cities in Minnesota with a population of more than 100,000. Minneapolis is by far the largest, with a population of 433,111. At Second place is Saint Paul (306,717) followed by Rochester (119,862).
read about cities and counties in Minnesota
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