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About the Annual Estimates

Annual Population and Household Estimates

Metropolitan Council prepares local population and households estimates for the Twin Cities seven-county area. These estimates are the official population and household estimates for State government purposes. most notably, the estimates are used to determine local government aid (LGA) and local street aid allocations.

The Council was first designated to prepare annual estimates in 1971. A new statute in June 2005 provides the timeline for estimates delivery and local government review:

• The Council is expected to convey preliminary estimates by June 1 each year.
• A governing body may challenge an estimate made under this section by filing its specific objections in writing with the Metropolitan Council by June 24.
• The Metropolitan Council shall certify the estimates of population and the average household size… by July 15 each year, including any estimates still under objection." (Minn. Stats., revised June 2005, section 473.24)

Between June 1 and July 15 each year, Council staff and local governments have an opportunity to discuss data and methodological issues and work toward final estimates. The Council's annual estimates methodology is available for review.

Annual Employment Counts

Employment by industry and worksite location are compiled through the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW). All employer establishments covered under the Unemployment Insurance System are required to report employment and payroll to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The data represents a near-complete census of jobs (97 percent statewide), excluding proprietors, other self-employed people, and some other workers.

DEED publishes quarterly statistics at the community level, subject to data disclosure requirements. Revisions are made to the data after it is initially published. The most current data available are on the DEED website.

Metropolitan Council has estimated the employment in those cities for which data is not published.

Other employment data sources differ from the QCEW data in their collection methods, geographic detail, and scope of coverage. More details on data source differences can be found on the DEED website.

Comparable QCEW data for other states is available from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics

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