Region's growth strong and steady

City of Blaine posts the largest population gain

Contact: Bonnie Kollodge
651.602.1357

ST. PAUL – July 18, 2006 – The population of the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area has continued to grow, adding the equivalent of two Bloomingtons since 2000. That’s according to annual population estimates for 2005, released today by the Metropolitan Council.

The Council estimates that 2.81 million people lived in the Twin Cities area as of April 1, 2005. Population growth since 2000 totaled 168,117 people, or 6.4 percent – comparable to the pace of growth from 1990 to 1995. The increase is roughly twice the population of Bloomington, estimated at 84,347 for 2005.

The region is on course to add nearly one million people to the region between 2000 and 2030, as the Council had projected previously.

Blaine was the region’s leader in population growth in the first half of the decade, adding 9,006 residents. Minneapolis also was among the top 10 cities in population growth, continuing the pattern of growth exhibited in the 1990s.

The number of households in the region grew 7.7 percent between 2000 and 2005. Generally, demographers see the aging of the baby boom generation and longer life expectancies leading to a larger population of empty-nesters and smaller household sizes.

The region’s economy continues to be a driving force behind the trend of steady growth. The region ranks in the top 10 of the 25 largest metro areas in per capita income, in workforce participation, and in housing affordability.

“The latest population estimates show not only that the region continues to prosper, but also that our central cities are experiencing continued reinvestment and revitalization,” said Peter Bell, chair of the Council. “Much of this growth is being driven by demographics and market forces, as many aging baby boomers seek the conveniences and amenities of urban life.”

Nine of the top 10 cities in estimated population growth between 2000 and 2005 are developing suburbs. “These cities have drawn the attention of developers,” said Todd Graham, the Council’s research manager. “They have relatively large blocks of available land, and they’ve been able to provide roads, sewers and other city services in line with their community growth and land use plans.”

The region’s 10 fastest growing cities:

City	Population Added 2000-2005
Blaine	9,006
Shakopee	8,767
Lakeville	8,594
Maple Grove	8,055
Woodbury	7,628
Eden Prairie	6,054
Farmington	5,658
Prior Lake	5,478
Minneapolis	4,964
Chaska	4,864

In recent years, the Council’s estimates have shown greater regional growth overall than those of the U.S. Census Bureau. Council researchers believe that the Census’s annual model under-estimates college students and immigration to the region. Historically, estimates from the Council have been accurate when benchmarked against later decennial Census counts.

To review local population and household estimates online, please visit www.metrocouncil.org/metroarea/2005PopulationEstimates.pdf (5 pages, pdf).
Or, contact the Regional Data Center at 651.602.1140 or data.center@metc.state.mn.us.

The Metropolitan Council is the regional planning organization for the seven-county Twin Cities area. It runs the regional bus and light rail system, collects and treats wastewater, manages regional water resources, plans regional parks and administers funds that provide housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals and families. The Council is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the governor.

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