> News+Events > News Releases

Region's growth strong and steady

City of Shakopee posts the largest population gain in 2000-2006

Contact: Bonnie Kollodge
651.602.1357

ST. PAUL – July 18, 2007 – The population of the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area has continued to grow at a steady rate. That’s according to annual population estimates for 2006 released today by the Metropolitan Council.

The Council estimates that 2.82 million people lived in the Twin Cities area as of April 1, 2006. Population growth since 2000 totaled 180,000 people, or 6.8 percent.

Economic stability continues to be a factor in attracting new residents. The Twin Cities ranks in the top 10 among major metro areas in per capita income, workforce participation, and housing affordability. The region remains on course to add nearly one million people between 2000 and 2030.

Meanwhile, the number of households in the region grew 8.6 percent between 2000 and 2006, higher than the population growth. “The two-point difference between household and population growth is a demographic effect,” said Research Manager Todd Graham.  “Longer life expectancies and the aging of baby-boomers are leading to smaller household sizes and a larger empty-nest population.” 

“The demographics are prompting the housing market to offer a mix of housing costs and types,” said Peter Bell, Council Chair. “We’re seeing that reflected in planning by the central cities and first-ring suburbs.”

Still, nine of the 10 cities experiencing the most growth between 2000 and 2006 are developing suburbs. “Developing suburbs have relatively large blocks of available land, and they’ve been able to provide infrastructure and services that enable growth,” said Graham.

Shakopee was the region’s growth leader in the first six years of the decade, adding 10,403 residents. Rosemount is new to this year’s top-10 list. Minneapolis’ population growth of 5,223 reflects substantial central city housing development.

POPULATION ADDED
City	2000-2006
Shakopee	10,403
Blaine	9,913
Lakeville	9,195
Woodbury	8,932
Maple Grove	8,126
Eden Prairie	6,424
Prior Lake	5,625
Chaska	5,613
Rosemount	5,588
Minneapolis	5,223

In recent years, the Council’s estimates have shown greater regional growth overall than those of the U.S. Census Bureau. The Council and Census Bureau use different methodologies and data sets. Council estimates are based on housing gains and losses and are more likely to accurately reflect local changes. Historically, estimates from the Council have been more accurate when benchmarked against later decennial Census counts.

To review local population and household estimates on line, please visit “population and household estimates by community” at www.metrocouncil.org/metroarea/stats.htm.  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.