Discover the 15 Largest Cities in Minnesota

Minnesota, also known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” is a state with a rich cultural heritage and a diverse range of cities, each with its unique character and contributions to the state’s economy. In this article, we will explore different large cities in Minnesota, examining them and ranking them from three distinct perspectives: population, total land area, and economic impact. Through this exploration, readers can gain insights into the demographics, geography, and economics of these cities.

Largest Cities by Population: The People Who Make Up the Cities

To kick off our exploration of the largest cities in Minnesota, we’ll begin with a focus on population. The size and diversity of a city’s population often shape its culture, infrastructure, and civic life. Below is a table ranking the top 15 largest cities in Minnesota by population size, along with key demographic information.

Rank	City	Population (2023)	Population Density (persons/sq. mile)	Notable Demographic Trends
1	Minneapolis	429,606	7,568.7	Diverse population, increasing younger demographics.
2	St. Paul	312,091	5,348.4	Growth in minority communities and immigrant populations.
3	Rochester	120,347	2,074.2	Steady growth due to the Mayo Clinic’s presence.
4	Duluth	85,618	1,597.3	Aging population, with efforts to attract younger talent.
5	Bloomington	87,700	3,935.0	Stable population with a focus on community development.
6	Brooklyn Park	85,870	2,825.5	Rapidly growing and increasingly diverse community.
7	Plymouth	80,832	2,009.2	Suburban growth with a focus on family-friendly amenities.
8	Maple Grove	73,463	2,161.9	Sustained suburban expansion and economic development.
9	Woodbury	70,950	1,929.9	Rapid growth in response to expanding housing market.
10	St. Cloud	68,579	2,137.5	Growing immigrant population contributing to diversity.
11	Eagan	68,509	2,734.5	Increasingly diverse demographics and economic growth.
12	Eden Prairie	67,830	2,218.2	Focus on fostering a strong business and tech community.
13	Coon Rapids	62,700	2,803.9	Steady population growth driven by job opportunities.
14	Burnsville	61,201	3,433.7	Growing population with diverse cultural influences.
15	Blaine	61,099	1,456.2	Expanding suburbs with a focus on family-oriented living.

This table ranks the top 15 largest cities in Minnesota by population size, along with key demographic information.

Notable Demographic Trends

Minneapolis and St. Paul

Downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota at night time as seen from the famous stone arch bridge
©AndreyKrav/iStock via Getty Images

The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are the largest cities in Minnesota by population. They are also characterized by their vibrant and diverse populations. While Minneapolis is the more populous of the two, St. Paul boasts a rich cultural mosaic due to its growth in minority communities and immigrant populations. Both cities are also experiencing an increase in younger demographics, reflecting their appeal among millennials and Gen Z residents.

Rochester

Rochester is also home to the world-renowned Mayo Clinic. Thus, it maintains steady growth due to the healthcare institution’s presence. The city also attracts patients, medical professionals, and researchers, which contribute to its population growth.

Duluth

Duluth, a city with an aging population, has been actively working to attract and retain younger talent. Efforts also include creating a thriving arts and culture scene, recreational opportunities, and nurturing tech startups.

Brooklyn Park

Brooklyn Park is famous for for its rapid population growth and increasing diversity. The city has also welcomed a surge of residents, including many immigrants, making it a culturally rich community.

St. Cloud

St. Cloud has also experienced growth in its immigrant population, contributing to its cultural diversity. Efforts to foster inclusivity and integration have also made the city more welcoming to newcomers.

Eden Prairie

Eden Prairie also focuses on fostering a robust business and tech community. Its diverse and educated population also contributes to its economic vibrancy.

Burnsville

Burnsville’s growing population reflects the city’s diversity and the influence of various cultures. This diversity is also evident in the city’s dining options, festivals, and cultural events.

People at the Heart of the Cities

Thus, population is not just a statistic; it represents the people who call these cities home. The diversity, age dynamics, and cultural influences in Minnesota’s largest cities also shape their identities. It is important to recognize that the people who reside in these urban centers are at the heart of their growth and development.

Largest Cities by Total Area: Geography and Natural Attractions

The land area of a city often influences its geography, climate, and natural attractions. In this section, we will explore the top 15 largest cities in Minnesota by total land area, delving into their geographic features, climate, and any notable natural attractions.

Rank	City	Total Land Area (sq. miles)	Geographic Features	Notable Natural Attractions
1	St. Louis Park	10.9	Suburban.	Cedar Lake, Wolfe Park, and biking trails.
2	Maple Grove	35.0	Suburban.	Elm Creek Park Reserve and Fish Lake.
3	Woodbury	35.7	Suburban.	Tamarack Nature Preserve and Colby Lake.
4	Blaine	34.4	Expanding suburbs with ample green spaces.	Bunker Hills Regional Park and Lakes.
5	Plymouth	35.8	Suburban.	Medicine Lake, Plymouth Creek Park.
6	Brooklyn Park	26.6	Expanding suburb with lakes and parks.	Palmer Lake Park and Shingle Creek Regional Trail.
7	Eagan	32.9	Suburban.	Lebanon Hills Regional Park and Caponi Art Park.
8	Eden Prairie	32.5	Suburban.	Purgatory Creek Park and Bryant Lake Regional Park.
9	Coon Rapids	23.1	Close to the Mississippi River.	Mississippi River Trail and Sand Creek Park.
10	Lakeville	36.1	Expanding suburbs with lakes and farmland.	Lake Marion and Ritter Farm Park.
11	Burnsville	24.9	Suburban.	Buck Hill Ski Area and Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve.
12	Minnetonka	26.0	Suburban.	Lake Minnetonka and Minnewashta Regional Park.
13	Apple Valley	16.9	Suburban.	Lebanon Hills Regional Park and Alimagnet Lake.
14	St. Cloud	40.0	Close to Mississippi River.	Beaver Islands and River’s Edge Park.
15	St. Paul	52.0	Capital city with numerous parks and the Mississippi River.	Como Park and Hidden Falls Regional Park.

This table ranks the top 15 largest cities in Minnesota by total land area, delving into their geographic features and any notable natural attractions.

Notable Natural Attractions

St. Louis Park

St. Louis Park, despite its suburban character, has urban oases like Cedar Lake and Wolfe Park. Thus, it provides green spaces for residents. The city’s park system and biking trails also contribute to its recreational appeal.

Maple Grove

Maple Grove’s expansive land area has numerous lakes and green spaces, including Elm Creek Park Reserve and Fish Lake. The city is also known for its commitment to preserving natural areas.

Woodbury

Woodbury has suburban living with access to natural beauty. Tamarack Nature Preserve and Colby Lake also provide opportunities for outdoor exploration.

Blaine

Blaine’s growing suburbs have ample green spaces, including Bunker Hills Regional Park and lakes. The city’s commitment to recreation and nature is also evident in its practices.

Plymouth

Plymouth’s suburban landscape includes Medicine Lake and Plymouth Creek Park. The presence of these also enhance the quality of life for residents. The city’s commitment to green spaces is also a notable feature.

Brooklyn Park

Brooklyn Park’s expanding suburbs offer residents access to Palmer Lake Park and the Shingle Creek Regional Trail. These also provide recreational opportunities in a natural setting.

Eagan

Eagan is a part of the Twin Cities metro area. It is also known for Lebanon Hills Regional Park and Caponi Art Park. These spaces offer a blend of natural beauty and cultural experiences.

Eden Prairie

Eden Prairie’s suburban charm is also enhanced by Purgatory Creek Park and Bryant Lake Regional Park. These spaces have lots of lakeside leisure and outdoor activities.

Coon Rapids

Coon Rapids, with its proximity to the Mississippi River, also offers opportunities for those who enjoy the outdoors along the Mississippi River Trail and at Sand Creek Park.

Lakeville

Lakeville’s expanding suburbs have spaces like Lake Marion and Ritter Farm Park. These spaces also provide natural escapes for residents amidst the city’s growth.

Burnsville

Burnsville’s neighborhood includes Buck Hill Ski Area and Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve. These spaces offer not only outdoor recreation but also have natural retreats.

Minnetonka

Minnetonka is famous for Lake Minnetonka and Minnewashta Regional Park. Thus, this makes it a haven for water lovers as well as lovers of lakeside living.

Apple Valley

Apple Valley, with its parks and green spaces like Lebanon Hills Regional Park and Alimagnet Lake, has several natural escapes within a suburban environment.

St. Cloud

St. Cloud, located along the Mississippi River, has access to the Beaver Islands and River’s Edge Park, offering scenic riverfront experiences.

St. Paul

St. Paul, as Minnesota’s capital, also has numerous parks, including Como Park and Hidden Falls Regional Park, within its urban landscape. All of this also adds to the city’s charm.

Natural Beauty and Urban Life

Thus, the land area of Minnesota’s largest cities represents a diverse range of geographic features, from lakes and parks to riverfront access. These natural attractions not only enhance the quality of life for residents but also contribute to the unique character of each city.

Largest Cities by Economic Impact: Engines of Prosperity

Economic vitality is a crucial aspect of a city’s growth and development.

Rank	City	Key Industries	Major Employers
1	Minneapolis	Finance, healthcare, technology, manufacturing.	UnitedHealth Group, Target, 3M, Wells Fargo.
2	St. Paul	Healthcare, education, government, manufacturing.	State of Minnesota, 3M, University of Minnesota.
3	Rochester	Healthcare, technology, hospitality.	Mayo Clinic, IBM, Charter Communications.
4	Bloomington	Hospitality, retail, healthcare, technology.	Mall of America, HealthPartners, Donaldson Company.
5	Plymouth	Manufacturing, healthcare, retail.	The Mosaic Company, Allina Health, Proto Labs.
6	Woodbury	Healthcare, education, retail.	Woodwinds Health Campus, Globe University.
7	Brooklyn Park	Manufacturing, healthcare, technology.	Boston Scientific, Medtronic, Caribou Coffee.
8	Maple Grove	Retail, manufacturing, healthcare.	Walmart, Boston Scientific, Upsher-Smith.
9	St. Cloud	Healthcare, manufacturing, education.	CentraCare Health, Electrolux, St. Cloud State Univ.
10	Eagan	Technology, healthcare, manufacturing.	Thomson Reuters, Blue Cross Blue Shield, UPS.
11	Eden Prairie	Technology, healthcare, manufacturing.	Optum, C.H. Robinson, Starkey Hearing Technologies.
12	Coon Rapids	Healthcare, manufacturing, education.	Mercy Hospital, Pentair, Anoka-Ramsey Community Coll.
13	Burnsville	Manufacturing, retail, technology.	UTC Aerospace Systems, Northern Tool + Equipment.
14	Minnetonka	Healthcare, technology, manufacturing.	UnitedHealth Group, Cargill, Honeywell.
15	Lakeville	Manufacturing, technology, agriculture.	Post Consumer Brands, Advanced Wireless Solutions.

This table ranks the top 15 largest cities in Minnesota by economic output, examining their key industries, major employers, and economic trends

Notable Economic Trends

Minneapolis

Minneapolis, as the largest city in Minnesota, has a diverse economy with strengths in finance, healthcare, technology, and manufacturing. The city also continues to see growth in its tech sector and emphasizes economic diversification.

St. Paul

St. Paul’s economic focus also centers on healthcare, education, government, and manufacturing. Major employers include the State of Minnesota and the University of Minnesota, contributing to the city’s economic stability.