Long-Range Forecasts
How the region's population, households, and jobs will change by 2050
Metropolitan Council develops forecasts of when, where and how much population, household, and job growth the region and its jurisdictions can expect. The 30-year regional forecast is updated every two years.
Regional forecast
The regional forecast looks at the seven-county region’s position within the larger national economy. Our region's business conditions and competitive advantages determine economic and employment levels, which in turn drive population growth by attracting people to the Twin Cities.
Note: The 2021 update to the regional forecast does not include households, only population and jobs. A forecast of households will be published in April 2023.
Local forecasts
Once the regional forecast is complete, additional land use modeling locates future population, households, and jobs to specific jurisdictions within the region. The model looks at how demographics, regional policies, and available land affect real estate supply and demand.
Modeling only takes our forecasts so far, however. We work with local governments and planners to incorporate their on-the-ground knowledge about local development to adjust our results.