The Metropolitan Council has released preliminary estimates of population and households as of April 1, 2014. Local officials can review and comment on the estimates by June 24. The Council is required to certify the estimates by July 15.
According to the preliminary estimates, the seven-county region’s population grew to 2,977,455, a 4.5% increase since 2010. The number of households grew by 47,282 and the number of housing units by 34,982, resulting in higher occupancy rates and lower vacancy rates.
Population, households & housing units
|
|
Census
April 1, 2010
|
Preliminary estimate
April 1, 2014
|
Change, 2010-2014
|
Percent change, 2010-2014
|
Population
|
2,849,567 |
2,977,445 |
127,878 |
4.5% |
Households
|
1,117,749 |
1,165,031 |
47,282 |
4.2% |
Housing units
|
1,186,986 |
1,221,878 |
34,982 |
2.9% |
Preliminary estimates show that growth is occurring in all parts of the region. Urban communities are growing because of new multi-family developments, such as apartments and condominiums, while suburban communities are more likely to be growing because of new single-family homes and townhomes. Two communities with the highest rate of growth, Wayzata and Lilydale, grew primarily because of new senior living communities.
Communities with the most population growth
|
|
2010 population
|
2014 population (preliminary estimate)
|
Growth, 2010 to 2014
|
Percentage growth, 2010 to 2014
|
|
Minneapolis
|
382,578
|
411,286
|
28,708
|
7.5%
|
|
Saint Paul
|
285,068
|
299,641
|
14,573
|
5.1%
|
|
Blaine
|
57,186
|
62,066
|
4,880
|
8.5%
|
|
Woodbury
|
61,961
|
66,119
|
4,158
|
6.7%
|
|
Lakeville
|
55,954
|
59,361
|
3,407
|
6.1%
|
|
Plymouth
|
70,576
|
73,633
|
3,057
|
4.3%
|
|
Bloomington
|
82,893
|
85,827
|
2,934
|
3.5%
|
|
Maple Grove
|
61,567
|
64,448
|
2,881
|
4.7%
|
|
St. Louis Park
|
45,250
|
47,933
|
2,683
|
5.9%
|
|
Eagan
|
64,206 |
66,810 |
2,604 |
4.1% |
The Metropolitan Council is required by state statute to annually prepare population and household estimates. The estimates are used by the state to calculate state aid to local units of government, including the distribution of aid for local streets and the calculation of levy limits for cities and counties.
The Metropolitan Council is the regional planning organization for the seven-county Twin Cities area. It runs the regional bus and light rail system and Northstar Commuter rail. The Council 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.