Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington is a metro area built around the Mississippi, Minnesota, and St. Croix rivers, and is commonly referred to as the Twin Cities. It is referred to as the Twin Cities because Minneapolis, the largest city in Minnesota, and St. Paul, the State's capitol, are both located within this Metro Area.

The greater Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area is the largest metro area in Minnesota, and approximately 57% of the State's population lives there. The area is a economic powerhouse with the most Fortune 500 companies per capita than any other city in America, and is considered by Forbes magazine to be one of the best places for business and careers.

Total Population: 3,524,583

(An increase of 5.25 % in the past 5 years.)

Census Data

• Foreign Born - 306,683
• Language Spoken at Home - 393,435

Quick Facts

• Over half of Minnesota state's total population live within the greater metro area.


• Fifteen Fortune 500 companies are located in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region.


• Minneapolis is currently ranked the most literate city in the United States.


• The Minneapolis Skyway is the longest continuous skyway system in the world, spanning 69 downtown blocks.


• The Twin Cities have one of the lowest unemployment rates among major metropolitan areas in the country.


• Minneapolis-St. Paul has the largest Hmong population in the world outside of Laos.


• Minneapolis-St. Paul is home to the largest Somali community outside of Africa, and is the number one destination for Somali refugees in the United States.


• Approximately one third of the Somali population in North America reside in Minneapolis.


• The greater Minneapolis-St. Paul area has the largest Ethiopian population, as well as the second largest Kenyan population in America.