Top 10 Fastest Growing Cities in Minnesota Right Now

Think Minnesota’s population is standing still? Think again. Some of the state’s biggest cities may be losing residents, but there are several smaller towns quietly exploding with growth. The fastest-growing city in Minnesota nearly doubled its population in just five years, and no, that's NOT a typo.

But here’s the twist - it’s not the city you’d expect.

For years, Rochester has been the one to watch. With Mayo Clinic’s $5 billion expansion underway, tens of thousands of new residents are projected to move there over the next two decades. The city’s population has already more than doubled since the 1980s, according to Yahoo News. 

Also See: The 5 Cities People Are Leaving Minnesota For

But right now? Rochester's not even close to cracking the top 10 for growth.

In fact, between 2020 and 2025, the city only added about 1,000 people. That lands Rochester way down the list at 150th fastest-growing city in Minnesota.

Meanwhile, smaller towns and suburbs are quietly stealing the spotlight. Maybe it’s the lure of bigger yards, quieter streets, or a price tag that doesn’t make you cringe.

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Were you surprised by the fastest growing city? I certainly was. For reference, some of Minnesota's biggest cities: Minneapolis actually saw a decline and lost around 8,000 residents. St. Paul also saw a significant decline losing about 12,000 people over the past 5 years. Duluth saw a slight bump and gained a couple thousand residents.

Curious to see where your city falls? Click here to see the entire list by World Population Review.

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