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FACT BRIEF

Is rural Minnesota’s population shrinking?

By Jayne Williamson-Lee
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YES

Most rural Minnesota counties have declined in population since 2010, losing an average of nearly 4%, according to a 2021 Center for Rural Policy and Development report. 

The U.S. Census Bureau defines rural as “any population, housing, or territory NOT in an urban area,” noting that most rural populations remain in the vicinity of urban areas. The Minnesota State Demographic Center has categorized counties into four categories: entirely rural; town-rural mix; urban/town/rural mix; and entirely urban. Only two of the 14 entirely rural counties — Cook and Mahnomen — experienced growth in their population since 2010 based on 2020 census data.

In contrast, 100% of Minnesota's 13 "entirely urban" counties experienced population growth.

A lack of international migration enjoyed by urban areas and higher numbers of deaths than births contributed to Minnesota's rural population decline, the 2021 report notes.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Center for Rural Policy and Development The State of Rural – 2021 Update
U.S. Census Rural America: How Does the U.S. Census Bureau Define "Rural?"
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Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.