Friday, Jul. 7, 2023
Is rural Minnesota’s population shrinking?
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?"
About fact briefs
Fact briefs are bite-sized, well-sourced explanations that offer clear "yes" or "no" answers to questions, confusions, and unsupported claims circulating online. They rely on publicly available data and documents, often from the original source. Fact briefs are written and published by Gigafact contributor publications.
See all fact briefs
MinnPost is an independent, nonprofit newsroom that produces thoughtful, in-depth journalism about civic and cultural affairs impacting Minnesota. Through our reporting, we take readers beyond the headlines and deep into the issues that matter through our public-service journalism, empowering them to engage in the politics and policy-making shaping Minnesota’s future.
Learn MoreLatest Fact Briefs
Do ‘sacred settlement’ tiny houses in Minnesota have a religious requirement for residents?
Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025
Is Minnesota home to the largest ice maze in the world?
Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025