Minnesota State Facts & Information

As of 2024, Minnesota's population is approximately 5.79 million, representing a 0.70% increase from 2023. Minnesota is the 22nd most populated state in the country. Between 2020 and 2024, Minnesota's population increased by 82,416 (1.44%), though this growth rate is slower than the national average.

Tim Walz serves as Minnesota's 41st governor, having assumed office in 2019 and being re-elected in 2022. A member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL), Walz is a former educator, 24-year Army National Guard veteran, and U.S. Representative (2007-2019). In 2024, he was selected as the Democratic nominee for vice president but the ticket was not elected.

In 2024, Minnesota's real GDP reached $395.3 billion, representing a 1.1% increase from 2023 and the highest GDP in the state's history. The GDP per capita is $68,237, ranking Minnesota 18th nationally. Professional and business services ($60.3B), real estate and leasing ($51.8B), and manufacturing ($46.3B) are the top three contributors to the state's economy.

Saint Paul is Minnesota's capital city, with a population of 311,527 (2020 census), making it the state's second-most populous city after Minneapolis. As of 2024, all seven city councilors are women, potentially making Saint Paul the largest city in American history with an all-female legislative body. The city features 26 miles of Mississippi River frontage, more than any other city along the river.

Minnesota's state bird is the Common Loon (adopted 1961), the state flower is the Pink and White Lady's Slipper (adopted 1902), and the state tree is the Red (Norway) Pine (adopted 1953). Other symbols include the Walleye (state fish), Honeycrisp apple (state fruit), and Wild rice (state grain). The state motto is "L'etoile du Nord" (Star of the North).

Minnesota was admitted to the Union as the 32nd state on May 11, 1858. The state name comes from the Dakota word for the Minnesota River, "mni sota," meaning "cloudy water" or "sky-tinted water." Saint Paul became the permanent capital after a legislator famously stole the text authorizing a move to Saint Peter in 1857.

Saint Paul was originally called "Pig's Eye" after fur trader Pierre Parrant. The Minnesota State Capitol has the second largest unsupported marble dome in the world, after St. Peter's in Rome. The city is home to over 4,000 acres of parks and 100 miles of trails. Scotch tape was invented at the former 3M headquarters in Saint Paul, and over 95 languages are spoken in the city's public schools.

During his second term, Governor Walz signed significant legislation including free school meals, universal gun background checks, codifying abortion rights, and free college tuition for low-income families. On May 30, 2023, he signed House File 100 to legalize recreational cannabis in Minnesota, which went into effect on August 1, 2023. He also pushed for tax modifications and infrastructure improvements.