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Minnesota

Minnesota

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Demographics

Predominantly WhiteSimpson's Diversity Index: 40
Population5,713,716
Foreign Born3.6%
Population Density72people per mi²
Median Age38.6 yrs
Demographics Trajectory
ChangingSince 2000, this state has seen significant changes in racial and ethnic composition in a short time.
Current Race / Ethnicity Breakdown
Population Trends

Quality of Life

Overall Quality Of Life
C+
Average

A livable area that tracks near national norms for affordability, walkability, and neighborhood health.

Quality of Life measures an area by evaluating factors like cost of living, nearby amenities, country club access, airport proximity, socioeconomic signals and neighborhood character. For large states, this is a general average — quality of life can vary dramatically between metro areas, suburbs, and rural communities within the same state.

Cost of Living

107/100

7% above national average

A
Affordability Ratio

100%

The Real Cost of Living in Minnesota

TierIndividualFamily (4)
Survival $20k$37k
Comfortable $59k$87k
Luxury $155k+$240k+
Elite (Top 5%) $182k+$283k+

Economics

Overall Economy Grade
B
Good

Solid upper-middle-class performance. The area runs slightly ahead of national economic benchmarks.

Median HHI
$88k+3.8%
17% above US avg
Avg Net Worth
$626k
5% below US avg
WFH
15.8%
10% above US avg
Homeownership
72.4%
11% above US avg
Median Home
$306k
8% above US avg
Avg HH Debt
$20k
11% above US avg
Poverty Rate
9.2%
20% below US avg
Public Assistance
8.8%
25% below US avg
Unemployment
3.9%
5% above US avg
Median Rent
$1k
6% above US avg

Crime

Overall Crime Grade
B
Safe

Generally safer than 62% of comparable U.S. locations.

Crime Rate
16.4
Incidents per 1,000 residents
5yr Trend
−29.8%
Overall crime change since 2020

Violent Crime

5yr−28.2%
Homicide
0.02 / 1k Residents65% below US avg
Robbery
0.35 / 1k Residents47% below US avg
Aggravated Assault
1.49 / 1k Residents45% below US avg

Property Crime

5yr−31.4%
Burglary
1.60 / 1k Residents41% below US avg
Larceny-Theft
10.85 / 1k Residents23% below US avg
Motor Vehicle Theft
1.65 / 1k Residents42% below US avg
Source: FBI Crime Data · 2025

Political Climate

Cook PVI: D+3Tilts Liberal
State Legislature of Minnesota
Minnesota Senate34D · 33R
Minnesota House67D · 67R
Presidential Voting Trends for Minnesota
Dem Rep
40%50%60%2000200420082012201620202024

Personal Sovereignty

Personal Sovereignty measures your capacity for self-reliance and independence with minimal government friction. Higher scores mean fewer barriers between you and the way you want to live... but it assumes you have the space you need and good neighbors.

Overall Sovereignty Grade
B-
Self-Reliant

Viable for self-reliance. Generally workable, though some barriers may limit total independence.

State Policy

Tax Burden
D-
Poor12.1% of income
Property Rights
C+
FairIJ Grade C+
Firearm Rights
C+
FairFPC Grade C+
Homeschooling
D-
PoorHigh regulation

Energy independence: Importer (20% of energy produced in-state)

Personal Liberty

Raw Milk
A-
OpenFarm sales legal
Gambling Laws
D+
RestrictedTribal · Poker · Betting
Marijuana Laws
A+
Fully LegalRecreational

Homesteading

Growing Season160 daysstatewide average
Annual Rainfall31.5"statewide average
Elevation1,219 ftstatewide average

Strategic Assessment

Strategic Assessment grades tactical survivability using Joel Skousen's Strategic Relocation framework. Major population centers, blast zones, natural disasters, and border exposure all drive risk — lower exposure means a more defensible position in a crisis.

Learn more about Strategic Relocation ($)
Overall Strategic Grade
B
Defensible

Workable tactical position. Some exposure to population density or targets, but generally defensible in a crisis.

Best Places to Live

Cities

Largest Cities in Minnesota

* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-18T23:10:30.000Z

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