Rankings & Fast Facts

  • More than 89% of all Minnesotans have a high-school diploma.

  • Minneapolis was ranked the 6th most educated city in the country by Encarta online.

  • In 2004, the three-year-average median income for the state of Minnesota was $55,914, 5th in the nation, and 20% higher than the national average.

  • The seven counties of the metropolitan area are home to nearly 20 Fortune 500 companies.

  • Median average wage in the metro area is $17.49, in the third quarter of 2005.

  • Minneapolis/St. Paul ranks 18th among Forbes list of best places to do business.

  • In 2005, Minneapolis/St.Paul was named the 14th in Site Selection’s ranking for new corporate facilities and expansions.

  • Minnesota has the nation’s lowest percentage of people without health insurance, and the second lowest percentage of people living below the poverty line.

  • Nearly 77% of Minnesotans own their home.

  • Minnesota was the third largest exporter of soybeans and related products and the fourth largest exporter of feed grains and related products.

  • Child magazine ranked Minneapolis/St.Paul the third-best metro area for raising kids.

  • Minnesota was named the 6th smartest state by Morgan Qunito press, 2005-2006

  • Minneapolis was ranked the top city for technology in 2005 by Popular Science Magazine

  • The Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport was deemed the best in the country for “road warriors” by CNN Money.

  • Minneapolis/St. Paul ranked 18th on Forbes magazine’s 2005 list of “Best Places to Jump-Start a Business or Career

  • Named the “Most Athletic City” by Men’s Fitness Magazine in 2005

  • The Minneapolis Institute of Arts is the United States’ 10th best art museum, declared by MSN & Citysearch in 2005

  • The Environmental Protection Agency named downtown Minneapolis as “Best Workplace for Commuters”

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Met Council, DEED, Minneapolis.org

INVENTED IN MINNESOTA

  • Bisquick
  • Rollerblades
  • Post-it Notes
  • Dairy Queen Blizzards
  • Polaris Snowmobiles
  • Tonka Trucks
  • Scotch Tape
  • Wheaties Cereal
  • Betty Crocker

Source: You Are Here, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MSP Communications.