Move to Minnesota

A great place to start your Minnesota job hunt is CareerForce. You can also search for a job on LinkedIn, Indeed, or, for public sector positions, DEED.

Population: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Minnesota has a population of over 5.7 million people, 3.7 million of whom reside in the seven-county Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area.

Ethnicity: The state is home to a mix of ethnicities, with a significant proportion of residents being of European, African American, Asian, and Hispanic descent.

Age Distribution: Minnesota has a relatively balanced age distribution, with 22% of residents being under the age of 18 and 17% being over the age of 65.

Education: Minnesota places a strong emphasis on education. Minnesota ranks second in the nation in the percentage of its population (aged 25 to 64) with an associate degree or higher. In the 25 to 44 age group, 54 percent have an associate degree or higher.

Income: The median household income (HHI) in Minnesota is just over $84,000 a year. In the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, the median HHI is $94,000 a year.

Minnesota has a diverse mix of housing options and one of the highest rates of homeownership in the United States, with over 73% of residents living in a home that they own. Median housing costs with a mortgage are about $1,800 a month, and median rent is about $1,178 a month. Costs can vary depending on location, with the Minneapolis-St.Paul metro area generally more expensive than the state as a whole.

Minnesota is a four-season state with winters similar to other northern metro areas, like Chicago, Illinois, and Madison, Wisconsin. Average winter highs range from 24 to 29 degrees, and Minnesota has one of the nation’s most efficient plowing systems to keep the winter roads safe. The winters here may be cold, but Minnesotans also know how to embrace them, reveling in winter sports like ice skating and skiing. Frozen lakes become playgrounds for ice fishing enthusiasts, and winter festivals, including the enchanting Saint Paul Winter Carnival, add joy to the season.

The Minnesota mantra? There is no bad weather, only bad clothing! 
 

Minnesota combines big-city amenities and breathtaking natural beauty. Minneapolis-St. Paul is nationally known for its arts and culture, food, and bike-friendly infrastructure. Year-round outdoor activities range from water sports to Nordic skiing. With the iconic Mall of America (and other tax-free shopping hotspots), celebratory winter festivities, and the second-largest (and best, if we do say so ourselves) State Fair in the nation, Minnesotans embrace a lifestyle that blends city living and appreciation for the outdoors. See top things to do and start checking off your Minnesota bucket list.

Minnesota prides itself on having a strong arts and culture community, with the third-highest per-capita arts funding nationwide. The Minnesota arts community is vast, and Minneapolis alone hosts three major museums, including the Minneapolis Institute of Arts (free admission), internationally recognized Walker Art Center (free Thursday evenings), and Frank Gehry-designed Weisman Art Center.

The theater scene is nationally recognized as well, and three Minnesota theaters have won the prestigious TONY Award for regional theater. Minnesota is also known for its music scene – home of Bob Dylan, Prince, and the famous rock venue First Avenue, as well two world-class classical music organizations, the Minnesota Orchestra and Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.

Think way bigger than hot dish. Minnesota’s culinary landscape spans from James Beard winners like Young Joni, Owamni, and Restaurant Alma to global cuisine from Scandinavian to Hmong, and yes, the iconic Jucy Lucy burger. With a nationally-recognized craft beer scene and strong focus on local, sustainable farmers, there’s a reason Food & Wine magazine said there were “more best bites in the Twin Cities than anywhere else our restaurant editor ate this year.”

The cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul have strong public transportation through Metro Transit, but most residents choose to use and maintain their own vehicle. About 6.5% of the population reports not having a car. Minneapolis is ranked as one of the strongest cities for biking in the U.S., and many residents choose to bike to and from work, even in the winter months.

There are tons of hospitals and clinics to choose from across the state. Some of the biggest players are the University of Minnesota Fairview system, Abbott Northwestern, North Memorial Health, HealthPartners & Park Nicollet, Hennepin Healthcare, and Allina Health. The Minnesota Hospital Association has this handy map of statewide hospital locations while Bridge to Benefits hosts a low-cost healthcare directory for physical, mental, and dental needs. There are also a number of community clinics like Minnesota Community Care and the Native American Community Clinic that offer care in underserved areas. 

Minnesota is ranked as the #3 state for families, offering a strong public education system, access to top-notch healthcare, affordable pathways to homeownership, and abundant outdoor activities. Families can explore the Minnesota Zoo (the third largest zoo in the U.S.), the Science Museum of Minnesota, the Minnesota Children’s Museum, and endless parks and playgrounds – including those that are specifically accessible.

Minnesota also places a high focus on cultural enrichment: the Children’s Theatre Company of Minneapolis is the only children’s theater in the nation to win a TONY award, the Minnesota Orchestra offers free classical concerts to all kids under 18.  

Yes, Minnesota is widely considered a beautiful state, characterized by its stunning natural scenery. With four distinct seasons, Minnesotans experience colorful fall foliage, snowy winters, and warm, pleasant summers. Highlights of Minnesota’s outdoor landscapes include the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, the North Shore of Lake Superior, Voyageurs National Park, and the Mississippi River Valley. Minneapolis and St. Paul also contribute to the state's beauty with their distinct architectural landmarks and the #2 and #3 rated parks systems in the United States.

Yes, Minnesota has professional sports teams in every major league, including the Minnesota Vikings (NFL), Minnesota Twins (MLB), Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA), Minnesota Lynx (WNBA), Minnesota Wild (NHL), Minnesota United FC (MLS), and PWHL Minnesota (PWHL).