Suburban counties continue to grow

Population growth by county
Suburban county population grew slightly between 2006 and 2007.
Graphic by Betsy Cole

Population estimates released today by the U.S. Census Bureau show that Minnesota's suburban counties continued to grow faster than the rest of the state in 2007, but not at the same breakneck speed of earlier decades.

Scott County gained 3,749 new residents, but its rate of growth slowed by more than half since 2002 when it was ranked the nation's eighth fastest growing county.

For the second year in a row, Hennepin County added residents, and Ramsey showed growth after five years of decline.

Overall the state grew slightly, adding 43,035 new residents for an estimated population of 5,197,621.

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However, more than 38 of Minnesota's 87 counties lost population.

Rural Lake of the Woods and Kittson counties lost the largest percentage of their population, losing 2.9 percent and 2.2 percent respectively.

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Minnesota Public Radio new researcher Betsy Cole contributed to this story.