Blaine
RANK #470 / 996 NAT · #13 / 18 MN · POP 363,985
1YR FORECAST: +1.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +24%
Anoka, Minnesota, the county seat of Anoka County, is known as the "Halloween Capital of the World" due to its long-standing tradition of elaborate celebrations dating back to 1920. Anoka County is located in the northern part of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area, approximately 20 miles north of downtown Minneapolis. The Rum River, a popular spot for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing, flows through the county and joins the Mississippi River in the city of Anoka. Commuting to Minneapolis is facilitated by the Northstar Commuter Rail, which has four stations within Anoka County, and various bus services. The county offers a mix of suburban and rural environments with over 11,500 acres of parks and trails.
Anoka County offers a quality of life that attracts families and young professionals, with many residents owning their homes. The public schools, including the large Anoka-Hennepin School District, are generally rated above average. The county's economy is experiencing steady growth, with industrial reinvestment and expanding commercial districts in towns like Coon Rapids and Blaine. Manufacturing and health services have seen strong job gains, and the county has a lower unemployment rate than the state average. Recent developments include the expansion of Green Bay Packaging in Coon Rapids and new housing projects in the city of Anoka.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 7.0x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Emergency Communications Center
Anoka County
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Government Center Parking Ramp Replacement
Anoka County
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Jail Replacement
Anoka County
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Rice Creek Compost Site Expansion
Anoka County Recycling & Resource Solutions (R&RS)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Blaine's 105th Ave Entertainment District Transformation
City of Blaine
|
$50M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Anoka County scores 52/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#470). Median household income is $95,782 and job growth is running at +0.6%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Anoka County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $302,300 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.32, with rents averaging $1,356/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Anoka County's population is growing — up +0.9% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.6%). Home values shifted +2.2% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
In significant numbers — 5.34% of Anoka County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.