RANK #654 / 1001 NAT · #11 / 18 MN · POP 1,269,496
1YR FORECAST: +0.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +26%
Hennepin County, Minnesota, is defined by the city of Minneapolis and its surrounding communities, offering a blend of urban amenities and natural spaces. The county is home to the Chain of Lakes, a series of interconnected lakes within Minneapolis that provide opportunities for recreation like kayaking, cycling, and walking. Commuting within the county and to downtown Minneapolis is facilitated by Metro Transit, which operates buses, light rail, and commuter trains. The community feel varies from the bustling city center to quieter suburban towns such as Eden Prairie and Minnetonka.
Life in Hennepin County offers access to highly rated public schools and a range of outdoor activities, including numerous parks and trails. The economy is diverse, with major institutions like the University of Minnesota contributing to the job market. Recent economic developments include significant county investment in transit-oriented community projects and programs supporting small businesses. These initiatives aim to foster inclusive economic growth and enhance livability for residents across the county.
Hennepin County is one of 110 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +2.1% matches the profile's typical +2.4%.
See all 110 Educated Suburban Growth counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.9x 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Sherco Energy Hub Battery Storage Expansion
Xcel Energy
|
$400M | Proposed |
|
METRO Blue Line Light Rail Extension
Hennepin County
|
$374M | Under Construction |
|
Xcel Energy Distributed Battery Storage Network (Capacity*Connect)
Xcel Energy
|
$280M | Proposed |
|
Hennepin County Capital Improvement Program (Roads, Bridges, Trails, Bus Rapid Transit, Facilities)
Hennepin County
|
$227M | Planned |
|
MinnPACE Energy Improvement Loans (Portfolio of 126 projects)
MinnPACE (Hennepin County)
|
$117M | Operating |
|
Oppidan MN Data Center
Oppidan
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 34/100, Hennepin County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $97,653 suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Hennepin County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $392,900 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.25 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,487/month on average.
Population and employment in Hennepin County are both close to flat — population +0.1% YoY and jobs 0.0%. Home values shifted +2.1% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.31% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Hennepin County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.