St. Paul
RANK #340 / 996 NAT · #8 / 18 MN · POP 547,202
1YR FORECAST: +1.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +28%
Ramsey County, Minnesota, distinguished by its role as home to Saint Paul, the state capital, offers a blend of urban amenities and natural spaces. It is the smallest and most densely populated county in Minnesota, yet it maintains over 6,000 acres of parkland and 92 miles of trails for various outdoor activities. The Mississippi River flows through Saint Paul, providing scenic views and recreational opportunities. Commuting throughout the county and to nearby Minneapolis is facilitated by major interstates like I-94, I-35E, and I-694, along with a public transit system that includes bus rapid transit and light rail options.
Life in Ramsey County caters to a diverse population, including families and young professionals. The county's public school system includes 287 schools. Recent economic developments focus on equitable redevelopment, with investments in affordable housing, job creation, and workforce development, particularly along major commercial corridors. Projects like the Saint Paul RiversEdge aim to revitalize the riverfront with mixed-use spaces, including residential housing and a nine-acre urban park, intending to attract long-term residents and boost the local economy.
Above national median
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.5x — home prices are low 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 →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 66/100, Ramsey County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $78,108 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in MN.
Housing in Ramsey County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $289,300 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.27, with rents averaging $1,214/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Ramsey County are both close to flat — population -0.4% YoY and jobs +0.2%. Home values shifted +1.4% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
In significant numbers — 5.19% of Ramsey 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.