RANK #601 / 1001 NAT · #10 / 18 MN · POP 542,945
1YR FORECAST: -0.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +27%
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.
Ramsey County is one of 110 U.S. counties in this market profile — near the profile average on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +1.9% runs below 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 6.6x 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 →
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Ramsey County scores 40/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#601). Median household income is $81,568 and job growth is running at +2.0%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Ramsey County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $326,600 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 $1,329/month on average.
Employers in Ramsey County are hiring — job growth of +2.0% — but the population is close to flat (-0.3% YoY). Home values moved +1.9% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 5.0% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Ramsey County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.