RANK #680 / 996 · POP 1,270,787 · MN
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.1%
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.
Below national median
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 2.9x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| 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 996 counties.
Hennepin County has a Boom Town Index score of 32/100, ranking #680 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.3% and a median household income of $92,595, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Hennepin County is $358,000 with median rent at $1,373/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2586, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.0% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.3%. Home values changed +1.8% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.4% of Hennepin County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.