Minnesota Counties, Demographics & Geography
Complete official guide to all 87 counties in Minnesota (MN). Explore 2024 US Census population estimates, county seats, FIPS codes, land areas, and interactive mapping tools powered by GeoMap Suite.
Minnesota County Breakdown
Showing 8 of 8 documented counties and seats.
County Name | FIPS | County Seat | Population (Census) | Land Area | Quick Tool |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hennepin County (Minneapolis) | 27053 | Minneapolis | 1,281,565 | 554 sq mi | Lookup |
| Ramsey County (St. Paul) | 27123 | Saint Paul | 552,352 | 152 sq mi | Lookup |
| Dakota County | 27037 | Hastings | 439,882 | 569 sq mi | Lookup |
| Anoka County | 27003 | Anoka | 363,887 | 423 sq mi | Lookup |
| Washington County | 27163 | Stillwater | 267,568 | 384 sq mi | Lookup |
| St. Louis County (Duluth) | 27137 | Duluth | 200,231 | 6,225 sq mi | Lookup |
| Olmsted County (Rochester) | 27109 | Rochester | 162,847 | 653 sq mi | Lookup |
| Stearns County (St. Cloud) | 27145 | St. Cloud | 158,292 | 1,345 sq mi | Lookup |
Geographic Structure of Minnesota Counties
County Administration & Governance
In Minnesota, county governments manage vital public infrastructure, tax assessments, law enforcement, judicial courts, election administration, and public records. The county seat (Minneapolis and other municipal headquarters) houses the primary courthouse, commissioners, and sheriff’s department.
All Minnesota counties carry a unique 5-digit Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) code, where the first two digits (27) designate the state and the remaining three digits identify each specific jurisdiction.
Geographic & Demographic Highlights
- Most Populous County:Hennepin County (Minneapolis) (1,281,565 residents)
- Largest by Land Area:St. Louis County (Duluth) (6,225 sq mi)
- State Capital:Saint Paul
- Census Bureau Region:Midwest United States
Demographic calculations derive from the United States Census Bureau 2024 Population Estimates Program (PEP) and TIGER/Line geographic boundary files.