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THF. CHANGING FACE OS~ MINNESOTA Trends Shaping Our State The information in this article is based on a presentation from the fall Regional Meetings. The demographic data/charts are from the Office of State Demographer, unless otherwise noted. The League would like to thank the demographer's office for assistance in preparing this article. By Eric Willette innesota is a successful, dynamic state.Yet long-term demographic trends are changing the face of Minnesota, challenging our economic competitiveness and creating new demands for public services. Responses to these trends by all levels of government will affect how successful Minnesota is in the future. Population changes Minnesota's continuing growth sets it apart from its neighbors and almost all other cold-weather states. Most of the growth has been in suburban and exur- ban counties around the Twin Cities donut and in the high-amenity lakes areas in North Central Minnesota.The western part of the state has seen the slowest growth or population declines. These population trends do not stop at the Minnesota border, but continue into surrounding states (see Map 1). The state demographer projects that Minnesota will continue to grow by another one million people in the next 25 years.Three-fourths of this growth will occur in what the demographer terms the "Metroplex" running from St. Cloud to Rochester. But all regions of the state are expected to have some growth (see Map 2). If the projections hold true, the share of the state's popula- tion that is contained by the Metroplex will not increase significantly between now and 2030. In 2005, the Metroplex's share was 68 percent and projections show it at 69 percent in 2030. Aging Aging is the dominant demographic trend in Minnesota and the nation.The leading edge of the Baby Boom gen- eration began turning 60 years old this year. Over the next 25 years the num- ber of Minnesotans over age 65 will more than double from 620,230 to 1,290,610.A11 regions will experience increases in residents over 65, with the lowest rate of change in the Southwest and the highest rate of change in the Population Trends (2000-2004) 100 ,000 reau eslimale The metro doughnut is growing ' ~' gee loss Metroplex. Only the Central Lakes and Metroplex regions will see significant increases in the number of residents younger than 65 (see Map 3). In the South and Southwest regions, the only growth will be among residents over age 65. All other age groups will see a decline in population. I~ EC EMk3 F.R ZOOG 4 [VIINNES O'I~A Cli'IES