The Twin Cities are Minneapolis and Saint Paul, the two largest cities in Minnesota. They are called the Twin Cities because they are right next to each other, with Minneapolis on the west side of the Mississippi River and Saint Paul on the east side. Here is some key information about the Twin Cities:
Minneapolis
Minneapolis is the larger of the two Twin Cities, with a population of around 422,000 people. It is the county seat of Hennepin County and is known for its arts, entertainment, sports, and shopping scenes. Some key facts about Minneapolis:
- Founded in 1867
- Home to the Minnesota Twins MLB team and Minnesota Vikings NFL team
- Known as the “City of Lakes” with 22 lakes within city limits
- Home to the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis Institute of Art, First Avenue music venue, and other cultural attractions
- Hosted the Super Bowl in 2018 and the NCAA Final Four in 2019
Saint Paul
Saint Paul is the capital of Minnesota and the second largest city in the state with around 307,000 residents. It is the county seat of Ramsey County. Some key facts about Saint Paul:
- Founded in 1849
- Known as the “Last City of the East” due to its location near the head of navigation on the Mississippi River
- Home to the Minnesota Wild NHL team and Saint Paul Saints minor league baseball team
- Known for its Victorian and Edwardian architecture in neighborhoods like Summit Hill
- Home to the Cathedral of St. Paul, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, and other attractions
How the Twin Cities Formed
Minneapolis and Saint Paul started as two separate cities on opposite sides of the Mississippi River. Minneapolis grew quickly as a logging and flour milling center in the 1860s and 1870s. Saint Paul grew more slowly as an important steamboat port. Railroad connections in the late 1800s increased growth and industry in both cities.
Over time, Minneapolis surpassed Saint Paul in population and economic power. But Saint Paul remained the state capital and the two cities continued growing side-by-side, merging into a metropolitan area now known as the Twin Cities. They are still separated by the Mississippi River but connected by many bridges and interdependent on things like transportation networks, arts institutions, and sports teams.
Twin Cities Population and Economy
The Twin Cities metro area has a population of about 3.6 million people. This makes it the 16th largest metropolitan area in the United States. The Twin Cities contribute significantly to Minnesota’s overall economy:
- The metro area accounts for 64% of Minnesota’s overall economic output
- Major industries include finance, healthcare, biomedical technology, retail, and food processing
- Home to many major corporations like Target, Best Buy, General Mills, and 3M
- Has the fifth largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies among U.S. metropolitan areas
Here is a comparison of some key statistics between Minneapolis and Saint Paul:
| City | Population | Land Area (sq. mi.) | Median Household Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis | 422,331 | 58.4 | $75,772 |
| Saint Paul | 306,621 | 56.2 | $68,411 |
Transportation Between the Twin Cities
Minneapolis and Saint Paul are connected by various transportation links:
- Light rail (Metro Blue and Green Lines)
- Commuter rail (Northstar Line)
- Express buses
- Major highways like I-94 and I-35
- Bridges across the Mississippi River like the I-35W Bridge
The Metro Transit network operated by the Metropolitan Council provides mass transportation between the two downtowns as well as other suburbs. The cities also share the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport.
Sports and Entertainment
Some major sports teams and venues are shared between Minneapolis and Saint Paul:
- Minnesota Twins (MLB) – Target Field in Minneapolis
- Minnesota Vikings (NFL) – U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis
- Minnesota Wild (NHL) – Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul
- Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA) – Target Center in Minneapolis
The Twin Cities also share a robust arts and culture scene. Major institutions like the Walker Art Center, Guthrie Theater, Minnesota Orchestra, and others have audiences from both cities.
Neighborhoods and Communities
There are diverse neighborhoods and communities throughout Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Some notable ones include:
Minneapolis
- Downtown – The central business district
- North Loop – Former warehouse district turned trendy area with restaurants and nightlife
- Nicollet Mall – Major shopping district
- Uptown – Vibrant commercial district with cafes, bars, and shops
- University of Minnesota area – Home to the main campus
Saint Paul
- Downtown – Where many state government offices are located
- Cathedral Hill – Historic area with Victorian homes
- Summit Avenue – Lined with elegant historic mansions
- West Seventh – Commercial area with restaurants, shops, and nightlife
- Como Park – Home to the renowned Como Zoo and Conservatory
Conclusion
Though Minneapolis and Saint Paul started as separate settlements, they have grown together over the past 150+ years to form a metropolitan powerhouse known as the Twin Cities. They complement each other with Minneapolis focused more on business and commerce, while Saint Paul serves as the seat of state government. Together, they offer their 3.6 million residents a high quality of life with strong employment, arts and culture, sports teams, parks, and neighborhoods with distinct identities.