Minnesota is known as “The North Star State,” a nickname derived from the French motto on its state flag and seal, “l’étoile du nord,”[1] Minnesota is also affectionately called the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” due to its numerous lakes.[2] Covering an area of approximately 86,943 square miles (225,163 square kilometers), it is the 12th largest state in the U.S. by area.[3] It boasts a diverse population that, as of 2022, was estimated to be around 5,801,769 residents.[4]
Minnesota’s economy is robust and multifaceted, ranking 20th in size among U.S. states and Washington, D.C. The state has seen a real GDP growth rate of 4.1% per year as of the 3rd quarter of 2023.[5] Key sectors include manufacturing, with a focus on medical devices, computer components, and communications equipment. The food industry is also significant, with Minnesota being a leading meatpacking state and producer of flour, which is processed into various food products.
The state’s most iconic products have had a considerable impact both domestically and globally. These include Gold Medal Flour, produced by General Mills, and the famous canned meat product, Spam, made by Hormel Foods Corporation in Austin, Minnesota.[6] Additionally, Minnesota is known for its medical innovations, such as the pacemaker, and for being the birthplace of companies like Target and 3M.[7][8] Minnesota has many natural attractions. Places like the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, the mesmerizing Minnehaha Falls, and the historic Split Rock Lighthouse are just a few of the state’s most attractive features that draw visitors from all over. The state also boasts the largest indoor theme park in the USA and is one of the healthiest states in the nation.[9]
Research your ancestors on MyHeritage
History of MinnesotaHistory of Minnesota
Archaeologists have documented human activity in Minnesota dating back to at least 9,000–12,000 years ago. The region was strategically important to Native American peoples for thousands of years as they used the waterways for transportation and food, and developed an extensive trade relationship with other native peoples,[10] The region is centered within Dakota creation stories and is an important place in traditional Ojibwe history. Along with the Dakota and Ojibwe, the Ho-Chunk, Cheyenne, Oto, Iowa, and the Sac & Fox tribes also acknowledge Minnesota as important to their tribal histories.[10]
The region that would become Minnesota was first explored by Europeans in the 17th century, with French fur traders arriving and establishing trade with the indigenous Dakota and Anishinaabe peoples.[11]
Minnesota was admitted to the Union as the 32nd state on May 11, 1858, following a complex journey through various territorial changes and political challenges. The state’s admission was initially tied to the controversial Kansas-Nebraska Act, but Minnesota eventually entered the Union as a free state.[12]
During the Civil War, Minnesota demonstrated its commitment to the Union cause by being the first state to volunteer troops. The First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment played a crucial role in the Battle of Gettysburg, among other significant contributions throughout the war.[13]
The 19th century saw Minnesota’s economy flourish through fur trading, logging, milling, and farming. The state’s natural resources, particularly its vast forests and fertile lands, were pivotal in its economic growth. The arrival of railroads further accelerated development, bringing immigrants and connecting Minnesota’s goods to broader markets.[14]
The 20th century brought about significant social and economic changes. Minnesota became a hub for iron mining, which, along with its agricultural base, helped shape its economy. The Progressive Era marked a time of reform and improvement in labor rights and women’s suffrage, reflecting the state’s evolving social landscape. The Great Depression tested Minnesota’s resilience, but New Deal programs provided relief and recovery. Post-World War II, Minnesota emerged as a center for technology and innovation, with companies like Control Data and Cray contributing to its economic landscape.[14][15]
Demographics of MinnesotaDemographics of Minnesota
The demographic distribution of Minnesota population is as follows:[16]
- White: 67.85%
- Black or African American: 14.07%
- Other race: 6.21%
- Two or more races: 5.84%
- Asian: 5.66%
- Native American: 0.33%
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.04%
Most common surnames in MinnesotaMost common surnames in Minnesota
The demographic distribution of Minnesota surnames is as follows:[17]
| Surname | Incidence | Frequency | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson | 85,178 | 1:73 | |||
| Anderson | 60,035 | 1:104 | |||
| Nelson | 39,578 | 1:158 | |||
| Olson | 37,811 | 1:165 | |||
| Peterson | 36,574 | 1:171 | |||
| Larson | 27,134 | 1:230 | |||
| Miller | 25,853 | 1:242 | |||
| Carlson | 22,477 | 1:278 | |||
| Hanson | 21,469 | 1:291 | |||
| Erickson | 18,927 | 1:330 |
Researching family history in MinnesotaResearching family history in Minnesota
The National Archives at Chicago serves Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The Minnesota State University online resource PALS (Program for Automated Library Systems) provides solutions to help librarians preserve and share information across library systems. The Minnesota Historical Society has many genealogically valuable online record collections. The Minnesota Digital Library has an extensive collection of digital content from almost 200 participating organizations from across the state. The University of Minnesota Immigration History Research Center has information about immigrants from central, eastern, and southern European countries. There are also many local repositories for additional records.
Minnesota county listMinnesota county list
Minnesota has 87 counties:
| Aitkin | Anoka | Becker | Beltrami |
| Benton | Big Stone | Blue Earth | Brown |
| Carlton | Carver | Cass | Chippewa |
| Chisago | Clay | Clearwater | Cook |
| Cottonwood | Crow Wing | Dakota | Dodge |
| Douglas | Faribault | Fillmore | Freeborn |
| Goodhue | Grant | Hennepin | Houston |
| Hubbard | Isanti | Itasca | Jackson |
| Kanabec | Kandiyohi | Kittson | Koochiching |
| Lac qui Parle | Lake | Lake of the Woods | Le Sueur |
| Lincoln | Lyon | McLeod | Mahnomen |
| Marshall | Martin | Meeker | Mill Lacs |
| Morrison | Mower | Murray | Nicollet |
| Nobles | Norman | Olmsted | Otter Tail |
| Pennington | Pine | Pipestone | Polk |
| Pope | Ramsey | Red Lake | Redwood |
| Renville | Rice | Rock | Roseau |
| St. Louis | Scott | Sherburne | Sibley |
| Stearns | Steele | Stevens | Swift |
| Todd | Traverse | Wabasha | Wadena |
| Waseca | Washington | Watonwan | Wilkin |
| Winona | Wright | Yellow Medicine |
See alsoSee also
Explore more about MinnesotaExplore more about Minnesota
MyHeritage.com has 60 collections of genealogically valuable record from Minnesota including Minnesota, Births, Minnesota, Marriages, Minnesota, Death Index, 1904-2001, Minnesota, Birth Index, 1900-1934, 1905 Minnesota State Census, and Minnesota, Marriages, 1976 - 2003. You can also find many more helpful collections in the Minnesota Collections Catalog.
References
- ↑ 89 Interesting Facts About Minnesota - The Fact File
- ↑ Minnesota State Nickname | The North Star State
- ↑ Location, size, and extent - Minnesota
- ↑ Our Estimates
- ↑ Economy of Minnesota Statistics and Data Trends: GDP ranking, unemployment rate, and economic growth | USAFacts
- ↑ These 10 Iconic Products Define Minnesota More Than Anything Else
- ↑ Target History Timeline
- ↑ The History of 3M | From Humble Beginnings to Fortune 500
- ↑ 50 Interesting & Fun Facts About Minnesota State to Know
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Native Americans | Minnesota Historical Society
- ↑ Minnesota Territorial Pioneers
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary Of State - Admission of Minnesota into the Union 1858
- ↑ The Civil War (1861-1865) | Minnesota Historical Society
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Progressive Era in Minnesota, 1899–1920 | MNopedia
- ↑ Reform Minded at the Turn of the Century: The Populist and Progressive Eras
- ↑ Illinois Population 2024 (Demographics, Maps, Graphs)
- ↑ Most Common Last Names in Minnesota