You may have noticed that we like to brag about Minneapolis. We’ve bragged about the very low unemployment rate (in our Salary Survey), we’ve shared videos about its greatness, and we’ve tweeted and posted to a multitude of articles on our social media about how wonderful it is to live in the Twin Cities. Why do we keep telling you how great it is? Because it’s true. And to help prove our point, we wanted to draw your attention to an article in The Atlantic called “The Miracle of Minneapolis” which gives some concrete evidence for why the greater Twin Cities is such a thriving metropolis.
In Short:
Minneapolis is a unique city in the United States for a variety of reasons. Most notably, the Twin Cities are a convergence of opportunity, affordability, and wealth for its inhabitants. Have you ever noticed that Minnesotans don’t leave their home state? It’s rare that natives move elsewhere (at least without eventually returning). Plus, Minneapolis continues to be a magnet for talent in the rest of the Midwest due to it’s central location, and the distance that exists between the Midwest region and major U.S. cities like New York and Los Angeles.
Minneapolis facts at a glance:
- Minneapolis has the highest employment rate for 18-to-34-year-olds.
- The Star of the North is in the top 10 for highest college graduation rates, highest median earnings, and lowest poverty rate.
- It ranks 2nd in affordable rent and an affordable commute for low-income families.
- 40 Minnesota companies have made it onto the Fortune 500 list within the last 60 years.
- From 1960-1976 Minnesota passed a series of laws that drew new business to the city, dispersed commercial tax dollars to fund the development of poorer neighborhoods, and expanded affordable housing throughout the Twin Cities region.
Quick quotes:
- “There is something about Minneapolis that makes us unusually good at building and keeping large companies.”
- “It’s really hard to get people to move to Minneapolis, and it’s impossible to get them to leave.”
- “I couldn’t help but think that the Saint Anthony Falls were a metaphor for the city’s advantages: a blend of geographical blessings and thoughtful city planning—all of which, to an outsider, looks deceptively boring.”
From the beginning, Minnesotans have been a forward-thinking people. We’ve carefully planned out our cities, worked at preserving our green spaces, and have led the way in making the American dream available to everyone. With that said, maybe we should start calling Minnesota the Gold Star of the North.
Read the full story here.
