Rochester Demographics

Rochester, Minnesota, the third largest city in the state of Minnesota:

• “Top 5 Cities to Live In” — Money Magazine — 3 times in the last 8 years
• #2 in the country in Forbes Magazine’s “Ten Best Smaller Metros” — 2005

The most recent estimate of the regional trade area population is in excess of 228,682 people. Rochester has the highest median hourly wage in the state of Minnesota and 10th highest in the country. Mayo Clinic added 1,101 new jobs in 2005 and an additional 1,846 new jobs were added in 2006 in Rochester, according to Gary Smith, executive vice president of Rochester Area Economic Development.

Rochester was the fastest-growing city in Minnesota during 2007 and had the largest increase in median income as well. From 2000 to 2005, Rochester had the highest population increase — over 11,000 — of any city in the state (source: State Demographer).

Located southeast of the Twin Cities, the city of Rochester is home to the world-renowned Mayo Clinic and the largest IBM complex. Rochester also consistently ranks near the top of many of the nation’s “Most Livable Cities” lists.