Census: Twin Cities Suburban Growth Trailing Urban Counties

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Population growth in the once-booming Twin Cities suburban counties is slowing down.

The latest U.S. Census estimates show that growth in the five suburban counties collectively trails Hennepin and Ramsey counties so far this decade.

Reports say Ramsey County is now growing as quickly as suburban neighbor Washington County. For half a century, Ramsey was the slowest-growing of the metro counties. In the 1990s, Washington grew eight times faster than Ramsey.

Anoka and Dakota counties have shown the weakest growth so far in the seven-county metro region.

Statewide, 46 Minnesota counties have seen population losses so far this decade, although some were minor. Drops of 3 percent or more occurred in 17 of the 87 counties.