The Tri-County area saw modest growth in the latest U.S. Census data. From July 1st, 2011 through July 1st of 2012 Stearns County's population increased by 415 people, Sherburne County added 263 people, and Benton County increased by 20.
For the first time, racial and ethnic minorities make up more than half the children born in the U.S. The Census Bureau reports children younger than 1 who are minority has tipped past the 50 percent mark.
Of the six cities that make-up the St. Cloud metro area, Sartell continues to grow the fastest. The total population of the St. Cloud metro area is now just over 111,000.
The St. Cloud area continued to gain population over the past decade. According to the 2010 Census, the city of St. Cloud grew 11.4% to 65,842 people. St. Cloud is now the 8th largest city in the state, up from #11 in 2000.
The redistricting debate in Minnesota will heat up this week with the release of the official census population counts for all the neighborhoods, cities and counties in the state. The U.S. Census Bureau has been rolling out the population figures used to set Congressional districts for several weeks, and more than 40 states have already received them.
Minnesota will keep all eight of its U.S. House seats based on the newest U.S. Census count. The 2010 Census reports Tuesday that Minnesota's population is up 7.4 percent over the 4.9 million Minnesotans counted 10 years ago.
Nearly one in three people with Somali ancestry in the United States live in Minnesota, although some activists claim there are more. The 1 in 3 estimate comes from new survey data released Tuesday by the U.S. Census Bureau.