Minnesota Information and Facts

Official Website: http://www.state.mn.us/

Income

The population of Minnesota in 2002 was 5,024,791. Its rank was 21st in the nation. (The District of Columbia is included for ranking purposes.)

Per Capita Personal Income

In 2002 Minnesota had a per capita personal income of $33,322. This per capita personal income ranked 9th in the United States and was 108 percent of the national average, $30,906. The 2002 per capita personal income reflected an increase of 1.8 percent from 2001. The 2001-2002 national change was 1.2 percent. In 1992 the per capita personal income of Minnesota was $21,443 and ranked 16th in the United States. The 1992-2002 average annual growth rate of per capita personal income was 4.5 percent. The average annual growth rate for the nation was 4.0 percent.

Total Personal Income

In 2002 Minnesota had a total personal income of $167,434,437. This total personal income ranked 17th in the United States. In 1992 the total personal income of Minnesota was $96,400,644 and ranked 19th in the United States. The 2002 total personal income reflected an increase of 2.6 percent from 2001. The 2001-2002 national change was 2.3 percent. The 1992-2002 average annual growth rate of total personal income was 5.7 percent. The average annual growth rate for the nation was 5.2 percent.

Components of Personal Income

Total personal income includes net earnings by place of residence; dividends, interest, and rent; and total personal current transfer receipts received by the residents of Minnesota. In 2002 net earnings accounted for 69.2 percent of total personal income (compared with 69.2 in 1992); dividends, interest, and rent were 18.4 percent (compared with 18.6 in 1992); and personal current transfer receipts were 12.4 percent (compared with 12.1 in 1992). From 2001 to 2002 net earnings increased 2.1 percent; dividends, interest, and rent increased 0.3 percent; and personal current transfer receipts increased 9.5 percent. From 1992 to 2002 net earnings increased on average 5.7 percent each year; dividends, interest, and rent increased on average 5.6 percent; and personal current transfer receipts increased on average 5.9 percent.

Employment Earnings

Earnings of persons employed in Minnesota increased from $129,975,768 in 2001 to $132,950,996 in 2002, an increase of 2.3 percent. The 2001-2002 national change was 1.5 percent. The average annual growth rate from the 1992 estimate of $76,219,672 to the 2002 estimate was 5.7 percent. The average annual growth rate for the nation was 5.3 percent.

Area - The area of Minnesota is 225,182 sq km (86,943 sq mi), of which 12,380 sq km (4780 sq mi) is inland water and 6594 sq km (2546 sq mi) is a portion of Lake Superior under the state's jurisdiction. Minnesota thus ranks 12th in area among the 50 states. From north to south the state measures 653 km (406 mi), and from east to west it measures 576 km (358 mi) at its maximum extent and about 290 km (about 180 mi) at its narrowest point. The mean elevation is about 370 m (about 1200 ft).

Climate - Minnesota's climate is classified as humid continental because normally there is a sufficient amount of precipitation to provide at least some surplus for runoff, and because Minnesota's temperature conditions are largely controlled by its location in the interior of the large landmass of North America. The result is extreme seasonal temperature variations. The average January temperature is about -18° C (about 0° F) in the northwest and about -10° C (about 14° F) in the south, but the thermometer periodically drops to lows in the -30°s C (-20°s F). The average temperature in July is about 23° C (about 74° F) in the south and as low as 16° C (60° F) in the far northeast. Heat waves with temperatures in the upper 30°s C (lower 100°s F), however, are common. Precipitation is generally adequate but varies from about 750 mm (about 30 in) annually in the southeast to less than 500 mm (20 in) in the northwest. Occasionally damaging droughts occur in the western part of the state. Snow cover is common over the state for long periods. Average annual snowfall varies from about 750 mm (about 30 in) in the west to about 1500 mm (about 60 in) in the northeast. The growing season varies from about 150 days in the south to about 100 days in the north.

State Flag

State Flower - Pink and White Lady's-Slipper

State Capitol - Saint Paul
Minnesota is governed under its original constitution, which was adopted in 1857 and became effective the following year when Minnesota was admitted to the Union as a state. A constitutional amendment may be proposed by the state legislature or by a constitutional convention. To be ratified, it must be approved by a majority of voters in a general election.

Famous People

Bob Dylan singer, composer, Duluth
Charles Horace Mayo surgeon, Rochester
Charles Monroe Schulz cartoonist, Minneapolis
Cornell MacNeil baritone, Minneapolis
Duane Hanson sculptor, Alexandria
E. G. Marshall actor, Owatonna
Edward Lowe inventor, Saint Paul
Eugene J. McCarthy senator, Watkins
Francis Scott Fitzgerald author, Saint Paul
Garrison Keillor humorist, Anoka
Harold Edward Stassen government official, Saint Paul
James Earle Fraser sculptor, Winona
Jane Russell actress, Bemidji
Jean Paul Getty oil executive, Minneapolis
Jesse Ventura politician, entertainer, Minneapolis
Jessica Lange actress, Cloquet
John Madden sportscaster, Austin
Judy Garland singer, actress, Grand Rapids
Kate Millett feminist, Saint Paul
Kevin Sorbo actor, Mound
Lauris Norstad commander of NATO forces, Minneapolis
LaVerne, Maxene, and Patti Andrews singers, Minneapolis
Maurice H. Stans secretary of commerce, Shakopee
Michael Todd producer, Minneapolis
Prince Rogers Nelson singer, Minneapolis
Roger Maris baseball player, Hibbing
Sinclair Lewis author, Sauk Center
Walter F. Mondale Vice President, Celyon
Warren E. Burger jurist, Saint Paul
Westbrook Pegler columnist, Minneapolis
William Demarest actor, Saint Paul
William J. Mayo surgeon, Le Sueur
William Orville Douglas jurist, Maine
Winona Ryder actress, Winona