The Star of the North for Business
Minnesota businesses have a legacy of building things that last while strengthening the global economy for the better. Their foundation is built on an economic landscape characterized by diversity, ingenuity, neighborly collaboration and perseverance. These characteristics are some of the reasons why Medical Alley, the premier global healthcare cluster, began in Minnesota. And why global businesses and local organizations came together to create a first-of-its-kind Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Hub coalition in the state.
Explore what’s possible in the Star of the North.
Minnesota by the Numbers
Land Area: 79,610 square miles (206,232 square kilometers)
Major River Systems: Three — the Mississippi, Minnesota and Red River of the North
Time Zone: Central Time (UTC−6 standard time; UTC−5 daylight time)
Gross Domestic Product (GDP): $471.8 billion (2023)
Population: 5.74 million (2022)
Largest City by Population: Minneapolis — 425,104 residents (2022)
Labor Force Participation: 3 million people, with a 67% participation rate (2026)
Colleges and Universities: Nearly 200
Students in Postsecondary Education: 400,000 (2025)
Sources: Minnesota Secretary of State, BEA Interactive Data Application, U.S. Census, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, MN Office of Higher Education
Reliable, Top-Rated Infrastructure
Whether you’re shipping goods on a barge down the Mississippi River, operating your business online, or serving customers in a brick-and-mortar, Minnesota has you covered. The state’s north-central location and first-rate infrastructure seamlessly connect businesses with customers and suppliers worldwide. You’ll find: four Class 1 railroads, three interstate highways, nine commercial airports (including one of the country’s top-rated airports), seven commercial ports, reliable water and energy resources and nearly border-to-border high-speed internet.
Global Talent Market
Minnesota is home to one of the country’s most talented workforces. That’s no accident; it comes from years of investment by public- and private-sector leaders in education, such as the highly rated University of Minnesota, and training initiatives that have produced strong talent for a diverse economy. Minnesota ranks among the top states in high school graduation rates and total labor force participation.
In Minnesota, you will also find state-supported training programs that enable employers to partner with local educational institutions to create customized training curricula for their workers.
Growing Minnesota's Talent Pipeline
Austria-based Rosenbauer is the world's largest producer of custom fire trucks worldwide, with 14 factory locations, including in Wyoming, Minnesota. Hear from employees and leadership about how Rosenbauer is working with the State of Minnesota on workforce development and growing its talent pipeline.
Inventing Tomorrow, Today
Ingenuity thrives in Minnesota. Whether conducting the first open-heart surgery, shaping global agricultural practices or inventing devices and products that have revolutionized the world, Minnesotans have been innovating for generations.
Today, that legacy is reflected in substantial investments in research and development, one of the country’s highest rates of patent creation and numerous public-private partnerships.
Unmatched Quality of Life
Minnesota is consistently ranked among the happiest, healthiest and most prosperous states in the U.S. A top-notch health care system, stunning natural landscapes and a vibrant arts and culture scene offer an unmatched quality of life, no matter where you live in the state.
Minnesotans also pride themselves on the values of inclusion, neighborism, optimism and civic engagement, with some of the nation’s highest rates of volunteerism and voter participation.
