Ramsey County, Minnesota | |
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 Location within the U.S. state ofMinnesota | |
 Minnesota's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:45°00′54.734″N93°05′59.873″W / 45.01520389°N 93.09996472°W /45.01520389; -93.09996472 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Minnesota |
| Founded | October 27, 1849[1] |
| Named after | Alexander Ramsey |
| Seat | Saint Paul |
| Largest city | Saint Paul |
| Area | |
• Total | 170.013 sq mi (440.33 km2) |
| • Land | 152.257 sq mi (394.34 km2) |
| • Water | 17.756 sq mi (45.99 km2) 10.44% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 552,352 |
• Estimate (2024) | 542,015 |
| • Density | 3,561.234/sq mi (1,375.000/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional districts | 4th,5th |
| Website | ramseycounty.us |
Ramsey County is acounty in theU.S. state ofMinnesota. As of the2020 census, the population was 552,352,[2] making it the state'ssecond-most populous county, and was estimated to be 542,015 in 2024.[3] Itscounty seat and largest city isSaint Paul,[4] the state capital and the twin city of Minneapolis. The county was founded in 1849 and is named forAlexander Ramsey, the first governor of theMinnesota Territory.[5] Ramsey County is part of theMinneapolis–Saint Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIMetropolitan statistical area. It is Minnesota's smallest and most densely populated county, as well as the38th-most densely populated county in the United States in 2010.[6]
With the establishment of theMinnesota Territory in 1849, nine counties, including Ramsey County, were created. In 1849, Ramsey County included all of what later became the present-day counties of Ramsey, Anoka, Isanti, and Kanabec, as well as parts of Washington, Pine, Carlton, Aitkin, Mille Lacs, and Hennepin. One of Ramsey County's early settlers was Heman Gibbs, whose farm is now theGibbs Museum of Pioneer and Dakotah Life (Gibbs Farm[7]) inFalcon Heights. Ramsey County remained largely farmland until small villages began to appear in the late 19th century, with the incorporation ofNorth St. Paul in 1887,New Brighton in 1891, andWhite Bear Lake in 1921.[8]
Ramsey County is overwhelmingly Democratic in presidential elections, not having voted for a Republican presidential nominee since 1924. In 2020, Democratic nomineeJoe Biden received the largest share of the vote for any candidate in the county's history, with over 71%.
The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office was established in the oldMinnesota Territory in 1849.[9] The current sheriff is Bob Fletcher, who was elected in 2018 and reelected in 2022. The Ramsey County sheriff is elected to a four-year term in an election concurrent with the federalmidterm elections.
The sheriff's office provides patrol and investigation for communities without local police forces and is available as backup for all communities. In addition to enforcing the law, the office provides town police services under contract toArden Hills,Falcon Heights,Little Canada,North Oaks,Shoreview,Vadnais Heights, andWhite Bear Township.[9]
The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office provides a number of unique services as mandated by law. This includes detention for court and other court services, safety, rescue, and law enforcement on the waterways. The office provides safety classes and coordinates community volunteer efforts. It is responsible for the county jail, more officially the Adult Detention Center, which can hold 500 prisoners and has a staff of about 150.
| Community | Law enforcement | Fire protection | Ambulance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arden Hills | Ramsey County Sheriff | Lake Johanna Fire | Allina Medical Transport |
| Falcon Heights | Ramsey County Sheriff | Saint Paul Fire | Saint Paul Fire |
| Gem Lake | White Bear Lake Police | White Bear Lake Fire | White Bear Lake Fire |
| Lauderdale | Saint Anthony Police | Saint Paul Fire | Saint Paul Fire |
| Little Canada | Ramsey County Sheriff | Little Canada Fire & Rescue | Allina Medical Transport |
| Maplewood | Maplewood Police | Maplewood Fire | Maplewood Fire |
| Minnesota State Fairgrounds | Minnesota State Fair Police | Saint Paul Fire | Saint Paul Fire |
| Mounds View | Mounds View Police | SBM Fire | Allina Medical Transport |
| New Brighton | New Brighton Police Division | New Brighton Fire Division | Allina Medical Transport |
| North Oaks | Ramsey County Sheriff | Lake Johanna Fire | Allina Medical Transport |
| North Saint Paul | North Saint Paul Police | North Saint Paul Fire | Lakeview Emergency Medical |
| Roseville | Roseville Police | Roseville Fire | Allina Medical Transport |
| Saint Anthony | Saint Anthony Police | Saint Anthony Fire | Hennepin EMS |
| Saint Paul | Saint Paul Police | Saint Paul Fire | Saint Paul Fire |
| Shoreview | Ramsey County Sheriff | Lake Johanna Fire | Allina Medical Transport |
| University of Minnesota-St. Paul | University Police | Saint Paul Fire | Saint Paul Fire |
| Vadnais Heights | Ramsey County Sheriff | Vadnais Heights Fire | Allina Medical Transport |
| White Bear Lake | White Bear Lake Police | White Bear Lake Fire | White Bear Lake Fire |
| White Bear Township | Ramsey County Sheriff | White Bear Lake Fire | White Bear Lake Fire |
The Ramsey County attorney prosecutes felony crimes committed within the jurisdiction of Ramsey County. The current county attorney isJohn Choi, who was elected in 2010 and reelected in 2014, 2018, and 2022.
The county commission elects achair who presides at meetings. Commissioners as of February 24, 2025, are:
| District | Commissioner | Assumed office | Current term ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Tara Jebens-Singh | January 6, 2025 | January 1, 2029 |
| 2nd | Mary Jo McGuire (vice chair) | January 6, 2013 | January 1, 2029 |
| 3rd | Garrison McMurtrey | February 24, 2025 | January 4, 2027 |
| 4th | Rena Moran | January 2, 2023 | January 4, 2027 |
| 5th | Rafael E. Ortega (board chair) | 2014 | January 4, 2027 |
| 6th | Mai Chong Xiong | January 2, 2023 | January 4, 2027 |
| 7th | Kelly Miller | January 6, 2025 | January 1, 2029 |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1892 | 11,307 | 41.99% | 12,817 | 47.60% | 2,802 | 10.41% |
| 1896 | 17,522 | 57.66% | 12,048 | 39.65% | 817 | 2.69% |
| 1900 | 15,384 | 56.26% | 10,931 | 39.97% | 1,030 | 3.77% |
| 1904 | 18,269 | 70.22% | 5,860 | 22.52% | 1,889 | 7.26% |
| 1908 | 16,556 | 54.64% | 11,613 | 38.33% | 2,131 | 7.03% |
| 1912 | 4,109 | 12.70% | 12,431 | 38.43% | 15,810 | 48.87% |
| 1916 | 13,317 | 35.08% | 22,291 | 58.72% | 2,353 | 6.20% |
| 1920 | 40,204 | 58.62% | 21,110 | 30.78% | 7,273 | 10.60% |
| 1924 | 39,566 | 47.66% | 8,407 | 10.13% | 35,046 | 42.21% |
| 1928 | 53,054 | 47.84% | 56,807 | 51.22% | 1,049 | 0.95% |
| 1932 | 38,589 | 35.74% | 66,128 | 61.24% | 3,263 | 3.02% |
| 1936 | 30,553 | 23.37% | 86,286 | 66.00% | 13,889 | 10.62% |
| 1940 | 57,093 | 41.32% | 78,990 | 57.17% | 2,082 | 1.51% |
| 1944 | 53,052 | 39.67% | 78,759 | 58.89% | 1,933 | 1.45% |
| 1948 | 48,142 | 34.17% | 88,528 | 62.84% | 4,217 | 2.99% |
| 1952 | 76,093 | 44.40% | 93,783 | 54.73% | 1,494 | 0.87% |
| 1956 | 80,701 | 47.74% | 87,784 | 51.93% | 554 | 0.33% |
| 1960 | 77,408 | 41.50% | 108,464 | 58.15% | 655 | 0.35% |
| 1964 | 56,898 | 29.70% | 133,948 | 69.91% | 746 | 0.39% |
| 1968 | 64,068 | 32.75% | 122,568 | 62.64% | 9,020 | 4.61% |
| 1972 | 95,716 | 45.59% | 108,392 | 51.63% | 5,843 | 2.78% |
| 1976 | 86,480 | 37.92% | 133,682 | 58.62% | 7,905 | 3.47% |
| 1980 | 78,860 | 33.88% | 124,774 | 53.61% | 29,110 | 12.51% |
| 1984 | 95,667 | 39.95% | 141,623 | 59.15% | 2,153 | 0.90% |
| 1988 | 88,736 | 37.78% | 143,767 | 61.20% | 2,393 | 1.02% |
| 1992 | 68,206 | 27.08% | 130,932 | 51.97% | 52,777 | 20.95% |
| 1996 | 66,954 | 29.34% | 133,878 | 58.66% | 27,381 | 12.00% |
| 2000 | 87,669 | 35.89% | 138,470 | 56.69% | 18,139 | 7.43% |
| 2004 | 97,096 | 35.62% | 171,846 | 63.04% | 3,635 | 1.33% |
| 2008 | 88,942 | 32.06% | 182,974 | 65.96% | 5,470 | 1.97% |
| 2012 | 86,800 | 31.13% | 184,938 | 66.33% | 7,084 | 2.54% |
| 2016 | 70,894 | 25.95% | 177,738 | 65.07% | 24,511 | 8.97% |
| 2020 | 77,376 | 26.14% | 211,620 | 71.50% | 6,981 | 2.36% |
| 2024 | 75,284 | 27.08% | 195,168 | 70.20% | 7,573 | 2.72% |
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has an area of 170.013 square miles (440.33 km2), of which 152.257 square miles (394.34 km2) is land and 17.756 square miles (45.99 km2) (10.44%) is water.[12] It is Minnesota's smallest county by area, and has been considered completelyurbanized since the1990 census.[13]
Ramsey County is a major freight hub alongBNSF'sNorthern Transcon route and is also served byUnion Pacific andCanadian Pacific.[14]
Amtrak offers daily intercity passenger rail service on theEmpire Builder fromUnion Depot in Saint Paul.[15]Light rail service is provided byMetro, a light rail andbus rapid transit system operated byMetro Transit that connects several communities in Ramsey and Hennepin Counties.[16] TheMetro Green Line connects Union Depot toTarget Field station inMinneapolis, in neighboringHennepin County.
Ramsey County is served by several interstate highways, includingInterstate 35 andInterstate 94. I-35 has two routes through Ramsey County.I-35E enters the county from Dakota County to the south and proceeds north through Saint Paul, where it intersects I-94, then continues north to Little Canada, where it runs east concurrently withI-694 for several miles before turning north through North Oaks to Washington County.I-35W crosses from Minneapolis to the west through Saint Anthony before turning north through New Brighton, where it intersects I-694, and then to Anoka County, where it goes on to rejoin I-35E in Washington County.[17]
Near the western edge of the county, I-94 enters from Minneapolis where it runs almost parallel toUniversity Avenue until it meets I-35E in Saint Paul and continues east to Washington County.I-494 passes through the southeast corner of the county between Dakota and Washington Counties. From Anoka County in the west, I-694 takes a path through New Brighton, where it meets I-35W, to the junction with I-35E in Little Canada and finally to Washington County in the east.[17]
Ramsey County is also accessible by severalU.S. Highways, in particularUS 10,US 52, andUS 61. US 10 enters from Washington County in the south and continues north to meet I-94 just east of Saint Paul where it turns west to run concurrently with I-94, I-35E, I-694, and finally I-35W before continuing northwest to Anoka County. US 52 runs fromSouth Saint Paul in Dakota County north to downtown Saint Paul where it meets I-94 and turns west to run concurrently with it all the way to the North Dakota border. From the south, US 61 runs concurrently with US 10 and then I-94 until it continues northeast on surface streets through the East Side of Saint Paul. From Saint Paul, US 61 continues north through Maplewood and White Bear Lake before crossing the border into Washington County.[17]
In addition to these federal highways, Ramsey County is served by several Minnesota State Highways, including MN 36 and MN 51, which are divided highways for much of their length.[17]
The county also has jurisdiction over 264.108 miles ofCounty State Aid Highways as well as 21,031 miles of county roads and 59 bridges maintained and monitored by the county's Public Works Department.[18]
.svg)
Interstate 35E.svg)
Interstate 35W.svg)
Interstate 94.svg)
Interstate 694
U.S. Highway 10
U.S. Highway 12
U.S. Highway 52
U.S. Highway 61
Minnesota State Highway 5
Minnesota State Highway 13
Minnesota State Highway 36
Minnesota State Highway 51
Minnesota State Highway 96
Minnesota State Highway 120
Minnesota State Highway 149
Minnesota State Highway 156
Minnesota State Highway 280.svg)
County Road 30 (Larpenteur Avenue).svg)
County Road 34 (University Avenue).svg)
.svg)
County Road 36/37 (Shepard Road/Warner Road)The primary airport serving Ramsey County isMinneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, in neighboringHennepin County. The only airport in Ramsey County isSaint Paul Downtown Airport, a smaller commercial airport with three runways primarily used for general aviation and military operations.[19]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 2,227 | — | |
| 1860 | 12,150 | 445.6% | |
| 1870 | 23,085 | 90.0% | |
| 1880 | 45,890 | 98.8% | |
| 1890 | 139,796 | 204.6% | |
| 1900 | 170,554 | 22.0% | |
| 1910 | 223,675 | 31.1% | |
| 1920 | 244,554 | 9.3% | |
| 1930 | 286,721 | 17.2% | |
| 1940 | 309,935 | 8.1% | |
| 1950 | 355,332 | 14.6% | |
| 1960 | 422,525 | 18.9% | |
| 1970 | 476,255 | 12.7% | |
| 1980 | 459,784 | −3.5% | |
| 1990 | 485,765 | 5.7% | |
| 2000 | 511,035 | 5.2% | |
| 2010 | 508,640 | −0.5% | |
| 2020 | 552,352 | 8.6% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 542,015 | [20] | −1.9% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[21] 1790–1960[22] 1900–1990[23] 1990–2000[24] 2010–2020[3] | |||
As of the third quarter of 2024, the median home value in Ramsey County was $329,720.[25]
As of the 2023American Community Survey, there are 219,075 estimated households in Ramsey County with an average of 2.41 persons per household. The county has a median household income of $81,004. Approximately 11.9% of the county's population lives at or below thepoverty line. Ramsey County has an estimated 68.7% employment rate, with 45.5% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 91.5% holding a high school diploma.[3]
The top five reported ancestries (people were allowed to report up to two ancestries, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (76.5%), Spanish (5.3%), Indo-European (2.1%), Asian and Pacific Islander (10.6%), and Other (5.4%).
The median age in the county was 36.4 years.
Ramsey County, Minnesota – racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
| Race / ethnicity(NH = non-Hispanic) | Pop. 1980[26] | Pop. 1990[27] | Pop. 2000[28] | Pop. 2010[29] | Pop. 2020[30] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 422,284 (91.84%) | 420,949 (86.66%) | 384,648 (75.27%) | 340,194 (66.89%) | 320,477 (58.02%) |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 14,494 (3.15%) | 22,096 (4.55%) | 37,978 (7.43%) | 54,835 (10.78%) | 70,101 (12.69%) |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 2,993 (0.65%) | 4,129 (0.85%) | 3,677 (0.72%) | 3,143 (0.62%) | 2,914 (0.53%) |
| Asian alone (NH) | 5,402 (1.17%) | 24,209 (4.98%) | 44,633 (8.73%) | 59,033 (11.61%) | 85,775 (15.53%) |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | — | — | 284 (0.06%) | 195 (0.04%) | 214 (0.04%) |
| Other race alone (NH) | 5,301 (1.15%) | 492 (0.10%) | 803 (0.16%) | 737 (0.15%) | 2,339 (0.42%) |
| Mixed race or multiracial (NH) | — | — | 12,033 (2.35%) | 14,020 (2.76%) | 25,498 (4.62%) |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 9,310 (2.02%) | 13,890 (2.86%) | 26,979 (5.28%) | 36,483 (7.17%) | 45,034 (8.15%) |
| Total | 459,784 (100.00%) | 485,765 (100.00%) | 511,035 (100.00%) | 508,640 (100.00%) | 552,352 (100.00%) |
As of the2020 census, there were 552,352 people, 218,077 households, and 125,476 families residing in the county.[31] Thepopulation density was 3,628.0 inhabitants per square mile (1,400.8/km2). There were 228,546 housing units at an average density of 1,501.1 per square mile (579.6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 59.55%White, 12.92%African American, 0.81%Native American, 15.58%Asian, 0.05%Pacific Islander, 3.98% from some other races and 7.10% from two or more races.Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 8.15% of the population.[32]
As of the2010 census, there were 508,640 people, 202,691 households, and 117,799 families residing in the county. The population density was 3,341.7 inhabitants per square mile (1,290.2/km2). There were 217,196 housing units at an average density of 1,426.9 per square mile (550.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 70.10%White, 11.04%African American, 0.79%Native American, 11.66%Asian, 0.05%Pacific Islander, 2.91% from some other races and 3.45% from two or more races.Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 7.17% of the population.
At the2000 census, there were 511,035 people, 201,236 households, and 119,936 families residing in the county. The population density was 3,275.9 inhabitants per square mile (1,264.8/km2). There were 206,448 housing units at an average density of 1,323.4 per square mile (511.0/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 77.37%White, 7.61%African American, 0.83%Native American, 8.77%Asian, 0.06%Pacific Islander, 2.45% from some other races and 2.90% from two or more races.Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 5.28% of the population.
There were 201,236 households, out of which 29.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.00% weremarried couples living together, 11.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.40% were non-families. 32.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.16.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.60% under the age of 18, 11.30% from 18 to 24, 30.70% from 25 to 44, 20.70% from 45 to 64, and 11.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 93.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $45,722, and the median income for a family was $57,747. Males had a median income of $39,806 versus $30,814 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $23,536. About 7.40% of families and 10.60% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 15.70% of those under age 18 and 6.80% of those age 65 or over.
School districts include:[34]
Charter schools include:
Places adjacent to Ramsey County, Minnesota | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofRamsey County, Minnesota,United States | ||
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| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost towns/Neighborhoods | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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