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Ramsey County, Minnesota

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For the suburban city in Anoka County, see Ramsey, Minnesota.

Ramsey County
County
Ramsey County Courthouse
Ramsey County Courthouse
Map of Minnesota highlighting Ramsey County
Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota
Map of the United States highlighting Minnesota
Minnesota's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 45°00′54.734″N 93°05′59.873″W / 45.01520389°N 93.09996472°W / 45.01520389; -93.09996472
Country United States
State Minnesota
FoundedOctober 27, 1849[1]
Named afterAlexander Ramsey
SeatSaint Paul
Largest citySaint Paul
Area
 • Total
170.013 sq mi (440.33 km2)
 • Land152.257 sq mi (394.34 km2)
 • Water17.756 sq mi (45.99 km2)  10.44%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
552,352
 • Estimate 
(2024)
542,015 Decrease
 • Density3,561.234/sq mi (1,375.000/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts4th, 5th
Websiteramseycounty.us

Ramsey County is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 552,352,[2] making it the state's second most populous county, and was estimated to be 542,015 in 2024.[3] Its county seat and largest city is Saint Paul,[4] the state capital and the twin city of Minneapolis. The county was founded in 1849 and is named for Alexander Ramsey, the first governor of the Minnesota Territory.[5] Ramsey County is part of the Minneapolis–Saint Paul–Bloomington, MN–WI Metropolitan statistical area. It is Minnesota's smallest and most densely populated county, as well as one of the 38th-most densely populated counties in the United States in 2010.[6]

History

[edit]

With the establishment of the Minnesota 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; and parts of Washington, Pine, Carlton, Aitkin, Mille Lacs, and Hennepin. One of Ramsey County's early settlers was Heman Gibbs, whose farm is now the Gibbs Museum of Pioneer and Dakotah Life (Gibbs Farm[7]) in Falcon Heights. Ramsey County remained largely farmland until small villages began to appear in the late 19th century, with the incorporation of North St. Paul in 1887, New Brighton in 1891, and White Bear Lake in 1921.[8]

Government and politics

[edit]

Ramsey County is overwhelmingly Democratic in presidential elections, not having voted for a Republican presidential nominee since 1924. In 2020, Democratic nominee Joe Biden received the largest share of the vote for any candidate in the county's history, with over 71%.

County sheriff

[edit]

The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office was established in the old Minnesota 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 federal midterm 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 to Arden Hills, Falcon Heights, Little Canada, North Oaks, Shoreview, Vadnais Heights, and White 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

County Attorney

[edit]

The Ramsey County Attorney prosecutes felony crimes committed within the jurisdiction of Ramsey County. The current County Attorney is John Choi, who was elected in 2010 and reelected in 2014, 2018, and 2022.

County Commissioners

[edit]

The county commission elects a chair who presides at meetings. Commissioners as of January 3, 2023, 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
United States presidential election results for Ramsey County, Minnesota[10][11]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 75,284 27.08% 195,168 70.20% 7,573 2.72%
2020 77,376 26.14% 211,620 71.50% 6,981 2.36%
2016 70,894 25.95% 177,738 65.07% 24,511 8.97%
2012 86,800 31.13% 184,938 66.33% 7,084 2.54%
2008 88,942 32.06% 182,974 65.96% 5,470 1.97%
2004 97,096 35.62% 171,846 63.04% 3,635 1.33%
2000 87,669 35.89% 138,470 56.69% 18,139 7.43%
1996 66,954 29.34% 133,878 58.66% 27,381 12.00%
1992 68,206 27.08% 130,932 51.97% 52,777 20.95%
1988 88,736 37.78% 143,767 61.20% 2,393 1.02%
1984 95,667 39.95% 141,623 59.15% 2,153 0.90%
1980 78,860 33.88% 124,774 53.61% 29,110 12.51%
1976 86,480 37.92% 133,682 58.62% 7,905 3.47%
1972 95,716 45.59% 108,392 51.63% 5,843 2.78%
1968 64,068 32.75% 122,568 62.64% 9,020 4.61%
1964 56,898 29.70% 133,948 69.91% 746 0.39%
1960 77,408 41.50% 108,464 58.15% 655 0.35%
1956 80,701 47.74% 87,784 51.93% 554 0.33%
1952 76,093 44.40% 93,783 54.73% 1,494 0.87%
1948 48,142 34.17% 88,528 62.84% 4,217 2.99%
1944 53,052 39.67% 78,759 58.89% 1,933 1.45%
1940 57,093 41.32% 78,990 57.17% 2,082 1.51%
1936 30,553 23.37% 86,286 66.00% 13,889 10.62%
1932 38,589 35.74% 66,128 61.24% 3,263 3.02%
1928 53,054 47.84% 56,807 51.22% 1,049 0.95%
1924 39,566 47.66% 8,407 10.13% 35,046 42.21%
1920 40,204 58.62% 21,110 30.78% 7,273 10.60%
1916 13,317 35.08% 22,291 58.72% 2,353 6.20%
1912 4,109 12.70% 12,431 38.43% 15,810 48.87%
1908 16,556 54.64% 11,613 38.33% 2,131 7.03%
1904 18,269 70.22% 5,860 22.52% 1,889 7.26%
1900 15,384 56.26% 10,931 39.97% 1,030 3.77%
1896 17,522 57.66% 12,048 39.65% 817 2.69%
1892 11,307 41.99% 12,817 47.60% 2,802 10.41%

Geography

[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total 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 the 87th largest county in Minnesota by total area.

It is Minnesota's smallest county by area. It has been considered completely urbanized since the 1990 census.[13]

Adjacent counties

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National protected area

[edit]

Transportation

[edit]

Rail

[edit]

Ramsey County is a major freight hub along BNSF's Northern Transcon route and is also served by Union Pacific and Canadian Pacific.[14]

Amtrak offers daily intercity passenger rail service on the Empire Builder from Union Depot in Saint Paul.[15] Light rail service is provided by Metro, a light rail and bus rapid transit system operated by Metro Transit that connects several communities in Ramsey and Hennepin Counties.[16] The Metro Green Line connects Union Depot to Target Field station in Minneapolis, in neighboring Hennepin County.

Road

[edit]

Ramsey County is served by several interstate highways, including Interstate 35 and Interstate 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 with I-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 to University 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 several U.S. Highways, in particular US 10, US 52, and US 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 from South 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 of County 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]

Major highways

[edit]

Air

[edit]

The primary airport serving Ramsey County is Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, in neighboring Hennepin County. The only airport in Ramsey County is Saint Paul Downtown Airport, a smaller commercial airport with three runways primarily used for general aviation and military operations.[19]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18502,227—
186012,150445.6%
187023,08590.0%
188045,89098.8%
1890139,796204.6%
1900170,55422.0%
1910223,67531.1%
1920244,5549.3%
1930286,72117.2%
1940309,9358.1%
1950355,33214.6%
1960422,52518.9%
1970476,25512.7%
1980459,784−3.5%
1990485,7655.7%
2000511,0355.2%
2010508,640−0.5%
2020552,3528.6%
2024 (est.)542,015[20]−1.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[21]
1790–1960[22] 1900–1990[23]
1990–2000[24] 2010–2020[3]
2022 US Census population pyramid for Ramsey County, from ACS 5-year estimates

As of the third quarter of 2024, the median home value in Ramsey County was $329,720.[25]

As of the 2023 American 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 the poverty 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 or Alaska 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%)

2020 census

[edit]

As of the 2020 census, there were 552,352 people, 218,077 households, and 125,476 families residing in the county.[31] The population 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]

2010 census

[edit]

As of the 2010 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.

2000 census

[edit]

At the 2000 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% were married 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. The per capita income for the county was $23,536. About 7.40% of families and 10.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.70% of those under age 18 and 6.80% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

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Cities

[edit]

Townships

[edit]

Unincorporated communities

[edit]

Education

[edit]

School districts include:[34]

Charter schools include:

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "October-27-1849". Minnesota Historical Society. July 1, 2015. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  2. ^ "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Ramsey County, Minnesota". www.census.gov. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  5. ^ Chicago and North Western Railway Company (1908). A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways. p. 163.
  6. ^ "Ramsey County". metromsp.org. Minneapolis Regional Chamber Development Foundation. 2009. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  7. ^ "Gibbs Farm". www.rchs.com. Ramsey County Historical Society. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  8. ^ Virginia Brainard Kunz. "A Brief History of Ramsey County". Ramsey County Historical Society. Archived from the original on December 30, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  9. ^ a b "About the Sheriff's Office". Ramsey County Sheriff's Office. 2025. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  10. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  11. ^ The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 12,426 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 2,942 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 275 votes, and Socialist Labor candidate Arthur Reimer received 167 votes.
  12. ^ "2024 County Gazetteer Files – Minnesota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  13. ^ "Ramsey County Public Works: A System of Thoroughfares, Highways, Streets and Other Public Ways". Ramsey County. Archived from the original on September 4, 2010. Retrieved January 25, 2011.
  14. ^ "Twin Cities Area Freight Railroad Map" (PDF). Minnesota Department of Transportation. September 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 31, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  15. ^ "Empire Builder". Amtrak. Archived from the original on December 31, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  16. ^ "Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Transit System Map". Metro Transit. Archived from the original on December 31, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  17. ^ a b c d "Ramsey County Highway Map" (PDF). Minnesota Department of Transportation. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 30, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  18. ^ "Ramsey County Public Works 2024-2028 Transportation Improvement Plan" (PDF). Ramsey County Public Works. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  19. ^ FAA Airport Form 5010 for STP PDF, effective December 7, 2017.
  20. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  21. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  22. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. 2007. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  23. ^ Forstall, Richard L. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 19, 1999. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  24. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  25. ^ "County Median Home Price". National Association of Realtors. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  26. ^ "Ramsey County, Minnesota — Population by Race". CensusScope. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  27. ^ "Ramsey County, Minnesota — Population by Race". CensusScope. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  28. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Ramsey County, Minnesota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  29. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Ramsey County, Minnesota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  30. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Ramsey County, Minnesota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  31. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  32. ^ "How many people live in Ramsey County, Minnesota". USA Today. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  33. ^ a b c d e Map of Ramsey County, Minn (Map). Alfred Theodore Andreas. 1874. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
  34. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Ramsey County, MN" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 22, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2022. - Text list
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