Minnesota: elevation, cities and highest point
Minnesota has 5,830,405 people (2025) and 87 counties. Its highest point is Eagle Mountain, at 2,301 ft, and its lowest, Lake Superior, at 601 ft. Here you’ll find the elevation of its capital, its cities over 250,000 people and its summit, with a map of its counties.
By the Mapsfera Team
- Population (2025)
- 5,830,405
- The 22nd most populous of the 50 states
- Land area
- 79,632 sq mi
- The 14th largest state
- Counties
- 87
- According to the Census (2025)
- Lowest point
- 601 ft
- Lake Superior
Map of Minnesota’s counties
- Capital’s county
- County with a city page
- City, by elevation
- Highest point
Elevation
The capital, St. Paul, sits at 789 ft (240 m): the 18th highest of the 50 state capitals. Minnesota’s highest point, Eagle Mountain, is 237 mi away in a straight line and 1,512 ft higher.
Between its highest point (2,301 ft) and its lowest (601 ft) there’s 1,700 ft of relief, according to the USGS table. Of the 50 state high points, Minnesota’s is the 37th highest.
Minnesota has 2 cities with a page. The highest is Minneapolis, at 830 ft, and the lowest is St. Paul, at 789 ft: 41 ft apart.
Minnesota borders 4 states. Their highest points are White Butte, in North Dakota (3,506 ft), Black Elk Peak, in South Dakota (7,242 ft), Timms Hill, in Wisconsin (1,951 ft), and Hawkeye Point, in Iowa (1,670 ft): Minnesota’s is the 3rd highest of the 5. Their capitals: Bismarck (1,695 ft), Pierre (1,479 ft), Madison (875 ft), and Des Moines (872 ft).
- Eagle Mountain 2,301 ft
- Minneapolis 830 ft
- St. Paul 789 ft
Population
Minnesota had 5,830,405 residents on July 1, 2025, according to Census Bureau estimates, 2.2% more than in April 2020 (5,706,733). Across 79,632 sq mi of land, that’s 73 people/sq mi.
Its most populous place is Minneapolis, with 430,324 people. The Census counts 916 cities, towns and census-designated places (CDPs) in Minnesota.
| Place | Population | Land area | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis | 430,324 | 54.0 sq mi | 830 ft |
| St. Paul | 306,684 | 52.0 sq mi | 789 ft |
| Rochester | 124,292 | 56.8 sq mi | — |
| Bloomington | 89,034 | 34.7 sq mi | — |
| Duluth | 88,330 | 71.7 sq mi | — |
| Brooklyn Park | 83,543 | 26.1 sq mi | — |
| Woodbury | 81,558 | 34.9 sq mi | — |
| Lakeville | 79,270 | 36.9 sq mi | — |
| Plymouth | 78,942 | 32.7 sq mi | — |
| Blaine | 76,603 | 32.9 sq mi | — |
Neighboring states
Tools
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest point in Minnesota?
Eagle Mountain, at 2,301 ft, according to the USGS table. It’s the 37th highest of the 50 state high points.
What is the lowest point in Minnesota?
Lake Superior, at 601 ft, according to the same USGS table.
What is the elevation of St. Paul, the capital?
789 ft above sea level, at its reference point in the USGS gazetteer. It’s the 18th highest state capital.
What is the highest city in Minnesota?
Of the cities with a page (the capital and those over 250,000 people), Minneapolis, at 830 ft. Some smaller towns are higher: look them up with the point elevation tool.
How many counties does Minnesota have?
87, according to the Census Bureau in 2025.
Sources
- Population, land area and counties: U.S. Census Bureau (Vintage 2025 estimates and 2025 Gazetteer), public domain.
- Highest and lowest points: USGS, “Elevations and Distances in the United States” (and, for Denali, the 2015 survey), public domain.
- City elevations: USGS 3DEP at each city’s GNIS point, public domain.
- County map: U.S. Census Bureau, 2025 Cartographic Boundary Files (1:500,000).
Methodology and sources · Spotted a mistake? Let us know