Today’s column (gift link) dives into a surprising, and very welcome, piece of good news for those of us who live in rural Minnesota communities. The Center for Rural Policy and Development issued its “State of Rural 2026” report last week, which shows a slight increase in population across most rural Minnesota counties, along with wage growth.
The numbers support something you will notice in greater Minnesota, including along the Iron Range where I live. Sure, people complain about decline. You’ll see some decrepit old buildings and the news isn’t all hunky-dory. But at the same time, when you go to see a doctor, visit a business, or pop into a government building, school or public event, you’re starting to see younger professionals doing a lot of the work.
This isn’t some fancy breakthrough. It’s normally generational turnover, and it’s a very good thing for rural Minnesota. Here, such change had been developing more slowly after the economic shock of the 1980s. Thanks to high-speed internet and the rise of remote work, small towns attract high-level work that compliments existing industry.
So, what do we do with this information? Today, I argue that we recognize this one-time opportunity to reinvigorate our communities while other challenges loom ahead. This is a time for building communities that can last storms.
Read “Positive trends defy trope of decline in greater Minnesota,” in the Wednesday, March 25, 2026 edition of the Minnesota Star Tribune.
Aaron J. Brown is a columnist and member of the editorial board for the Minnesota Star Tribune. His new book about Hibbing Mayor Victor Power and his momentous fight against the world’s largest corporation will be out soon.
