Riverfront overview:

Demographic profile

Population change along the Minneapolis riverfront


The Minneapolis Riverfront has seen a strong uptick in population over the last decade and a half (see numbers at right). That population growth has been driven by the extensive construction of new residential units in the Central Riverfront, which includes both the North Loop and Mill Quarter downtown, as well as an increase in student housing near the University of Minnesota.

*Per Census Bureau guidelines, the “2011 ACS Estimate” is used as shorthand for the 2009-2013 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates. Unlike the decennial 2000 and 2010 Census, the Census Bureau’s 2009-2013 ACS data relies on margins of error to compensate for sampling. Margin of error calculated based on margin of error reported for census block groups combined in each part of the river. For the Upper River, margin of error is +/- 730 people; for Central Riverfront, margin of error is +/- 1,267 people; for Lower Gorge, margin of error is +/- 514 people.

Source: United States Census Bureau.

Population change along Minneapolis riverfront

2%

2010-2011*

11%

2000-2011*

Per capita income change in constant dollars, 1999-2011*

The surprising demographic data is the shift in per capita income in the Lower Gorge area of the riverfront. The Lower Gorge area saw a significant uptick in student housing in the last ten years. This housing brought people with lower incomes to the area, thus driving the average per capita income down.


*Per Census Bureau guidelines, the “2011 ACS Estimate” is used as shorthand for the 2009-2013 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates.

Source: United States Census Bureau. 2000 Decennial Census provided 1999 figures, while 2009-2013 American Community Survey provided 2011 figures. Inflation adjusted to represent 2013 dollars.

Per capita income in the Lower Gorge

14%

2001-2011*, inflation adjusted