 Minneapolis and Saint Paul are collectively known as the " Twin Cities " . The cities enjoyed a rivalry during their early years , with Saint Paul being the capital city and Minneapolis becoming prominent through industry . The term " Twin Cities " was coined around 1872 , after a newspaper editorial suggested that Minneapolis could absorb Saint Paul . Residents decided that the cities needed a separate identity , so people coined the phrase " Dual Cities " , which later evolved into " Twin Cities " . Today , Minneapolis is the largest city in Minnesota , with a population of 382 @,@ 618 in the 2000 census . Saint Paul is the second largest city , with a population of 287 @,@ 151 . Minneapolis and Saint Paul anchor a metropolitan area with a population of 2 @,@ 968 @,@ 806 as of 2000 , with a total state population of 4 @,@ 919 @,@ 479 . 
