Minneapolis leads Twin Cities population growth as metro area tops 2.9 million. Minneapolis' estimated population is now 392,008. New census information shows that Minneapolis' population grew by 9,430 between 2010 and 2012, bringing the city's estimated population to 392,008. Overall, the Twin Cities metro area has gained about 59,000 people since 2010, up to 2.9 million, says the Metropolitan Council. St. Paul, the state's second largest city, grew by 4,202 over the two years to 289,270. That's also part of a national trend of movement into major metro areas.