Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The Rochester Metropolitan Area is getting close to cracking the “top 200.”

The latest population estimates from the U.S. Census put the population of the metropolitan area, which covers Olmsted, Dodge and Wabasha Counties, at 218,280 people as of July 1st of last year. That’s up one-percent, or about 2800 people from the previous year and raised the local metropolitan area’s ranking from 205th to the 203rd largest in the nation.

The new Census numbers estimate the population grew 1.1-percent during the 12 months leading up to last July 1st. The report estimates the county’s population, which is the 9th largest in Minnesota, grew by 1747 people to 154,930. Since the last Census was conducted in 2010, Olmsted County has added almost 10,700 residents for a growth rate of 7.5-percent.

Get local and national news on the go.  Download our News-Talk 1340 KROC-AM App http://krocam.com/app/ – available on Apple and Android devices.

More From Quick Country 96.5