Market rankings · Minnesota
Gyms in Minnesota
Markets across Minnesota ranked by the Groundwork market score for gyms, with competitor counts and household spending for each.
- Listings
- 1,948
- 773 chain locations (40%)
- Official establishments
- 748
- All fitness and recreational sports centers · −0.1% since 2019
- Household spending a year
- $2.5B
- On memberships, classes and admissions
- Listings per 10k households
- 8.4
- 11% above the U.S.
- Spending per listing
- $1.3M
- In line with the U.S.
- Rank among states
- #19 of 51
- Market score 54 · Upper middle
A site report maps the gyms on map listings around any address in Minnesota by name and distance, and the spending within reach.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
As of September 2026, map listings count 1,948 gyms in Minnesota. 773 of them (40%) are chain locations, against 28% across the U.S. That comes to 8.4 for every 10,000 households, 11% above the U.S. rate of 7.6.
Households in Minnesota spend about $2.5B a year on memberships, classes and admissions, or $1,085 per household, 10% above the U.S. average. That works out to $1.3M per gym, in line with the U.S. figure of $1.3M. That spending covers all memberships, classes and admissions, which gyms share with other businesses in the trade.
In 2023, official counts showed 748 businesses with payroll in Minnesota classed as fitness and recreational sports centers, down 0.1% from 2019. That is one for every 3,086 households, against one for every 3,109 across the U.S. Across the U.S., the count rose 5.8% over the same years. The official count takes in all fitness and recreational sports centers, not only gyms: yoga, Pilates and fitness studios are counted too. Since fiscal 2022, 154 SBA-backed loans worth $67.5M have gone to businesses classed as fitness and recreational sports centers in Minnesota.
Among the 50 states and DC, Minnesota ranks #19 for gyms, with a Groundwork market score of 54 (upper middle). Of the 9 scored metro areas in or partly in Minnesota, the Rochester metro area scores highest (68). Of the 19 scored small-town markets in or partly in Minnesota, the Brainerd area scores highest (72).
Every market in Minnesota for gyms
Download the ranking (CSV)Numbered by Groundwork market score among the markets based in Minnesota, highest first; the U.S. rank compares each market with every other of its kind. A metro area that crosses a state line is listed in each state it reaches, and numbered only in the state its page is under. How the score works.
Metro areas
| Market | Score | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Population growth | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Rochester, MN | 68 | 67 | 7.2 | $1.5M | +2.0% | #45 of 387 |
| 2Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 60 | 1,258 | 8.5 | $1.4M | +2.6% | #101 of 387 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | 53 | 87 | 7.9 | $1.2M | +7.7% | #160 of 387 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | 47 | 33 | 7.6 | $1.1M | +0.8% | #227 of 387 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | 43 | 121 | 9.9 | $977K | +9.5% | #262 of 387 |
| 3Duluth, MN-WI | 42 | 101 | 8.4 | $1M | +0.2% | #266 of 387 |
| 4Mankato, MN | 41 | 31 | 7.6 | $1.2M | +1.2% | #268 of 387 |
| 5St. Cloud, MN | 41 | 78 | 10.0 | $890K | +3.0% | #273 of 387 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | 29 | 65 | 9.0 | $964K | +0.4% | #351 of 387 |
Small-town markets
| Market | Score | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Population growth | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Brainerd, MN | 72 | 29 | 6.9 | $1.2M | +4.3% | #39 of 506 |
| 2Austin, MN | 69 | 11 | 7.0 | $1.2M | +2.3% | #55 of 506 |
| 3Fergus Falls, MN | 66 | 22 | 8.7 | $969K | +1.6% | #82 of 506 |
| 4Grand Rapids, MN | 64 | 12 | 6.5 | $1.2M | +0.9% | #104 of 506 |
| 5Owatonna, MN | 59 | 10 | 6.6 | $1.4M | +0.2% | #157 of 506 |
| 6Worthington, MN | 55 | 6 | 7.8 | $1M | +0.6% | #204 of 506 |
| Wahpeton, ND-MN | 55 | 8 | 8.4 | $1M | 0.0% | #206 of 506 |
| 7Faribault-Northfield, MN | 54 | 22 | 9.4 | $1M | +4.2% | #222 of 506 |
| 8Willmar, MN | 48 | 18 | 10.2 | $846K | +2.3% | #282 of 506 |
| 9Winona, MN | 47 | 16 | 7.9 | $1.1M | +1.8% | #285 of 506 |
| 10Albert Lea, MN | 47 | 10 | 7.8 | $1M | −1.5% | #286 of 506 |
| 11Detroit Lakes, MN | 46 | 19 | 13.2 | $652K | +0.9% | #305 of 506 |
| 12Marshall, MN | 44 | 11 | 10.9 | $806K | +1.0% | #327 of 506 |
| 13Red Wing, MN | 43 | 26 | 13.2 | $715K | +1.3% | #339 of 506 |
| 14Fairmont, MN | 42 | 5 | 5.7 | $1.3M | −2.8% | #340 of 506 |
| 15Bemidji, MN | 40 | 18 | 9.9 | $830K | +1.8% | #362 of 506 |
| 16Alexandria, MN | 40 | 23 | 13.1 | $696K | +2.6% | #365 of 506 |
| 17Hutchinson, MN | 39 | 17 | 11.2 | $812K | −0.3% | #373 of 506 |
| 18New Ulm, MN | 22 | 13 | 11.8 | $658K | −1.5% | #476 of 506 |
Counties
| Market | Score | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Population growth | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Scott County, MN | 84 | 34 | 6.2 | $2.3M | +5.1% | #39 of 1,792 |
| 2Isanti County, MN | 84 | 9 | 5.5 | $1.7M | +7.3% | #43 of 1,792 |
| 3Cass County, MN | 78 | 6 | 4.7 | $1.8M | +4.2% | #89 of 1,792 |
| 4Anoka County, MN | 77 | 99 | 7.2 | $1.6M | +4.7% | #104 of 1,792 |
| 5Chisago County, MN | 72 | 20 | 9.4 | $1.2M | +4.3% | #196 of 1,792 |
| 6Olmsted County, MN | 71 | 44 | 6.6 | $1.8M | +2.3% | #200 of 1,792 |
| 7Nicollet County, MN | 68 | 8 | 6.2 | $1.6M | −0.7% | #268 of 1,792 |
| 8Washington County, MN | 68 | 92 | 8.7 | $1.6M | +6.9% | #269 of 1,792 |
| 9Carver County, MN | 68 | 41 | 10.0 | $1.5M | +6.6% | #271 of 1,792 |
| 10Wabasha County, MN | 67 | 6 | 6.6 | $1.4M | +0.7% | #291 of 1,792 |
| 11Dakota County, MN | 67 | 151 | 8.7 | $1.4M | +3.9% | #292 of 1,792 |
| 12Sherburne County, MN | 66 | 29 | 8.2 | $1.4M | +6.8% | #319 of 1,792 |
| 13Morrison County, MN | 64 | 7 | 5.0 | $1.6M | +1.9% | #386 of 1,792 |
| 14Clay County, MN | 64 | 18 | 6.8 | $1.4M | +3.6% | #400 of 1,792 |
| 15Mower County, MN | 63 | 11 | 7.0 | $1.2M | +2.3% | #435 of 1,792 |
| 16Benton County, MN | 61 | 9 | 5.4 | $1.6M | +0.9% | #481 of 1,792 |
| 17Todd County, MN | 59 | 6 | 5.9 | $1.3M | +3.0% | #567 of 1,792 |
| 18Ramsey County, MN | 58 | 163 | 7.4 | $1.4M | −1.8% | #603 of 1,792 |
| 19Meeker County, MN | 58 | 6 | 6.4 | $1.3M | +0.7% | #611 of 1,792 |
| 20Otter Tail County, MN | 58 | 22 | 8.7 | $969K | +1.6% | #629 of 1,792 |
| 21Wright County, MN | 57 | 62 | 11.5 | $1M | +11.1% | #668 of 1,792 |
| 22Hennepin County, MN | 56 | 475 | 8.8 | $1.4M | +0.2% | #682 of 1,792 |
| 23Carlton County, MN | 55 | 11 | 7.8 | $1.1M | +1.4% | #733 of 1,792 |
| 24Crow Wing County, MN | 55 | 23 | 7.8 | $1.1M | +4.3% | #736 of 1,792 |
| 25Steele County, MN | 53 | 10 | 6.6 | $1.4M | +0.2% | #790 of 1,792 |
Show all 87 counties
| Market | Score | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Population growth | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26Houston County, MN | 53 | 6 | 7.4 | $1.3M | −2.3% | #799 of 1,792 |
| 27Itasca County, MN | 53 | 12 | 6.5 | $1.2M | +0.9% | #801 of 1,792 |
| 28Dodge County, MN | 50 | 8 | 9.9 | $1.1M | +2.3% | #926 of 1,792 |
| 29Rice County, MN | 48 | 22 | 9.4 | $1M | +4.2% | #997 of 1,792 |
| 30Polk County, MN | 46 | 9 | 7.3 | $1.2M | −1.8% | #1,050 of 1,792 |
| 31St. Louis County, MN | 46 | 78 | 9.0 | $932K | +0.2% | #1,069 of 1,792 |
| 32Nobles County, MN | 45 | 6 | 7.8 | $1M | +0.6% | #1,096 of 1,792 |
| 33Stearns County, MN | 45 | 69 | 11.2 | $802K | +3.6% | #1,115 of 1,792 |
| 34Sibley County, MN | 45 | 7 | 11.8 | $769K | +3.6% | #1,116 of 1,792 |
| 35Kandiyohi County, MN | 44 | 18 | 10.2 | $846K | +2.3% | #1,145 of 1,792 |
| 36Le Sueur County, MN | 44 | 15 | 12.9 | $803K | +2.9% | #1,148 of 1,792 |
| 37Mille Lacs County, MN | 43 | 11 | 10.3 | $788K | +4.8% | #1,178 of 1,792 |
| 38Becker County, MN | 42 | 19 | 13.2 | $652K | +0.9% | #1,209 of 1,792 |
| 39Winona County, MN | 40 | 16 | 7.9 | $1.1M | +1.8% | #1,233 of 1,792 |
| 40Lyon County, MN | 40 | 11 | 10.9 | $806K | +1.0% | #1,251 of 1,792 |
| 41Freeborn County, MN | 39 | 10 | 7.8 | $1M | −1.5% | #1,259 of 1,792 |
| 42Blue Earth County, MN | 39 | 23 | 8.3 | $1M | +2.1% | #1,261 of 1,792 |
| 43Fillmore County, MN | 39 | 9 | 10.3 | $824K | +1.4% | #1,278 of 1,792 |
| 44Goodhue County, MN | 39 | 26 | 13.2 | $715K | +1.3% | #1,284 of 1,792 |
| 45Martin County, MN | 37 | 5 | 5.7 | $1.3M | −2.8% | #1,315 of 1,792 |
| 46Faribault County, MN | 37 | 5 | 8.2 | $941K | −0.1% | #1,323 of 1,792 |
| 47McLeod County, MN | 36 | 17 | 11.2 | $812K | −0.3% | #1,359 of 1,792 |
| 48Beltrami County, MN | 35 | 18 | 9.9 | $830K | +1.8% | #1,393 of 1,792 |
| 49Douglas County, MN | 35 | 23 | 13.1 | $696K | +2.6% | #1,398 of 1,792 |
| 50Cottonwood County, MN | 29 | 5 | 10.8 | $764K | −1.0% | #1,517 of 1,792 |
| 51Lake County, MN | 27 | 5 | 10.1 | $792K | −1.6% | #1,566 of 1,792 |
| 52Pennington County, MN | 26 | 7 | 11.3 | $735K | −1.8% | #1,578 of 1,792 |
| 53Renville County, MN | 23 | 7 | 11.6 | $696K | −2.3% | #1,627 of 1,792 |
| 54Waseca County, MN | 23 | 9 | 12.0 | $676K | −1.5% | #1,630 of 1,792 |
| 55Koochiching County, MN | 20 | 7 | 11.9 | $672K | −3.7% | #1,666 of 1,792 |
| 56Chippewa County, MN | 20 | 7 | 13.7 | $568K | −1.6% | #1,667 of 1,792 |
| 57Brown County, MN | 18 | 13 | 11.8 | $658K | −1.5% | #1,688 of 1,792 |
| Pine County, MN | Not scored | 4 | 3.2 | $2.4M | +5.5% | |
| Hubbard County, MN | Not scored | 2 | 2.2 | $3.7M | +4.6% | |
| Kanabec County, MN | Not scored | 3 | 4.6 | $1.7M | +3.6% | |
| Aitkin County, MN | Not scored | 3 | 4.2 | $1.7M | +3.5% | |
| Redwood County, MN | Not scored | 4 | 6.4 | $1.2M | −1.0% | |
| Roseau County, MN | Not scored | 3 | 4.8 | $1.7M | −0.3% | |
| Wadena County, MN | Not scored | 2 | 3.3 | $2.1M | +1.9% | |
| Pope County, MN | Not scored | 3 | 6.1 | $1.4M | +0.8% | |
| Watonwan County, MN | Not scored | 2 | 4.7 | $1.8M | +2.0% | |
| Jackson County, MN | Not scored | 4 | 9.1 | $941K | −1.3% | |
| Swift County, MN | Not scored | 5 | 12.1 | $634K | −0.4% | |
| Stevens County, MN | Not scored | 5 | 12.9 | $714K | +0.8% | |
| Rock County, MN | Not scored | 8 | 19.8 | $435K | −1.7% | |
| Yellow Medicine County, MN | Not scored | 2 | 4.9 | $1.7M | −0.2% | |
| Pipestone County, MN | Not scored | 1 | 2.5 | $3.2M | −1.7% | |
| Marshall County, MN | Not scored | 5 | 13.2 | $579K | −2.5% | |
| Clearwater County, MN | Not scored | 2 | 6.0 | $1.3M | +1.0% | |
| Murray County, MN | Not scored | 2 | 5.5 | $1.5M | −2.9% | |
| Lac qui Parle County, MN | Not scored | 1 | 3.4 | $2.6M | +0.2% | |
| Wilkin County, MN | Not scored | 2 | 7.5 | $1M | −2.9% | |
| Norman County, MN | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | −1.6% | |
| Grant County, MN | Not scored | 6 | 24.1 | $352K | −0.1% | |
| Cook County, MN | Not scored | 4 | 14.8 | $591K | −1.4% | |
| Lincoln County, MN | Not scored | 2 | 8.2 | $993K | −0.7% | |
| Mahnomen County, MN | Not scored | 2 | 10.6 | $654K | −4.1% | |
| Big Stone County, MN | Not scored | 3 | 14.0 | $602K | −2.0% | |
| Kittson County, MN | Not scored | 3 | 16.9 | $525K | −3.7% | |
| Red Lake County, MN | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | +0.1% | |
| Lake of the Woods County, MN | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | 0.0% | |
| Traverse County, MN | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | −6.8% |
Markets with fewer than 5 gyms on map listings, and counties under 10,000 people, aren’t scored; they’re listed last in each table.
Questions
How many gyms are in Minnesota?
Minnesota has 1,948 gyms on map listings as of September 2026. 773 of them (40%) are chain locations. The listings count gyms and fitness centers. Official counts show 748 businesses with payroll classed as fitness and recreational sports centers in 2023, down 0.1% from 2019. That count covers all fitness and recreational sports centers (yoga, Pilates and fitness studios included), not only gyms.
How much do households in Minnesota spend on memberships, classes and admissions?
About $2.5B a year, or $1,085 per household. That is 10% above the U.S. average (an index of 110, where 100 is the U.S. average). Spread across the 1,948 gyms on map listings, it comes to $1.3M per gym. The spending figure covers all memberships, classes and admissions, not only gyms. It is estimated from the incomes of the 2,307,955 households in Minnesota and national spending patterns by income.
How does Minnesota compare with the U.S. for gyms?
Minnesota has 8.4 gyms per 10,000 households, 11% above the U.S. rate of 7.6. Spending per gym is $1.3M, in line with the U.S. figure of $1.3M. At the national ratio of gyms to household spending, Minnesota would have about 1,925, against 1,948 on map listings. There is one business with payroll in the industry for every 3,086 households, against one for every 3,109 across the U.S. The official count fell 0.1% from 2019 to 2023, against +5.8% for the U.S.
Which market in Minnesota has the highest market score for gyms?
Among 9 scored metro areas in or partly in Minnesota, the Rochester metro area scores highest, at 68 (upper middle). Among 19 scored small-town markets in or partly in Minnesota, the Brainerd area scores highest, at 72 (upper middle). Among 57 scored counties in Minnesota, Scott County scores highest, at 84 (high). Scores compare each market with others of its kind across the U.S.
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. Minnesota scores 54 for gyms (upper middle), #19 of the 50 states and DC.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in Minnesota. It maps the gyms on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
Gyms in other states
All 51 states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Top markets for gyms across the U.S. · All business types in Minnesota
Related business types in Minnesota
- Gyms, studios and classes3,391 listings
- Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios476 listings
- Martial arts and dance studios967 listings
Screening a site or an acquisition in Minnesota?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.