Dying death rates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the suburbs are so 2001. Several counties in Minnesota, mostly in the metro area, used to be among the fastest growing in the country. Not anymore. Figures released today show suburban counties are still growing faster than the rest of the state, but not at the breakneck speed of yesteryear.

Meanwhile, in a study that got less attention this week, it turns out that Minnesotans aren’t dying at the rate they did earlier this decade, either.

The city slicker will conclude that this means that moving to the suburbs can kill you, but the two studies aren’t related.

According to the State Demographic Center, the Minnesota death rate has dropped 11 percent from 2001, with the largest rate declining coming in people 65 and over.