Welcome to St. Paul, population 300,000-plus.

The city of St. Paul has surpassed the 300,000 mark for the first time since the 1970s, according to population estimates from the Metropolitan Council released Wednesday.

The city’s new estimated population is 300,353, which is a 5.4 percent increase from 2010 to 2015, and it ranks among the metro cities that attracted the most new residents over that period.

Mayor Chris Coleman called the new population mark “an incredible milestone” for the city.

“It affirms the work we’ve done to build vibrancy and attract families and businesses to our city — and it underscores that our focus on equity as we continue to grow is critically important for all who choose to call Saint Paul home,” Coleman said in a statement.

St. Paul’s population peak was an estimated 313,411 residents in 1960.

Minneapolis grew 7.8 percent over the period, bringing its population total up to about 413,000, according to Met Council estimates.

Some other metro cities with larger growth than St. Paul over the five years include Blaine, now with an estimated 63,180 residents, a 10.5 percent increase; Woodbury, 66,974 residents, an 8.1 percent increase; Lakeville, 59,991 residents, a 7.2 percent increase; and Brooklyn Park, with 80,215 residents, a 5.9 percent increase.

The preliminary data from the Met Council confirm U.S. Census data showing the seven-county metro population now totals more than 3 million people. Since the 2010 census, the seven-county metro has grown by more than 155,000 — or 5.4 percent, estimates show.

“The region’s steady growth reflects our diversified, competitive economy, and low unemployment,” Met Council Chair Adam Duininck said in a prepared statement.

The U.S. Census Bureau’s 2015 population estimates will be released next week.