Although Minnesota has less than 1/3rd the population of New York state, it leads the nation in searches for the term "hipster." Understanding why is easy.
The typical Williamsburg hipster is essentially trying to portray the appearance of a Minnesotan. Don't believe me?
Exhibit A: The Lumberjack Look
photo via twotaptrio
Exhibit B: Live Theatre
Excerpt from Wikipedia:
The region is second only to New York City in live theater per capita and is the third-largest theater market in the U.S., supporting the Jungle, Mixed Blood, Skewed Visions, Penumbra theaters, the Brave New Workshop, Theater Latté Da and the Children's Theatre Company.
Exhibit C: Food Co-Ops and Farmers' Markets
Minnesotans have valued buying local produce before it was trendy.

Image via: LiveGreenTwinCities
Exhibits D-H: Bob Dylan, Prince, Soul Asylum, Hüsker Dü, Atmosphere





Exhibit I: Bike Obsession
Exhibit J: Juno
Remember Juno? Michael Cera and Ellen Page together in an indie twee fest? Yeah. That was set in Minnesota.