profile data sources
A variety of sources were used to compile the the data found in Minnesota Compass' geographic profiles.
Data for some topics does not exist at all levels of geography. In addition, sources may differ across geographies or years within the same topic because Minnesota Compass seeks to provide the best available data for each community or comparison. For more detailed source information, links to original data, notes, and error margins, please see "data and notes" under the dropdown menu labeled view found on the key measure graph in the relevant topic area.
Demographics
- Total population
U.S. Census Bureau, Intercensal estimates and decennial census. - Total population, Of Color
Source for cities: In years without a decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. Source for all other geographies: U.S. Census Bureau, intercensal estimates and decennial census. - Percent of people 65+
U.S. Census Bureau, Intercensal estimates and decennial census.
- Percent with bachelor's degree or higher
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. - Median household income
Source for state of Minnesota and cities: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. Source for regions: Integrated Public Use Microdata Series from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. Source for counties: U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates. - Percentage of people living in poverty
Source for cities and state of Minnesota: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. Source for counties and regions: U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates. - Percent of people with one or more disabilities
Integrated Public Use Microdata Series from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey
Aging
- Residents that volunteered in the past year, 65+
Current Population Survey, Volunteer Supplement, conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau for the Bureau of Labor Statistics. - Median household income per older adult, 65+
Integrated Public Use Microdata Series from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. - Percent with a disability, 65+
Integrated Public Use Microdata Series from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey.
Children and youth
- Child population (0-19)
U.S. Census Bureau, intercensal estimates and decennial census.
Students connected to a caring adult in the community
Minnesota Departments of Education, Health, Human Services and Public Safety, Minnesota Student Survey. Custom data tables and cross-tabulations provided by the Minnesota Department of Health, MN Center for Health Statistics. - Students highly engaged in enrichment activities
Minnesota Departments of Education, Health, Human Services and Public Safety, Minnesota Student Survey. Custom data tables and cross-tabulations provided by the Minnesota Department of Health, MN Center for Health Statistics.
Civic Engagement
- Percent who rate their area as “Outstanding” in ability to work together
Minnesota State Survey, conducted by the Minnesota Center for Survey Research. - Percent believing people can have a “big impact” on improving their community
Minnesota State Survey, conducted by the Minnesota Center for Survey Research. - Percent of residents (16+) that volunteered in the past year
Current Population Survey, Volunteer Supplement, conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau for the Bureau of Labor Statistics. - Voting-age turnout
Minnesota Secretary of State for number of voters, and U.S. Census Bureau, intercensal estimates and decennial census for population.
Early Childhood
- Percent age of low-weight births among single births
Minnesota Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics. - Percentage of children screened who were under age 5
Minnesota Department of Education, Early Learning Services, Early Childhood Screening Reports.
Economy and Workforce
- Real per capita income
U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Census and U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. Adjustment for inflation: Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank, CPI Calculator (CPI-U).. - Annual percent change in real GDP
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Economic Accounts. - Proportion of adults who are employed, 16-64
Source for regions (excluding Twin Cities Region): Integrated Public Use Microdata Series from the U.S. Census Bureau. Source for all other geographies: U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Census and U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey.
Education
- Percentage of 3rd graders proficient in reading
Minnesota Department of Education, Data downloads. - 9th grade average attendance
Minnesota Department of Education, Data downloads. - Percentage of 11th grade students who are proficient in math
Minnesota Department of Education, Data downloads. - Graduation rate (on-time)
Minnesota Department of Education, Data downloads.
Environment
-
Percentage of days the AQI (Air Quality Index) was Good (0 to 50)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agenc, AirData Air Quality Index Report. - Gross emissions (MtCO2e)
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. - Percentage of high-quality, natural land that is protected
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. - Percentage of lakes that are fully-supporting
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Health
- Percentage of adults with diagnosed diabetes
Source for state of Minnesota: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Source for all other geographies: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Diabetes Surveillance System. - Percentage of adults who are obese
Source for state of Minnesota: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Source for all other geographies: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Diabetes Surveillance System. - Percentage of residentswho areuninsured, Under 65
Source for all Minnesota counties and all regions: U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAHIE) program. Source for all other geographies: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. - Rate of psychiatric hospital admissions per 1,000
Minnesota Hospital Association. U.S. Census Bureau, Intercensal estimates for calculating rates.
Housing
- Share of all households paying 30% or more of income for housing
U.S. Census Bureau, decennial census and U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. - Homeownership gap
U.S. Census Bureau, decennial census and U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. - Homeownership rate
U.S. Census Bureau, decennial census and U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. - Homelessness rate per 10,000 residents
Wilder Research, Minnesota Statewide Survey of People without Shelter. U.S. Census Bureau, intercensal estimates for calculating rates.
Immigration
- Percent foreign bornU.S. Census Bureau, decennial census and Integrated Public Use Microdata Series from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey.
Public safety
- Proportion of adults indicating crime victimization in past year, Property and violent crime
Minnesota State Survey, conducted by the Minnesota Center for Survey Research. - Serious crime rate per 100,000
Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Uniform Crime Reports. U.S. Census Bureau, decennial census and intercensal estimates for calculating rates. - Proportion feeling unsafe walking on their street after dark
Minnesota State Survey, conducted by the Minnesota Center for Survey Research.
Transportation
- Rate of traffic fatalities and injuries per 100,000
Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Office of Traffic Safety. U.S. Census Bureau, intercensal estimates for calculating rates. - Percentage of bridges deficient or obsolete
Minnesota Department of Transportation, Bridge Office.
Ask a Researcher
Annual population estimates tell stories
Annual Population Estimates of the U.S. by age, sex, race, and ethnicity at all geography levels augment the decennial census. It turns out a lot can happen between one census and the next! Compass researcher Megan Chmielewski shares some interesting patterns the estimates bring to light.
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