Data for Equity

We track data on race and ethnicity to help better understand the strengths, needs, and quality of life of diverse groups in our communities, and the differences and disparities among those groups.

We developed data profiles for 27 of the largest cultural communities in Minnesota, including African American, Chinese, Ethiopian, Filipino, Hmong, Indian, Korean, Mexican, Native American, Somali, Vietnamese, and more, based on a combination of self-reported race, ancestry, birthplace, and parental characteristics.

Nearly half a million immigrants call Minnesota home, a population that includes citizens and non-citizens, students and workers, and refugees who fled their home countries. Immigration will continue to shape our communities for generations to come.

We track demographic and disparities data by sex to better understand key indicators of quality of life and equity for all of Minnesota’s residents.

Local, state, tribal, and federal agencies use data to plan and fund programs for people with different abilities and disabilities to provide health care, social support, and other services; evaluate government programs and policies to ensure they fairly and equitably serve the needs of all groups, and enforce laws, regulations, and policies against discrimination. 

What is the probability two people selected at random would be from different racial and ethnic groups? Minnesota Compass compares diversity in Minnesota's counties in 2010 and 2020 and the percent of change between those two years.

Our mncompass.org users frequently ask Compass staff if they can get more data on a specific demographic group not represented on our website. Research Associate Anne Li shares three things to know about our demographic data and why it can be difficult to retrieve specific data.