Insights Archives

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Looking at the Twin Cities' well-being through a new lens

Former Compass Project Director Craig Helmstetter uses a humanities-based framework developed by Thriving Cities, to look at the well-being of the greater Minneapolis and Saint Paul area.
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6 things you should know about poverty in Minnesota: Myth-busters edition

Former Minnesota Compass Project Director Craig Helmstetter uses new poverty estimates from the Census Bureau to bust commonly-accepted myths about poverty in Minnesota.
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Measuring community-level change: 5 post-rail highlights

The newly released Central Corridor Tracker and Big Picture Project reports measure the impact of light rail on neighborhoods along University Avenue between downtown

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What have we learned from 30 years of studying homelessness in Minnesota?

Wilder Research completed its first study of homelessness in St. Paul in 1984. At that time, homelessness had become more prevalent due to recession, closing of psychiatric hospitals, demolition of inferior housing as part of federal urban renewal, and reductions in federal funding.
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What is the right question to resolve the early learning debate?

What is the right question to help resolve the debate about universal preschool? Dr. Richard Chase, senior research manager at Wilder Research, weighs in. Dr. Chase is the author of a new policy brief, Championing Early Childhood Policies that Prevent Social, Economic, and Educational Inequities.
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Promoting a talented, diverse workforce

GREATER MSP has the mission of accelerating job growth and capital investment for the Minneapolis-Saint Paul 16-county region. We asked CEO Michael Langley to provide his insights on the region's ability to develop, attract, and retain a diverse workforce.

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Addressing 3 "social determinants" of education

Generation Next aims to close opportunity and achievement gaps for students of color in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Minnesota Compass compiled indicators for the project which show some of the largest racial gaps in the state.

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The Minnesota Paradox

The Atlantic joined a long list of media which, throughout the past few decades, have heralded Minnesota’s high quality of life. However, a careful, more detailed look at the data reveals what’s called the “Minnesota Paradox.” Wilder Research Executive Director and Compass Governance chair explains.

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Minnesota on the move: Examining migration patterns

The state demographer's office recently analyzed patterns of migration to better understand who is moving to Minnesota and who is moving away. State Demographer Susan Brower highlights some key findings, and gives her insight about what they mean.