In 2024, 12% of Minnesotans reported having a disability, including hearing difficulty, vision difficulty, cognitive difficulty, ambulatory difficulty, self-care difficulty, and independent living difficulty.  Local, state, tribal, and federal agencies use disability data to plan and fund programs for people with 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. We track data on disabilities to better understand and support the needs of Minnesota’s residents with disabilities.

Fast facts

700,000 Minnesotans

About 12% of the state’s population have at least one disability.
12 %
1% to 59%

Disability rates are higher among older age groups, ranging from less than 1% of young children to 59% of older adults age 85+.

1 in 5 Minnesotans with a disability lives below poverty

20% of Minnesotans with a disability live below poverty, more than double the statewide poverty rate.
20 %