Minnesota

Minnesota is the 32nd state of the United States, having joined the Union on May 11, 1858.

Demographics

As of 2004, the state's population was estimated to be 5,100,958 (1.75% of the total national population), the population had increased 725,000 since 1990, or 16.6% (compared to 18.5% for the nation). 6.1% of Minnesota residents are foreign-born (compared to 11.1% for the nation)

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Most of the state's population is centered in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

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Race

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The racial makeup of the state:

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• 88.2% White
• 3.5% Black
• 2.9% Hispanic
• 2.9% Asian
• 1.1% Native American
• 1.4% Mixed race

Ethnic groups/Ancestry groups

Minnesotans traditionally consider themselves as Nordic descent (approximately 1.5 million people, 30% of the population, claim Danish, Finnish, Norwegian or Swedish ancestry), though more families originated in Germany (approximately 2 million people, 40% of the population). More than 8 out of 10 whites in Minnesota are at least partially of German or Scandinavian descent according to the 2000 Census. Numerous other ancestry groups are also present, including Scottish, British, Irish, and Polish/Slavic.

Related Topics:
Nordic - Danish - Finnish - Norwegian - Swedish - Originated in Germany - British

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More recent immigrant communities include the third-largest Hmong population in the United States (from the Laos/Thailand/Vietnam region) and the second largest urban center of Hmong population in the world (concentrated in St. Paul), and a large community of Somali refugees.

Related Topics:
Hmong - Laos - Thailand - Vietnam - Somali

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Population distribution

The population distribution by age is (Northeast Midwest Institute):

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• 0-18 - 1,361,616 (27.7%)
• 19-34 - 1,068,850 (21.7%)
• 35-64 - 1,894,747 (38.6%)
• 65+ - 594,266 (12.1%)

Religion

Most Minnesotans (Nearly 6 in 10) are Protestants (mostly mainline Protestant), although there is also a moderate-sized Roman Catholic community (about one-fourth of the state population). The largest Protestant denomination in the state is Lutheranism.

Related Topics:
Protestant - Mainline Protestant - Roman Catholic - Lutheranism

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In recent years, new immigrants have added new religions to Minnesota, and there are now Islamic mosques, Buddhist temples, and Hindu mandirs in the state (mainly in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area), however the number of Minnesotans who adhere to non-Christian religions is still low.

Related Topics:
Islamic - Mosques - Buddhist - Temple - Hindu - Mandir - Minneapolis-St. Paul

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Religious Affiliations in Minnesota:

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• Christian – 84%
• Protestant – 58%
• Lutheran – 26%
• Baptist – 5%
• Methodist – 4%
• Presbyterian – 3%
• Other Protestant – 20%
• Roman Catholic – 25%
• Other Christian – 1%
• Other religions – 1%
• Not religious/Agnostic – 15%