New data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows most of the most recent population growth in Minnesota comes from people of color.
While 4.4 million of Minnesota’s 5.2 million residents are white, figures show 87 percent of population growth last year came from people who are African-American, Asian, American Indian or Hispanic.
Minnesota State Demographic Center Assistant Director Andi Egbert told Minnesota Public Radio News the growth comes from a combination of immigration and higher birth rates in those population segments.
“We see the real engines of growth are coming from our populations of color,” Egbert said. “I think that is a surprise to people, just how dramatic the growth is among populations of color.”