Fast facts about the Latino community in Minnesota

While Minnesota’s total population grew modestly between 1990 and 2000 (from approximately 4.38 million to 4.92 million, or 12 percent), the Hispanic/Latino population grew sharply (from approximately 54,000 to 143,000, or 168 percent). “The Hispanic/Latino Population in Minnesota: 2000.” Published by the Chicano Latino Affairs Council. Available at

*Most Hispanic/Latino people were U.S. born citizens. In 2000, almost 60 percent of Hispanic/Latino people in Minnesota were U.S. born citizens. Another 8 percent were naturalized citizens. “The Hispanic/Latino Population in Minnesota: 2000.” Published by the Chicano Latino Affairs Council. Available at

Minnesota ranks among the top ten states in the country in terms of growth rate of Latino buying power. Latino buying power in Minnesota grew 502.9% from 1990 to 2003 (Source: Selig Center). “Fast Facts on Latino Buying Power.” Compiled by Catie Almirall at HACER (Hispanic Advocacy and Community Empowerment through Research).

Buying power of Latinos across Minnesota rose from $516 million in 1990 to $3.1 billion in 2003 (Source: The Business Journal). “Fast Facts on Latino Buying Power.” Compiled by Catie Almirall at HACER (Hispanic Advocacy and Community Empowerment through Research).

Buying power of Latinos in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area was over $1.25 billion in 2000 (Source: CLAC). “Fast Facts on Latino Buying Power.” Compiled by Catie Almirall at HACER (Hispanic Advocacy and Community Empowerment through Research).

In 1997, 24 Minnesota counties had Latino buying power of over 10 million dollars each. The cities with the highest Latino buying power were Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Willmar, Rochester, Bloomington, Worthington, and Richfield (Source: Emerging Market Series) “Fast Facts on Latino Buying Power.” Compiled by Catie Almirall at HACER (Hispanic Advocacy and Community Empowerment through Research).

The median household income of Latino households in Minnesota in 2000 was $35,933. The figure was higher ($39,300) in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area (Source: CLAC). “Fast Facts on Latino Buying Power.” Compiled by Catie Almirall at HACER (Hispanic Advocacy and Community Empowerment through Research).

LCN’s Readership Study In 2006, LCN asked Western Publications Research to perform a Readership Study in the Twin Cities. This readership study gave us important information about the Latino Community in the Twin Cities and their Health concerns.

LCN’s Readership study The readership study found that 38% of our readers are female and 63% male. Only 14% are US born Citizens 74% of them are from Mexican origin, 3% Puerto Rican, 5% Central American, 5% South American and the rest from other Hispanic-Latino Origin.

LCN’s Readership Study 91% of them are between 18 and 49 years of age, 65% are between 30 and 49; and only 8% of them are 50 years old or older. That same study showed that 49% of them are married, 38% single, 12 divorced and 1% widowed.

LCN’s Readership Study That same study showed that only 63% of Latinos in the Twin Cities have medical insurance or any kind of insurance.

Health Care and the Latino Community A growing problem

Lack of health insurance and preventative healthcare are key problems in the Latino community. Worry over cost and stigma often make health issues worse, while language, culture, and social perception are barriers to receiving proper healthcare.

The most prevalent healthcare concerns Latinos face range from lack of insurance to awareness.

A big number of Latinos come from countries with no or limited Health Care access. They are not aware of the benefits of preventive care and don’t look for medical attention until they feel ill or the situation is grave.

Recently arrived Latinos are eager to try homemade remedies before looking for a Doctor or a clinic to treat them. The reasons vary from cultural issues to lack of medical insurance.

A recent study found that nearly 38% of Latinos are uninsured and the number is growing.

Language is one of the biggest barriers for Latinos. Some of them are afraid to ask for service because they don’t know if they will be able to communicate their symptoms and if the person treating them will understand what they are trying to communicate

A big amount of Latinos don’t have access to health insurance because they work for Temporary Agencies and have no health benefits.

Obesity, diabetes, tooth decay and the risk for infectious diseases are major health concerns among Latinos

According to information provided by CLUES, nearly 90% of the Latinos treated by them for Chemical Dependency are males.

60% of the people treated by the CLUES Family Welfare Program are women.

Nationally, 21.9 percent of Hispanics lived in poverty, with median income from for Latinos $34,299, lower than any other ethnic group, and well below the national median income of $44,473 for that same time period. In 2004, nearly 46 million Americans were without health insurance, 15.7 percent of the population. The uninsured rate for Hispanics was 32.7 percent, 13.7 million people. Over 21 percent of Hispanic children were uninsured, compared to 11.2 percent for all children.