New projection shows greater growth for minorities by 2035
If demographic projections for Minnesota’s minority population are correct, the state will experience significant growth in the number of students of color who will be available to graduate from high school and attend college. By the year 2035, the minority population will grow to almost one-quarter of the total population in Minnesota. This is a new projection, extending beyond the previously used 2020 time horizon; it draws from the latest analysis from the Minnesota State Demographic Center.
The largest population increases are expected among Hispanics who will see a 180% increase from 2005 to 2035. Asian/Pacific Islanders, African Americans and people of two or more races will also show significant growth — about 100% for each group. The American Indian/Alaska native population will grow by 13%. The lowest projected change will be in the white population which will grow just 8% between 2005 and 2035.
Other projections have indicated that Minnesota’s economy will experience a significant need for educated workers to meet new technological and professional workforce demands and replace retiring workers. The state will depend upon its educated population to help support its economy. However, high school graduation rates among minority groups of students are low. During the 2006-2007 school year, just 42% of African American and Hispanic students graduated from high school in four years. College preparedness rates are also low for students from all racial/ethnic groups. If these percentages remain constant, a growing number of Minnesotans will be unprepared to meet the demands of our workforce.
These expected population and economic changes will provide new opportunities and new challenges. As we look into the future, it will become ever more important to address the issue of academic success for all of our students. View more state-related analysis from the Research Foundation. And for examples of what others are already doing today to address this challenge, visit LearnmoreMN.