Is Minnesota really average? The state ranks 23rd of 51 when taking the average of 65 measures in the latest Census data from 2007.
That lands us right in the middle of all the states, plus the District of Columbia. But a closer look shows we're more accurately a state of extremes — sort of like our winters.
We rank high on things like income, education and home ownership. We rank low on other measures. But some of our low numbers — for instance, being 44th in the percentage of people living below the poverty level — are actually positive. Our "worst" ranking is having the lowest percentage of any state of people 65 and older with a disability.
Averaging the highs, the lows and a bunch of measures where we truly are "just average" results in our middle-of-the-pack status.
Take a look at the numbers and decide for yourself: Average? Or a cut above?
Housing
Best in the nation: More people own their own home — 75 percent compared to national average of 67 percent.
Average monthly costs for renters at $711, but slightly higher-than-average costs for mortgage-holders, $1,500.
Below-average percent of housing units that are mobile homes, 4 percent.
Income and employment
Tied for best in the nation: 81 percent of people age 16 to 64 in the work force. The national average is 74 percent.
Fourth in the nation: 63 percent of married couples both work. The national average is 53 percent.
Above-average median household income, $55,802.
Below-average percentage of people working in service industries, 16 percent; above-average in professional industries, 22 percent.
Below-average percentage of people in poverty, 10 percent.
Lowest in the nation: 35 percent of people 65 and older have a disability. The national average is 41 percent.
Education
Tied for best in the nation: 91 percent of adults have a high school diploma. The national average is 85 percent.
Above-average percentage of adults with a bachelor's degree, 31 percent.
Average percentage of adults with an advanced degree, 10 percent.
Family life
Seventh in the nation: 52 percent of households are married-couple families. The national average is 50 percent.
Slightly better-than-average ratio of single men to single women, 115 to 100.
Average percentage of grandparents who take care of their grandchildren, 44 percent.
Below-average number of people per household, 2.45 people.
Transportation
Sixth in the nation: 36 percent of workers live in one county and work in another. The national average is 28 percent.
Average percentage of people who take public transportation, 3 percent.
Below-average commute times to work, 22.3 minutes.
Diversity
Eighty-eight percent of the population is white. The national average is 74 percent. That means we rank 39th in diversity.
Average percentage of people who are foreign born, 7 percent.
Average percentage of people who speak a language other than English at home, 10 percent.
Information from:
www.TwinCities.com
Article by By Mary Jo Webster