Minority Population Growing in Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - For the first time, racial and ethnic minorities make up more than half the children born in the U.S.

The Census Bureau reports children younger than 1 who are minority has tipped past the 50 percent mark. In Minnesota, minorities make up about 28 percent of those younger than 1.

State demographer Susan Brower says diversity in Minnesota has been increasing at much the same rate as the U.S. overall, but the state began at a much lower level.

Minorities make up the majority of the under age 5 population in three Minnesota counties - Ramsey, Mahnomen and Nobles. While Mahnomen County has long been predominantly American Indian, Ramsey and Nobles counties have attracted minorities to work in the agriculture industry.

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