This 'Redistricting' version of the census data is the first release of the data.

This 2020 census redistricting geography database of the 7 county metropolitan area and the additional 12 collar county area was developed from the U.S. Census Bureau's Redistricting Census 2020 TIGER/Line files.

The Metropolitan Council downloaded this data from the Census Bureau's FTP site and created block, block group, tract, county subdivision (city), and county datasets from the original data. The block dataset was updated on Jan. 12, 2023 to add new Census Bureau urban and rural designations.

This dataset consists of housing unit, household, and population estimates for census tracts, census block groups, Transportation Analysis Zones (TAZs), school districts, and ZIP codes in the Twin Cities Region. These data provide a more precise and timely picture of current conditions than the American Community Survey, another source of small area data that is better suited for statistics like percentages and averages than for actual counts. It may be possible to calculate estimates for other small areas upon request; contact Research@metc.state.mn.us for more information.

The American Community Survey (ACS) provides detailed demographic, social, economic, commuting and housing statistics based on continuous survey data collection. Data collected over the most recent 5 years are batched, summarized and published the following December.

These files contain summary data for Census Block Groups (CensusACSBlockGroup.xlsx), Tracts (CensusACSTract.xlsx), minor civil divisions (CensusACSMCD.xlsx), school districts (CensusACSSchoolDistrict.xlsx), and ZIP code tabulation areas (CensusACSZipCode.xlsx). No shapefiles are included, but these data files can be joined to associated shapefile datasets available elsewhere on this site. To facilitate this, the data files are also available as DBF tables and in a geodatabase.

Starting with the 2016-2020 data, tract and block group boundaries are those used in the 2020 Census. Starting with the 2017-2021 data, ZIP Code Tabulation Areas are those defined based on the 2020 Census. If you need the most recent ACS data for the tract and block group boundaries used in the 2010 Census, contact Matt Schroeder (information below).

The Lawrence Group, under contract with Metropolitan Council, created a 1990 Census Bureau block polygon dataset for the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington Counties). This dataset is coincident with and developed using the TLG Street Centerline and Landmarks databases where 1990 block boundaries fall on those features. For those block boundaries that are defined by features not included in TLG databases, TLG used other digital resources to generate these boundaries, such as orthophotography or additional features from city and county GIS databases. TLG used it's best judgement to digitize block boundaries when the block boundaries followed nonvisible features or street extensions.

This is a MetroGIS Regionally Endorsed dataset.

The Bureau of the Census has released Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF1) 100-Percent data. The file includes the following population items: sex, age, race, Hispanic or Latino origin, household relationship, and household and family characteristics. Housing items include occupancy status and tenure (whether the unit is owner or renter occupied). SF1 does not include information on incomes, poverty status, overcrowded housing or age of housing. These topics will be covered in Summary File 3. Data are available for states, counties, county subdivisions, places, census tracts, block groups, and, where applicable, American Indian and Alaskan Native Areas and Hawaiian Home Lands. The SF1 data are available on the Bureau's web site and may be retrieved from American FactFinder as tables, lists, or maps. Users may also download a set of compressed ASCII files for each state via the Bureau's FTP server. There are over 8000 data items available for each geographic area. The full listing of these data items is available here as a downloadable compressed data base file named TABLES.ZIP. The uncompressed is in FoxPro data base file (dbf) format and may be imported to ACCESS, EXCEL, and other software formats. While all of this information is useful, the Office of Community Planning and Development has downloaded selected information for all states and areas and is making this information available on the CPD web pages. The tables and data items selected are those items used in the CDBG and HOME allocation formulas plus topics most pertinent to the Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS), the Consolidated Plan, and similar overall economic and community development plans. The information is contained in five compressed (zipped) dbf tables for each state. When uncompressed the tables are ready for use with FoxPro and they can be imported into ACCESS, EXCEL, and other spreadsheet, GIS and database software. The data are at the block group summary level. The first two characters of the file name are the state abbreviation. The next two letters are BG for block group. Each record is labeled with the code and name of the city and county in which it is located so that the data can be summarized to higher-level geography. The last part of the file name describes the contents . The GEO file contains standard Census Bureau geographic identifiers for each block group, such as the metropolitan area code and congressional district code. The only data included in this table is total population and total housing units. POP1 and POP2 contain selected population variables and selected housing items are in the HU file. The MA05 table data is only for use by State CDBG grantees for the reporting of the racial composition of beneficiaries of Area Benefit activities. The complete package for a state consists of the dictionary file named TABLES, and the five data files for the state. The logical record number (LOGRECNO) links the records across tables.

Which Twin Cities Metro census tracts are cost-burdened? The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development states that housing is “affordable” if no more than 30% of a household’s monthly income is needed for rent, mortgage payments and utilities. Households who pay more than 30% of their income on housing costs are considered cost-burdened.This map shows Median Gross Rent as a percentage of Median Household Income for Renters. Click on the census tracts to see the percentage, as well as Monthly Median Household Income for Renters and Median Gross Rent for that area.Source: American Community Survey, 2013 5-year estimates, Tables B25064 (Median Gross Rent), B25119 (Median Household Income by Tenure).Map made by CURA staff, Feb 2015.

Summary File 3 Data Profile 4 (SF3 Table DP-4) for Census Tracts in the Minneapolis-St. Paul 7 County metropolitan area is a subset of the profile of selected housing characteristics for 2000 prepared by the U. S. Census Bureau.

This table (DP-4) includes: Units in Structure, Year Structure Built, Rooms, Year Householder Moved into Unit, Vehicles Available, House Heating Fuel, Selected Characteristics, Occupants per Room, Value, Mortgage Status and Selected Monthly Owner Costs, Selected Monthly Owner Costs as a Percentage of Household Income in 1999, Gross Rent, Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income in 1999

US Census 2000 Demographic Profiles: 100-percent and Sample Data

The profile includes four tables (DP-1 thru DP-4) that provide various demographic, social, economic, and housing characteristics for the United States, states, counties, minor civil divisions in selected states, places, metropolitan areas, American Indian and Alaska Native areas, Hawaiian home lands and congressional districts (106th Congress). It includes 100-percent and sample data from Census 2000. The DP-1 table is available as part of the Summary File 1 (SF 1) dataset, and the other three tables are available as part of the Summary File 3 (SF 3) dataset.

The US Census provides DP-1 thru DP-4 data at the Census tract level through their DataFinder search engine. However, since the Metropolitan Council and MetroGIS participants are interested in all Census tracts within the seven county metropolitan area, it was quicker to take the raw Census SF-1 and SF-3 data at tract levels and recreate the DP1-4 variables using the appropriate formula for each DP variable. This file lists the formulas used to create the DP variables.

Summary File 1 Data Profile 1 (SF1 Table DP-1) for Census Tracts in the Minneapolis-St. Paul 7 County metropolitan area is a subset of the profile of general demographic characteristics for 2000 prepared by the U.S. Census Bureau.

This table (DP-1) includes: Sex and Age, Race, Race alone or in combination with one or more otehr races, Hispanic or Latino and Race, Relationship, Household by Type, Housing Occupancy, Housing Tenure

US Census 2000 Demographic Profiles: 100-percent and Sample Data

The profile includes four tables (DP-1 thru DP-4) that provide various demographic, social, economic, and housing characteristics for the United States, states, counties, minor civil divisions in selected states, places, metropolitan areas, American Indian and Alaska Native areas, Hawaiian home lands and congressional districts (106th Congress). It includes 100-percent and sample data from Census 2000. The DP-1 table is available as part of the Summary File 1 (SF 1) dataset, and the other three tables are available as part of the Summary File 3 (SF 3) dataset.

The US Census provides DP-1 thru DP-4 data at the Census tract level through their DataFinder search engine. However, since the Metropolitan Council and MetroGIS participants are interested in all Census tracts within the seven county metropolitan area, it was quicker to take the raw Census SF-1 and SF-3 data at tract levels and recreate the DP1-4 variables using the appropriate formula for each DP variable. This file lists the formulas used to create the DP variables.

This map shows renter income as a percentage of owner income for census tracts in the Twin Cities Metro, using the median household income for each group.Census tracts were excluded when either the renter-households or owner-households made up than less than 3% of the total number households in that tract.Data source: American Community Survey, 5-year estimates (2013), Table B25119 (Median Household Income by Tenure).Map made by CURA Staff, Feb 2015.

The U.S. Census's 2010 LEHD Origin-Destination Employment Statistcs (LODES) Dataset was used to map job and worker density in throughout the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, Minnesota. The LODES data is part of the U.S. Census's Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics program which records the number of jobs by workplace location and the number of workers by household location at the census block level. LEHD data is derived from data provided by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development's (MNDEED) Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) and the U.S. Social Security Administration.

The U.S. Cenus Bureau protects the confidentiality of the original data by using a system of multiplicative noise infusion, whereby all released data are "fuzzed." Although the positional accuracy of the data is not as good as the original MNDEED QCEW data, a more robust dataset is produced that allows allows users to not only map a general representation of job density (see LEHD Job Density), but also map jobs by income level (LEHD Low-Wage Job Density) and workers' residence (see LEHD Worker Household Density or LEHD Low-Wage Worker Household Density).

Jobs and workers are classified into three earning categories: <= $1,250/month, $1,251 to $3,333/month, and > $3,333/month. The census block level data was converted to a smoothly tapered surface of calculated census block value. The resulting data surface provides a general representation of density of low-wage jobs ($3,333/month or less: approx. $40,000 or less annually) in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, Minnesota.

This map shows percent tree cover and tree canopy in acres by census block group for the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area. Data source: EarthDefine SpatialCover Tree Canopy

This map shows percent tree cover and tree canopy in acres by census block group for the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area. Data source: EarthDefine SpatialCover Tree Canopy

This dataset provides equity-relevant characteristics for each census tract in the Twin Cities region. Formerly known as the Areas of Concentrated Poverty dataset, it has been greatly expanded to provide a more nuanced portrait of neighborhoods, with data on: demographic and socioeconomic characteristics (including multiple income levels); racial/ethnic/cultural groups; historical data on discriminatory practices; facets of housing markets; land use, environment/climate, amenities, and employment/commuting patterns. Our intention is to call attention to broader patterns of economic segregation and their root causes, and to show that census tracts are much more multifaceted than a narrow focus on poverty rates would imply.

For more background on this file, please see our website ( https://metrocouncil.org/research/place-basedequity ) -- in particular, the User Guide.

NCompass Technologies, under contract with Metropolitan Council, created a 2010 Census Bureau block polygon dataset for the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington Counties). This dataset is coincident with and developed using the NCT Street Centerline and Landmarks databases where 2010 block boundaries fall on those features. For those block boundaries that are defined by features not included in NCT databases, NCT used other digital resources to generate these boundaries, such as orthophotography or additional features from city and county GIS databases. NCT used it's best judgement to digitize block boundaries when the block boundaries followed nonvisible features or street extensions. Polygon centroid points were also generated by the Metropolitan Council for blocks, block groups and tracts (Census2010RealignBlockGroupPoints, Census2010RealignBlockPoints, Census2010RealignTractPoints).

This dataset includes three separate tables for census blocks, block groups and tracts. The tables are a select subset of population data from the Census Bureau's P-94-171 redistricting data. These tables can be linked to census block, block group and tract boundary files.

Notes:
- When linking population tables to the corresponding shape file, be aware that there are 3 block groups in the block group shape file that have 2 polygons each and 1 tract in the tract shape file that has 2 polygons. This impacts population summaries.

Bg00: 270030509012, 270530253011, 271230426023
Tract00: 27003050901

Decennial Census 2020 includes tabulations of housing units by occupancy; households by relationship types and tenure; population by age, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino origin; and total group quarters population. Geographies nationwide can be obtained from Census, with disaggregate geographic detail down to Block-level. Metropolitan Council is publishing files for 2020 Blocks, Block Groups, Tracts, Minor Civil Divisions (MCDs), ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs), and school districts. Only data files are included; they can be joined to shapefiles available elsewhere on this site.

Summary File 3 Data Profile 2 (SF3 Table DP-2) for Census Tracts in Minneapolis-St. Paul 7 County metropolitan area is a subset of the profile of selected social characteristics for 2000 prepared by the U.S. Census Bureau.

This table (DP-2) includes: School Enrollment, Educational Attainment, Marital Status, Grandparents as Caregivers, Veteran Status, Disability Status of the Civilian Noninstitutionalized Population, Residence in 1995, Nativity and Place of Birth, Region of Birth of Foreign Born, Language Spoken At Home, Ancestry

US Census 2000 Demographic Profiles: 100-percent and Sample Data

The profile includes four tables (DP-1 thru DP-4) that provide various demographic, social, economic, and housing characteristics for the United States, states, counties, minor civil divisions in selected states, places, metropolitan areas, American Indian and Alaska Native areas, Hawaiian home lands and congressional districts (106th Congress). It includes 100-percent and sample data from Census 2000. The DP-1 table is available as part of the Summary File 1 (SF 1) dataset, and the other three tables are available as part of the Summary File 3 (SF 3) dataset.

The US Census provides DP-1 thru DP-4 data at the Census tract level through their DataFinder search engine. However, since the Metropolitan Council and MetroGIS participants are interested in all Census tracts within the seven county metropolitan area, it was quicker to take the raw Census SF-1 and SF-3 data at tract levels and recreate the DP1-4 variables using the appropriate formula for each DP variable. This file lists the formulas used to create the DP variables.

The MPA is the Federally defined area that a Metropolitan Planning Organization must use for Transportation Planning. This is file is based on the results of the 2020 US Census. This is the current version for
the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) area for the Twin Cities. The shape covers the 7 county area as well as the urbanized area that extends beyond the 7 county area.


Under state law, the Met Council's jurisdiction covers the 7 county area - Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington counties except for the cities of Rockford, New Prague, and Northfield.

Under federal rules, the MPO must plan for the entire urbanized area, which is a Census defined area. After the 2010 Census, the urbanized area for the Twin Cities extended beyond the 7 county area into Wright and Sherburne counties.
The MPO jurisdiction area for the Met Council needed to extend beyond the 7 counties.

Working with MnDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the census defined urbanized area was smoothed and this data file was the approved by the Metropolitan Council as the MPA area for the Twin Cities.

This data reflects the FHWA corrections recieved on 11/22/2024. The boundary in this MPA may not follow 2020 Census gegraphical units (tracts and blocks) in all areas.

Summary File 3 Data Profile 3 (SF3 Table DP-3) for Minneapolis-St. Paul 7 County metropolitan area is a subset of the profile of selected economic characteristics for 2000 prepared by the U. S. Census Bureau.

This table (DP-3) includes: Employment Status, Commuting to Work, Occupation, Industry, Class of Worker, Income in 1999, Median earnings, Number Below Poverty Level, Poverty Status in 1999, For Whom Poverty Status is Determined

US Census 2000 Demographic Profiles: 100-percent and Sample Data

The profile includes four tables (DP-1 thru DP-4) that provide various demographic, social, economic, and housing characteristics for the United States, states, counties, minor civil divisions in selected states, places, metropolitan areas, American Indian and Alaska Native areas, Hawaiian home lands and congressional districts (106th Congress). It includes 100-percent and sample data from Census 2000. The DP-1 table is available as part of the Summary File 1 (SF 1) dataset, and the other three tables are available as part of the Summary File 3 (SF 3) dataset.

The US Census provides DP-1 thru DP-4 data at the Census tract level through their DataFinder search engine. However, since the Metropolitan Council and MetroGIS participants are interested in all Census tracts within the seven county metropolitan area, it was quicker to take the raw Census SF-1 and SF-3 data at tract levels and recreate the DP1-4 variables using the appropriate formula for each DP variable. This file lists the formulas used to create the DP variables.

Transportation analysis zones are subdivisions of counties that are delineated for land use and travel analysis purposes. The geography for this file is based on the Twin Cities Regional Travel Demand Forecast Model.

Notes:

- Since 2004, this set of TAZs is the official TAZ system for travel demand modeling, socioeconomic forecasts and community comprehensive plan development, in addition to its existing use for the 2000 Census Transportation Planning Package (CTPP).

- Population, households and employment forecasts by TAZ, published with this file during 2004-2013, have been replaced with newer forecasts adopted by Metropolitan Council, starting in May 2014.

- This system is a modification of an earlier TAZ system developed by Minnesota Department of Transportation and Metropolitan Council in late 1989, referred to as Transportation Analysis Zones 1990 (TAZ1990). The principal difference between the 1990 and 2000 systems is that 27 TAZs were subdivided into smaller units, thus expanding the total number of TAZs from 1165 to 1201.

- Generally, the 2000 TAZ system utilized TIGER line files for 2000 Census blocks and political boundaries, which do not necessarily match the positionally accurate street-line files and political boundaries typically used with other Council generated GIS datasets.