Minorities Driving Minnesota's Population Growth

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- New census figures show that minorities are driving the modest increase in Minnesota's population.

Between 2010 and 2012, Minnesota's minority population grew by about 6 percent -- faster than the population as a whole.

Asians are the fastest-growing ethnic group in the state. Hmong make up the largest segment, followed by immigrants from India.

"Part of the reason why there has been a somewhat more rapid increase in the Indian population here is that many of them of late are in the information technology area," said University of Minnesota economics professor V.V. Chari.

Chari, himself an immigrant from India, said companies like Target and Best Buy have attracted workers from that country.

While Minnesota's overall minority population has grown to 17 percent, that's still far below the nation's 30 percent makeup, which means Minnesota remains one of the least diverse states in the nation.