“Whenever people are well informed, they can be trusted with their own government”
– Thomas Jefferson

The information you need

Minnesota Compass is a social indicators project that identifies trends, tracks progress, and provides analysis, with the goal of preserving and improving quality of life in communities all across our state. This central hub of sound, credible, nonpartisan data gives the information needed to make good decisions, craft policy, and benchmark effectiveness.

Keep this free resource accessible to all

• A user friendly, easy-to-navigate, one-stop shop: See data, analysis, evidence-based strategies, referrals to additional sources, and ideas to take action.
• An array of information in 11 topic areas: Aging, Civic Engagement, Early Childhood, Economy and Workforce, Education, Environment, Health, Housing, Immigration, Public Safety, and Transportation.
• Information presented by topic and geography: Breakdowns for the state, region, counties and selected cities.
• Extensive demographic information: Shows historic trends and describes who we are now.
• Spotlight on disparities: Gaps among groups by race, income and gender threaten our quality of life.
• Information you cannot find anywhere else: Original data on immigrant groups, civic engagement, public safety, and more.

Donations support this work in important ways. It will:

• Keep the most current, comprehensive, relevant, and user-friendly information on the web site and available to all.
• Enable us to present data and analysis, implement studies, and create surveys to gather better information and disseminate it in a timely fashion.
• Help provide technical support and information to groups working to improve communities across Minnesota.
• Allow us to engage people across Minnesota who want to maintain and enhance our quality of life.

Contributions will keep this vital resource free and accessible to everyone working to improve quality of life in Minnesota.