How many somalians are settled in minnesota

1. Why counts diverge: official surveys vs. community estimates

Different methods produce different totals. American Community Survey (ACS) estimations and Census-derived tallies that feed sites like Neilsberg and World Population Review produce figures around 61,000–64,000 Somalis in Minnesota ^{[1] [2]}. By contrast, community organizations, historical guides, and some local reporting have long cited higher totals—commonly 80,000–87,000—because they attempt to include U.S.-born people of Somali ancestry, recent arrivals, and those missed by surveys ^{[3] [5] [6]}. The Minnesota Demographers Office in 2016 gave a midrange estimate (40,200–52,400) and noted that community leaders sometimes estimate up to 80,000, which illustrates official caution and community counting practices ^[3].

2. What the recent data aggregators report

Sites that repackage ACS/Census estimates in 2025 list Minnesota’s Somali population near the low- to mid-60,000s: World Population Review reports 64,354 Somalis ^[2], while Neilsberg derives a statewide total of 61,353 and details county/city breakdowns (Hennepin ~28,053; Minneapolis ~19,870) ^{[1] [7]}. These figures are framed as “official” estimates because they rest on Census survey data, which tends to undercount some immigrant groups but provides a transparent methodology ^{[1] [2]}.

3. Why community and historical sources give higher numbers

Longer-standing community-based counts and historical sources report larger totals. The Minnesota Historical Society’s guide cites a 2008 figure of 87,853 Somalis in Minnesota ^[5]. Minnesota Compass and MinnPost summarize later state-level tallies that report 86,610 Somali Americans in Minnesota and note roughly 37,048 Minnesota residents were born in Somalia per 2021 ACS data ^[4]. These higher numbers reflect broader definitions—counting people of Somali ancestry, language speakers, and diaspora community members who may be missed by sampling-based surveys ^{[5] [4]}.

4. How “Somalian” vs. “Somali ancestry” changes the result

Terminology matters. Some sources report people born in Somalia (Somalia-born), some report people who identify as Somali (ancestry or ethnicity), and others include both first- and later-generation Somali Americans. For instance, reporting notes about 43,000 Somalia-born residents by 2018 while also pointing to larger counts of Somali-language speakers or people of Somali ancestry that approach or exceed 80,000 ^[3]. Many disparities come from whether U.S.-born children of Somali parents are included in the count ^{[3] [4]}.

5. Geographic concentration and local impacts

All sources agree Minnesota hosts the largest Somali community in the U.S., concentrated in the Twin Cities and surrounding counties: Hennepin and Ramsey show the largest shares and Minneapolis and St. Paul house dense Somali populations ^{[1] [7] [3]}. These local concentrations are cited both in Census-based breakdowns and community histories, which is why Minnesota is repeatedly described as the primary U.S. hub for the Somali diaspora ^{[3] [4]}.

6. How to interpret the range and what’s missing

Available sources show a clear range: roughly 61,000–64,000 by Census-derived aggregators and roughly 80,000–87,000 by community and historical accounts ^{[1] [2] [5] [4]}. Sources do not present a single reconciled figure explaining every discrepancy; the Minnesota Demographer’s prior range and community estimates explicitly acknowledge that survey undercounts and differing definitions drive variation ^[3]. Available sources do not mention a single definitive, universally accepted current headcount that reconciles ACS sampling with community-based registers.

Bottom line: If you need an "official" statistical figure for policy or research, use the Census/ACS-derived figures (~61k–64k) and cite the methodology; if you need to reflect community perceptions and broader ancestry counts, cite the higher community estimates (≈80k–87k) and explain the definitional differences ^{[1] [2] [5] [4]}.