By The Numbers: Racial Inequality In Minneapolis

The problem goes deeper than police misconduct. Was this forwarded to you? Subscribe to [this newsletter]( and to [our podcasts](. Minneapolis Ranks Near The Bottom For Racial Equality --------------------------------------------------------------- by Greg Rosalsky Last week, [we shared findings]( showing how the COVID-19 crisis is making racial inequality worse. Since we published that newsletter, protests erupted in Minneapolis and spread throughout the nation — with marchers shouting “I can’t breathe,” the dying words of [George Floyd]( who was seen in a video with the knee of a Minneapolis police officer on his neck. Kerem Yucel / Getty Images So, about Minneapolis… we found it, and the Twin Cities area more generally, has some of the most abysmal numbers on racial inequality in the nation. Here is a snapshot: + The median black family in the Twin Cities area earns [$38,178 a year]( — which is less than half of the median white family income of [$84,459 a year](. This income inequality gap is [one of the largest in the nation]( only nearby Milwaukee, Wisconsin is worse. The state of Minnesota as a whole has [the second biggest income inequality gap]( between blacks and whites in the entire nation; only the District of Columbia is worse. + Before the pandemic, the black unemployment rate in Minnesota was at [a historic low]( but it was still double the white rate. In 2016, the Twin Cities area black unemployment rate was [more than three times]( the white unemployment rate. + According to [the most recent census data]( the black poverty rate in the Twin Cities area was 25.4%, which is over four times the white poverty rate of 5.9%. The Twin Cities area black poverty rate is significantly higher than [the national black poverty rate]( of 22%, while the white poverty rate is significantly lower than the national one of 9%. + While about [three-quarters]( of white families in the Twin Cities own homes, only about [one-quarter]( of black families do. The area had a long history where “[racial covenants]( made it hard for blacks to become homebuyers and live in white neighborhoods. + In 2019, the incarceration rate of blacks in the Twin Cities area was [11 times]( that of whites. + The state of Minnesota has one of the nation’s worst education achievement gaps between blacks and whites. In 2019, it [ranked 50th]( when it comes to racial disparities in high school graduation rates. These data aren’t about police bias directly. Instead, they are the persistent, troubling numbers that sit underneath the rising sense of unfairness, frustration, desperation and anger that we’ve seen over the last week. Keep in mind all these numbers were a snapshot of the situation *before* the economic collapse. Special thanks to Timothy O’Neill and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development for helping us dig through the numbers. If you want to share this newsletter on social media, [it can be found on npr.org here]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- On Our Podcasts --------------------------------------------------------------- Planet Money has a new Tik Tok account. So far there’s been animation and special effects mixed with charts and explainers, and a serving of floating lasagna. It’s all a bit dada and so far great fun. You can [follow us here]( Small America Vs. Big Internet — Small towns need fast internet. One town tried to solve the problem itself, but ran into a legal firewall. What gives? [Listen here]( Three Big Ideas — On today's show, ideas to fight the virus, get people money, and revive a multibillion-dollar corner of the economy. [Listen here]( Rent In The Time Of Coronavirus — The landlord-tenant relationship is often a tense one and it's becoming a national problem. The Indicator takes time to listen to a renter who tapped his 401K to pay his landlord. [Listen here]( Also on The Indicator: [#WFH Forever?]( [Melissa Dell On Security And Prosperity]( and [The Beige Book And The Pig Farmer]( --------------------------------------------------------------- What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: [planetmoney@npr.org](mailto:planetmoney@npr.org?subject=Newsletter%20Feedback) Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can [sign up here](. Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Daily News, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Planet Money emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy](