Hennepin County Minnesota: Encyclopedia II - Hennepin County Minnesota - Demographics

Hennepin County Minnesota - Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 1,116,200 people, 456,129 households, and 267,291 families residing in the county. The population density is 774/km² (2,005/mi²). There are 468,824 housing units at an average density of 325/km² (842/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 80.53% White, 8.95% Black or African American, 1.00% Native American, 4.80% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.06% from other races, and 2.60% from two or more races. 4.07% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 456,129 households out of which 28.80% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.30% are married couples living together, 9.90% have a female householder with no husband present, and 41.40% are non-families. 31.80% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.40% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.39 and the average family size is 3.07.

In the county the population is spread out with 24.00% under the age of 18, 9.70% from 18 to 24, 33.70% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 11.00% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 97.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 94.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $51,711, and the median income for a family is $65,985. Males have a median income of $42,466 versus $32,400 for females. The per capita income for the county is $28,789. 8.30% of the population and 5.00% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 10.50% of those under the age of 18 and 5.90% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

In May 2005, Hennepin County enacted a county-wide indoor smoking ban. Bar business depressed over the short run, as smokers went into neighboring counties to light up, but has since returned closer to normal, especially in the downtown Minneapolis clubs that are among the most popular live music venues in the state. In December, to great controversy, county officials acquiesced to lobbying efforts from bar owners and returned smoking to bars (outside of Minneapolis, which has a smoking ban independent of the county's).

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Demographics", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki