Minnesota is one of the fastest growing states in the United States. While most immigrants to the United States first arrived in a border state, secondary migration (within the United States) to Minnesota is among the highest in the country (Ohmans, 26). This slow growth of racial diversity over the years has allowed the communities within Minnesota to work with a small number of minorities and devise ways to enhance the delivery of health care to racially and culturally diverse populations. Because of this, Minnesota is a leader in the delivery of top-notch health care to minority groups (Majeski, 1A). Minnesota can be proud of the clinics and hospitals around the state that intentionally provide ways for persons of cultures other than white to receive quality health care.

• Minnesota remains one of the fastest growing states in the Northwest and Midwest with New Hampshire and Kansas being the only two faster growing states in 1998.
• Minnesota ranks 20th nationally in total population size, but 17th in population change and 18th in rate of change.
• Roughly one-third of the state's population growth is due to migration and two-thirds is due to natural increase (the difference between births and deaths in the state).
• Minnesota's foreign-born population is estimated to have risen at least 50% in the 1990s.
• 8000 primary refugees arrived in Minnesota between 1995-1998, with 43% from Eastern Europe, 29% from Southeast Asia, and 28% from Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Of the one-third increase due to migration, inter-state migration has slowed in recent years while international migration continues to increase. In the past two years, the net gain of migrants from abroad has exceeded the net gain from other states.
• Minnesota is a leader in the delivery of top-notch health care to minority groups.