Minnesota: Lao community profile
Live data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey, with community indicators across population, income, education, language, health, and housing.
Community at a glance
ACS 5-year estimates (2022). Where Lao-specific data is unavailable, Asian-alone is used as a proxy and labeled accordingly.
Top counties by Lao population
Live from Census ACS B04006. Counties with at least one Lao-ancestry respondent.
| County | Lao population |
|---|---|
| Hennepin | 784 |
| Dakota | 229 |
| Beltrami County | 198 |
| Anoka | 173 |
| Wright County | 130 |
Who, where, and how — in Minnesota.
Community-partnered narrative. Updates as partnerships evolve.
Minnesota became a major Lao resettlement destination starting in 1975, with the Twin Cities — particularly the East Side of St. Paul, Frogtown, and Brooklyn Park — emerging as the cultural and civic heart. The state hosts one of the most institutionally networked Lao communities in the U.S., including ethnic media, temples, mutual-assistance associations, and second-generation civic leadership.
- Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota
- Wat Lao Minnesota and partner temples
- Hennepin and Ramsey County health departments
- University of Minnesota — research collaborations
- Gambling harm & financial wellbeing
- Educational dropout prevention (youth)
- Mental health & intergenerational trauma
- Elder isolation & temple-network supports
- Cross-domain equity analysis
Explore the data
Full dashboard →Dive into the live ACS indicators powering this page.