Minority numbers gradually increasing

The Brainerd lakes has a higher percentage of white residents than the stave average yet its minority population is gradually increasing.

In 2000, 97.6 percent of the Crow Wing County population was white, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Minnesota's white population is 89.4 percent.

Minnesota ranks No. 13 in the country in the highest American Indian population; No. 16 in Asian population; No. 30 in Hispanic population; and No. 33 in black population.

In the county in 2000 there were 53,801 residents who were white; 170 were black; 429 were American Indian; 152 were Asian; seven were Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander; 112 were of other race; 428 were two or more races; and 381 were Hispanic or Latino.

Of the 428 biracial residents, 64 were white and black; 208 were white, American Indian and Alaska Native; 72 were white and Asian; seven were white and Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander; 44 were white and another race; three were black and American Indian; three were black and another race; four were American Indian and Alaska Native; four were American Indian and Alaska Native and some other race; four were Asian and some other race; one was Native Hawaiian and some other race; and 11 were three or more races.

In Cass County in 2000 there were 23,490 residents who were white or 86.4 percent of the population; 31 were black; 3,110 were American Indian; 76 were Asian; six were Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander; 38 were of other race; 399 were two or more races; and 220 were Hispanic or Latino.

In Wadena County in 2000 there were 13,424 residents who were white or 97.9 percent of the population; 66 were black; 76 were American Indian; 25 were Asian; four were Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander; 37 were of other race; 81 were two or more races; and 128 were Hispanic or Latino.

In Todd County in 2000 there were 23,826 residents who were white or 97.5 percent of the population; 27 were black; 118 were American Indian; 76 were Asian; three were Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander; 175 were of other race; 201 were two or more races; and 463 were Hispanic or Latino.

In Morrison County in 2000 there were 31,230 residents who were white or 98.5 percent of the population; 66 were black; 102 were American Indian; 80 were Asian; 11 were Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander; 49 were of other race; 174 were two or more races; and 203 were Hispanic or Latino.