[ST. PAUL, MN] – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) last week presented data from a U.S. Census Bureau survey showing a recent decline in economic stress in Minnesota compared to other states. According to data from the Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey, Minnesota ranks 2^nd lowest among the states for difficulty paying for usual household expenses and 4^th lowest for food scarcity. The Household Pulse Survey also shows economic stress among Minnesotans has declined from the end of December 2020 to the beginning of January 2021.

“Through the many challenges and hardships Minnesotans have weathered during this pandemic, this data is encouraging to see,” said Governor Tim Walz. “We know that many Minnesotans are still struggling to make ends meet, and this data only cements our commitment to helping Minnesotans, especially working families, small businesses, and students, recover and emerge stronger from this pandemic. I am confident that we are moving in the right direction.”

“Minnesotans shouldn’t have to worry about having enough food to eat or being able to pay basic household expenses,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “While I am happy to see the data improving, the results of this survey remind us that the pandemic continues to have a serious impact on the lives of Minnesotans. We must continue to deliver to those disproportionately impacted by this pandemic.”

Launched in April 2020, the experimental Household Pulse Survey is designed to quickly and efficiently deploy data collected on how people’s lives have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The most recent survey data is from the period January 6-18, 2021. DEED has compiled a data visualization tool which features the Minnesota Household Pulse Survey data and tracks trends in Minnesotans’ responses over time. Minnesotans can use this tool to learn more about how COVID-19 has impacted the state: https://mn.gov/deed/data/research/covid-19-impact/