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Ramsey County | Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan 10 Minnesota is a designated refugee settlement area, and the county's diverse population includes significant immigrant communities. In 2018, the largest groups of foreign-born Minnesotans were born in Mexico (about 64,500); Somalia (33,500); India (30,200); Laos, including Hmong (24,400); Vietnam (18,600); China, excluding Hong Kong and Taiwan (18,600); Ethiopia (21,900); and Thailand, including Hmong (18,500). These estimates do not include U.S.-born children of these immigrants. They also likely underestimate the size of our immigrant populations because trust and language issues reduce response rates to Census surveys. Fifty-one percent of Minnesota's foreign-born population are naturalized U.S. citizens. Age Distribution The age distribution in Ramsey County reflects both a growing youth population and an aging community, with a median age of 36.4, slightly younger than the state median age of 39.1: • 17 years and younger: 23.1% • 18-24 years: 9.6% • 25-34 years: 16.2% • 35-44 years: 13.1% • 45-54 years: 10.9% • 55-64 years: 11.9% • 65 years and older: 15.1% Understanding the distribution of children and elderly residents is essential, as these groups may have heightened vulnerabilities during hazard events. 2.4 Social Vulnerability The Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) is a critical tool used to assess the resilience of communities in the face of hazards. The SVI measures various factors that influence a community’s ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. In Ramsey County, these factors are essential for identifying populations that may be disproportionately affected by natural and human-made hazards. According to the latest SVI data, Ramsey County has an overall SVI score of 0.9419 (from a range of 0 to 1), indicating that the county’s vulnerability level is high compared to other counties across the country. Higher SVI scores reflect greater social vulnerability, which can increase the risks associated with hazard events. There are four key themes that contribute to overall social vulnerability: 2.4.1 SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS Socioeconomic status affects hazard vulnerability because lower-income populations often have limited access to resources, such as safe housing, insurance, and emergency services, making them less resilient to disasters. Additionally, they may face greater challenges in recovery, prolonging the impacts of hazards. • The percentage of residents living below the poverty line in Ramsey County is 12.9 %. • Unemployment rates stand at 4.6%, with certain areas of the county experiencing even higher levels of joblessness.