Single Night Count of People Experiencing Homelessness
2018 Minnesota Homeless Study Fact Sheet

Every three years, Wilder Research conducts a one-day statewide study to better understand the prevalence of
homelessness in Minnesota, as well as the circumstances of those experiencing homelessness. The 2018 study
took place on October 25, 2018, and included two components that captured information on that date: 1) faceto-face interviews with people throughout the state who meet a federal definition of homelessness, and 2) a
count of people experiencing homelessness. Because point-in-time counts and surveys can never completely
include all people experiencing homelessness, especially those not using shelters, the numbers represented in
this fact sheet should be considered a minimum count.

Initial observations


After a decline between 2012 and 2015, the overall number
of people experiencing homelessness increased to peak 2012
levels (up 10% over 2015).



The numbers of homeless children and youth age 24 and
younger are similar to levels counted in 2015; together, they
represent nearly half of the homeless population (46%).



The number of families experiencing homelessness decreased
by 5% (down to 1,472 in 2018).



The number of homeless adults increased from 2015,
particularly among those 55 and older (up 25%).



The number of people not in a formal shelter (outside or
doubled up) increased considerably since 2015 (up 62%).

This fact sheet highlights initial
observations from the counts data only,
which include:
 All people staying in emergency

shelters, domestic violence shelters,
and transitional housing programs
(referred to as “in shelter” in this
summary).

 People located outside, doubled

up, and identified through interviews
in outreach locations such as
encampments, hot-meal programs,
and other drop-in service sites
(referred to as “not in a formal
shelter” in this summary).

The overall number of people experiencing homelessness is up 10 percent from 2015.
ONE-NIGHT STUDY COUNTS OF THE MINNESOTA HOMELESS POPULATION, 1991-2018

2018 Minnesota Homeless Study Fact Sheet

1

Wilder Research, March 2019

 Overall, the number of children and youth age 24 and younger experiencing homelessness
remained steady.







Together, children and unaccompanied youth
(age 24 and younger) make up nearly half of
those experiencing homelessness (46%).
Since 2015, there was a 1% decrease in the
number of children homeless with their parents.
There was a 1% increase in the number of
homeless youth (age 24 and younger) on their
own (without their parents).
While their numbers remained steady, children
and youth are the most disproportionally
affected by homelessness (relative to their
population in Minnesota).

2015 AND 2018 COUNTS BY AGE GROUP
2015 study

2018 study

% change
(2015-2018)

Children (17 and younger) with parents

3,296

3,265

-1%

Youth on their own (24 and younger)

1,463

1,484

+1%

Adults (25-54)

3,637

4,382

+20%

843

1,054

+25%

9,312

10,233

+10%

Older adults (55 and older)
Total

Note. Totals include people experiencing homelessness (of unknown age) in detox on the night of the survey
(73 in 2015 and 48 in 2018).

The number of adults, especially older adults, has increased considerably since 2015.




Older adults make up 10% of the homeless population in Minnesota.
While, proportionally, older adults (55 and older) make up the smallest age group of those experiencing
homelessness, they saw the biggest increase in homelessness (up 25% from 2015).
Similarly, the number of homeless adults age 25-54 is up 20%.

Between 2015 and 2018, there was a considerable increase in the number of people
experiencing homelessness who were not in a formal shelter.
Most people who were interviewed in outreach locations had spent time staying in a variety of locations
throughout the month of the study. The majority of these were in unsheltered locations such as encampments,
in their cars, or riding public transportation. Many piece together night-to-night accommodations, which may
include staying with others doubled up or couch hopping.
It is impossible to identify all people experiencing homelessness who are not in a formal shelter. These
numbers can be impacted by variations in outreach efforts and the visibility of the population. The 2018
study was conducted in conjunction with increased visibility of people staying in encampments and on
public transportation. In addition, there were homeless outreach events conducted throughout the state that
also allowed access to those not staying in shelter.

2018 Minnesota Homeless Study Fact Sheet

2

Wilder Research, March 2019

 



In the 2018 study, 26% of people experiencing
homelessness were not in a formal shelter.
The number of people not in a formal shelter increased
62% between 2015 and 2018.
The number of people not in a formal shelter increased
in every age group reported in the table below.

2015 AND 2018 COUNTS OF THOSE NOT IN A FORMAL SHELTER (OUTSIDE OR DOUBLED UP), BY AGE GROUP
2015 study

2018 study

% change
(2015-2018)

Children (17 and younger) with parents

264

413

+56%

Youth on their own (24 and younger)

455

506

+11%

Adults (25-54)

761

1,488

+96%

Older adults (55 and older)

182

287

+58%

1,662

2,694

+62%

Total

Homelessness increased across Minnesota.
Overall, in both the 7-county Twin Cities metro area (up 9%) and greater Minnesota (up 13%), there were
more people experiencing homelessness in 2018 compared to 2015.
 This was especially evident in the population not in a formal shelter, which was up 93% in the Twin Cities
metro and up 36% in greater Minnesota.
 The distribution of the homeless population between the Twin Cities metro (66%) and greater Minnesota
(34%) is similar to the distribution found in the 2015 study.


2018 COUNTS BY TWIN CITIES METRO AND GREATER MINNESOTA, SHELTERED VS. NOT IN A FORMAL SHELTER
(OUTSIDE OR DOUBLED UP)
Twin Cities
Twin Cities
metro
metro
not in
in shelters formal shelter

Total
Twin Cities Greater MN
metro
in shelters

Greater MN
not in
formal
shelter

Total
greater
MN

Children (17 and younger) with parents

2,002

158

2,160

850

255

1,105

Youth on their own (24 and younger)

578

297

875

400

209

609

2,081

849

2,930

813

639

1,452

630

168

798

137

119

256

5,291

1,472

6,763

2,200

1,222

3,422

Adults (25-54)
Older adults (55 and older)
Total

Note. This table does not include 48 homeless people in detox for whom age is not known.

2018 Minnesota Homeless Study Fact Sheet

3

Wilder Research, March 2019

 Explanation of 2018 data
The findings reported above are based on the 2018 Minnesota Homeless Study counts data. For more detailed
data tables, please visit www.mnhomeless.org. There are 17 counts reports, including statewide and regional
reports, which break down the counts data by shelter types, age, gender, and family status.
Readers should note that this fact sheet does not include estimates of the uncounted or unidentified homeless
population. This fact sheet also does not include in-depth characteristics of Minnesota’s homeless population
or the count of those experiencing homelessness on American Indian reservations. Total single night estimates
of Minnesota’s homeless population will be reported in fall 2019.

What’s next?
Future reports will include findings from thousands of face-to-face interviews conducted throughout Minnesota, as
well as a separate report about interviews conducted in partnership with six of Minnesota’s Native American tribes.
Throughout the next year, Wilder Research staff will also publish specialized reports on homeless youth,
veterans, older adults, families, and long-term homeless populations.

Additional resources on homelessness in Minnesota
Wilder’s triennial statewide study of homelessness is considered the most comprehensive source of descriptive
information about homeless adults, youth, and children in Minnesota. It is not intended to be a complete count
because no study strategy can locate all people experiencing homelessness. Other sources of information that
complement our understanding of homelessness include:
 An annual January point in time (PIT) count of persons living in shelters, outdoors, and in places not meant
for habitation. This count is required by the federal department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
 The Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), which includes client information compiled by all
providers of federal- and state-funded emergency shelter and supportive housing programming.
Together, these sources are used nationwide to inform federal, state, and local policies to prevent and end
homelessness.

451 Lexington Parkway North
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55104
651-280-2700
www.wilderresearch.org

The study is an independent initiative of Wilder Research in partnership with public
and private funders and in-kind support from service providers throughout the state.
Study co-directors: Michelle Decker Gerrard, Greg Owen
For more information about this report, call Wilder Research, 651-280-2700, or visit
mnhomeless.org.
MARCH 2019