Methodology & Data Sources

SAPRI’s research is grounded in publicly available data, transparent analytic methods, and repeatable indicators. This page documents the sources, definitions, and limitations used across SAPRI publications.

Research Approach

SAPRI conducts descriptive and comparative analysis using administrative and survey data. Our work focuses on trends over time and contextualized comparisons rather than isolated point-in-time statistics.

Where applicable, SAPRI compares outcomes in Somali-concentrated areas to relevant state, county, and matched-area benchmarks to provide appropriate context.

SAPRI does not conduct political advocacy, endorse candidates, or promote policy positions. Our role is to provide accurate, methodologically transparent information to support informed public discourse and decision-making.

Data Sources

SAPRI relies on the following primary data sources:

U.S. Census Bureau

  • American Community Survey (ACS), 1-year and 5-year estimates
    Used for population, citizenship, employment, income, education, and housing indicators.

Minnesota Secretary of State

  • Voter registration and turnout data
    Used for precinct-level civic participation analysis.

Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA)

  • Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) and NIBRS data
    Used for area-based public safety trend analysis.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

  • Employment and labor market benchmarks
    Used for contextual comparisons at the metro and state level.

Minnesota Open Data Portal and Local Government Sources

  • City and county administrative datasets where applicable.

Geographic Units and Comparators

SAPRI conducts analysis at multiple geographic levels, including:

  • State of Minnesota

  • County level

  • City level

  • Census tract and precinct level (where available)

Comparators may include:

  • Minnesota statewide averages

  • County or metropolitan benchmarks

  • Matched census tracts or precincts with similar socioeconomic characteristics

Matched-area comparisons are used to reduce misinterpretation and improve analytical rigor.

Definitions and Limitations

All demographic identifiers rely on self-reported survey data and administrative definitions used by source agencies. Categories such as ancestry, language spoken at home, and place of birth may not capture all members of a community.

Crime and public safety indicators are reported as rates where possible and should be interpreted as measures of system and place-level outcomes, not individual behavior.

SAPRI documents data limitations in each publication and updates methods as improved data become available.

Replicability and Updates

SAPRI publishes methodology notes alongside major reports to support transparency and replication. Indicators are updated periodically to allow longitudinal analysis and comparison over time.