Residents of Camden know that we are fortunate to live in a vibrant, dynamic community—an overlooked treasure of Minneapolis and the Twin Cities metro area. Our neighborhoods offer the best of city living with access to great local businesses and dynamic cultural organizations. High quality of life amenities include excellent parks, libraries, schools, and community gardens.
But most important, our community is its people—we who meet and connect with each other in front lawns, places of worship, and public spaces. But just who lives in Camden?
The seven neighborhoods that comprise Camden feature a wide range of individuals and families, working professionals and homemakers, young children and retired seniors. Additionally, Camden has the distinction of being one of the most racially and ethnically diverse communities in Minneapolis. Following are some highlights of recent demographic data.
Camden’s population of 28,778 represents roughly 7.5 percent of the total number of Minneapolis residents.
Close to two-thirds (63.7 percent) of Camdenites are from the 18–64 age demographic. Children make up about 29 percent of the community and those 65 and older represent 7 percent of its residents.
The Camden community is more racially and ethnically diverse than Minneapolis as a whole. A plurality of residents is white (42.6 percent), but large numbers of us are Black/African American (32.8 percent), Asian/Pacific Islander (10.5 percent), and Hispanic/Latino (7.2 percent). As a point of comparison, 60.3 percent of Minneapolis residents are white.
Slightly more women (51.2 percent) than men (48.8 percent) live in the community. This is in modest contrast to the overall population of Minneapolis, which has slightly more men (50.3 percent) than women (49.7 percent).
While high quality of life factors are constantly bringing new people to our neighborhoods, many in the Camden community have lived in the area for long periods of time. About 21 percent have lived in their homes for more than 20 years. An additional 56 percent have been in the community for more than five years. When people come to Camden, they want to stay.
Camdenites on average have a high level of educational attainment. About 83 percent of individuals have graduated from high school. Nearly a quarter (23.7 percent) have earned a bachelor’s degree or a higher level of college achievement.
The community consists largely of owner-occupied homes, but there is also a strong rental market. About 70 percent of residents own their homes while 30 percent are renters.
Camden is a great community for families. Roughly 60 percent of the households here include families. Our neighborhoods also have a lot of appeal for those who live alone or with non-family members (40 percent of households).
Roughly one-third of Camdenites (35.1 percent) are employed in Minneapolis. Others commute to nearby cities that include St. Paul (7.9 percent), Bloomington (3.7 percent), St. Louis Park (3.6 percent), and Plymouth (3.5 percent).
Of course, numbers and statistics do not tell the real story of what it means to live in Camden. For that, we need only reflect on those people we meet upon stepping out our doors—the neighbors, teachers, colleagues, business proprietors, and other individuals we share this special place with every day.
Note: These statistics have been compiled by Minnesota Compass, a nonprofit organization that gathers information about communities throughout our state. To learn more about Camden and other communities in the Twin Cities, visit www.mncompass. org/twincities.