Olmsted County

Racial Attitudes Surveys

The Diversity Council first collaborated with a community task force to survey local attitudes toward race in 1990. In 2006, a second survey was conducted in association with Luther College. The 2006 survey duplicated many questions from the original survey in order to accurately measure how attitudes have changed over time. This latter survey also included additional questions focusing on immigration, and on actions as well as attitudes.

1990 Rochester Area Racial Attitudes Survey

2006 Olmsted County Racial Attitudes & Actions Survey

Survey

Summary Report

Presentation to Community

(PowerPoint presentation with data charts)

Highlights

Approximately 32% of Olmsted County residents believe that blacks are naturally more violent than whites (increased from 11% in 1990).

About 20% believe that Southeast Asians are naturally more violent than whites (increased from 9% in 1990).

About 15% believe that whites perform better than blacks in school because of natural abilities (increased from 7% in 1990).

32% agree that blacks tend to work for a living rather than live off welfare (declined from 43% in 1990).

Support for affirmative action decline from 37% to 23% between 1990 and 2006.

1130 1/2 7th St NW, Suite 204 , Rochester, MN 55901 · Tel: 507.282.9951 · Fax: 507.282.9964 · info@diversitycouncil.org

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