The Minnesota Department of Health, Asthma Program provides data on prevalence, rates of asthma-related hospitalizations and emergency room visits, quality of life, and mortality. Data available for Minnesota from 2004 to the present.
Estimates of per capita greenhouse gas emissions by metropolitan area, including the Twin Cities 13-county metropolitan area. Data are included in a Brookings Institution report released in 2008.
Demographic change, national forests, and natural amenities
This database provides information on demographic change, national forests and natural amenities for each U.S. county. Data is compiled and made available through a collaboration between researchers at the USDA Forest Service and the Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire.
The University of Minnesota's Remote Sensing and Geospatial Analysis Laboratory provides data on land cover, impervious surface area, and landscape change, derived from satellite imagery. Data and maps are available for 1986, 1990, 1991, 1998, 2000, and 2002 for cities/townships, counties, the 7-county region, and for Minnesota.
Frogs (species indicator)
Global measure of environmental health of the region. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Toad Calling Survey has data for the state and the 7-county region from 1996 to 2017.
Impervious land cover
Data on the percentage of the region that is covered by impervious surfaces. Data from 1986, 1990, 1991, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2007 (coming soon) for the state, the 7-county region, individual counties and central cities. From the University of Minnesota's Remote Sensing and Geospatial Analysis Laboratory.
The University of Minnesota's Remote Sensing and Geospatial Analysis Laboratory provides data on lake clarity derived from satellite imagery. Data are available for the state from 1985 to 2005, and for the 7-county region from 1975 to 2005. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency also has a range of lake clarity data from 1973 to the most recent data.
Lake water quality: Itasca county
The Itasca Water Legacy Partnership provides water quality data for more than 150 of the county's 1,000 lakes. This special data collection effort was funded by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and data include a broad range of water quality measures collected repeatedly between 2008 and 2009.
Minnesota impaired waters
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency provides a list of impairments for all waters tested in Minnesota. Data are released biennially from 1998 to the present.
The Metropolitan Council provides annual data on the number of visitors using the regional park system. Data are available from 1995 to the present. Additional data from the 2008 Regional Parks and Trails Survey includes detailed information about persons using the park system.
Per capita consumption of energy
The Energy Information Administration provides state-level data available annually from 1960 to the present. Consumption data are available by energy source and by sector.
Minnesota water use data
Minnesota water use data were gathered from permit holders who report the volume of water used each year. Usage includes power generation, water supply, industrial processing, irrigation, and other.
Measure of land use and development. The U.S. Census Bureau provides maps and data that show 2010 population density by state, metropolitan area, and county.
Quality of rivers in the region
From the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's state water quality management program. 305b assessments of stream conditions in Minnesota's major river basins are available from 2004 to the present..
Rate of development
Rate of conversion of open space to developed land. The Metropolitan Council provides data from 1970 to 2005 on the number of acres in the 7-county region by type of use.
Residents' attitudes and perceptions about the environment
The Metro Residents Survey, administered by the Metropolitan Council, provides data on a range of attitudes about the natural environment. Data available from 2000 to 2012.
The Metropolitan Council's Travel Behavior Inventory provides time-series data collected decennially since 1949. Detailed data include commute information, type of vehicle, number of passengers, and departure and arrival times.
Vehicle miles traveled
Minnesota Department of Transportation provides annual data on the number of miles travelled on state, county, and city roadways from 1983 to the present.