Minnesota's Somali Community in the Twin Cities

Experience a slice of Somalia in the heart of the Midwest as we journey through Minnesota’s vibrant Somali community in the Twin Cities! 🌍✌️

✅ Listen to The Somali Community in the Twin Cities: A Vibrant Thread in the Minnesota Tapestry on our podcast. We release new episodes of Travel with Jack and Kitty every day! Subscribe and listen on your favorite podcast app. 🎙️❤️

Quick Summary: Somali Community in the Twin Cities

Discover the vibrant Somali community in Minnesota’s Twin Cities.

Explore the history and migration of Somalis to Minneapolis and Saint Paul.
Dive into the community’s impact on local business and politics.
Find out where to experience Somali culture in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood.

*Somali culture and fun abounds with a visit to the Cedar Riverside neighborhood in Minneapolis. Digital art by Jack and Kitty Norton.*

A Vibrant Thread in the Minnesota Tapestry

Hey there, it’s Kitty! 🌍 Today, we’re embarking on a unique local adventure. We’re heading to the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, specifically to explore the vibrant Somali community there.

*East African food is delicious. Experience it for yourself at one of the many Somali owned restaurants in the Twin Cities. Digital art by Jack and Kitty Norton.*

So why listen to us about Midwest travel? Simple. Jack and I are Minnesota born and raised, spent 20 years as traveling musicians, and now we’re rocking life here in beautiful Winona, MN. We’re basically the Beyoncé and Jay-Z of Midwest travel. Hehe. 😜 We’ve even got a daily podcast and travel blog, plus Amazon best-selling Midwest guidebooks to prove it. We’re your go-to for all things fun and Midwest. Ready to rock? Let’s roll! 🚗💫🌽

*But did you know that Minnesota has the largest Somali diaspora in the United States? Digital art by Jack and Kitty Norton.*

Meet the Thriving Somali Community

In today’s blog post, we’re taking you on a cultural adventure right in our own backyard—the Twin Cities! 🌆 Get ready to meet the thriving Somali community, from their history and impact on local businesses to their political power moves. Trust us, by the end, you’ll be booking your trip to Cedar-Riverside to soak up some Somali culture. Don’t miss out! 🎉🗺️

*Can you imagine leaving your home in sunny and warm Africa for cold and snowy Minnesota? Pretty wild! Digital art by Jack and Kitty Norton.*

The Backstory: From Africa to America

The Somali community hails from the Horn of Africa, boasting a rich culture, history, and language. Somalis are mainly Sunni Muslims and make up one of Africa’s largest ethnic groups. But did you know that Minnesota has the largest Somali diaspora in the U.S.? Yup! Nearly 94,000 Minnesotans speak Somali at home. 🏠

How Did It All Start?

Wondering how Minnesota became the heartland for the Somali community in the U.S.? Rewind to the early ’90s, when civil strife led many Somalis to seek new homes across the globe. While some migrated to the Middle East and Europe, many ended up in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Today, the Twin Cities have the highest population of Somalis in North America. 🌎

*The Somali community is a fun thread in the diversity quilt that makes life in Minnesota simply wonderful. Digital art by Jack and Kitty Norton.*

A Community That’s Thriving

When you roam around Minneapolis, especially the Cedar-Riverside area, you’ll see the community’s influence everywhere. Picture this: hundreds of Somali-owned businesses offering everything from stylish leather shoes to halal meat. 🛍️ There’s even a Somali shopping mall, the first of its kind in the U.S!

The Numbers Game

Let’s talk stats. As of 2016, estimates suggest there could be anywhere between 40,200 and 80,000 Somalis in Minnesota. And their impact? Huge! We’re talking about a community with a purchasing power estimated between $164 and $494 million. 💪

Here's a fun fact: In 2018, Ilhan Omar became the first Somali-American elected to the U.S. Congress! Digital art by Jack and Kitty Norton. — *Here’s a fun fact: In 2018, Ilhan Omar became the first Somali-American elected to the U.S. Congress! Digital art by Jack and Kitty Norton.*

More Than Just Business

It’s not just shops and eateries; the Somali community is also making waves in the political scene. With representation in both the Democratic and Republican parties, they’re a voice that’s hard to ignore. Fun fact: In 2018, Ilhan Omar became the first Somali-American elected to the U.S. Congress! 🗳️

Where to Experience It All?

Keen to dive in? Your journey starts in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood of Minneapolis. Framed by the Mississippi River and various interstates, it’s a hub of culture, diversity, and arts. It’s also home to the largest immigrant community in the Twin Cities, where Somalis are the predominant group. So you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a slice of Somalia, without even leaving the Midwest. 🌆

Hungry for more? Stay tuned, we'll be bringing you restaurant picks where you can experience incredible East African cuisine. In the meantime, check out some of our other food blogs. Digital art by Jack and Kitty Norton. — Hungry for more? Stay tuned, because we’ll be bringing you our fave restaurant picks where you can experience incredible East African cuisine. In the meantime, check out some of our other **food blogs**. Digital art by Jack and Kitty Norton.

Ready, Set, Explore!

So why wait? Take a mini globe-trotting adventure right in your backyard. Whether you’re into history, politics, commerce, or cuisine, the Somali community in the Twin Cities offers a tapestry of experiences waiting for you to uncover. 🗺️ Happy exploring! ✌️

✅ Don’t miss out! Listen to today’s podcast episode, The Somali Community in the Twin Cities: A Vibrant Thread in the Minnesota Tapestry – where we go even deeper into this story. Remember, we release new episodes of Travel with Jack and Kitty every day! Subscribe on your favorite podcast app. 🎙️❤️