1986 to 2026: Hennepin County Then and Now
In 1986, acid-wash jeans and high tops were in style. Top Gun was on the big screen, and Whitney Houston’s song “How Will I Know” was at the top of the charts. A loaf of bread or a dozen eggs cost less than a dollar. It was also the year Community Action Partnership of Suburban Hennepin (CAPSH) was established to address the needs of people with low incomes in suburban Hennepin County.
A lot has changed in 40 years. Fashion trends have come and gone, technology has transformed everyday life, and Hennepin County has grown. But the challenge of making ends meet remains familiar, and people with low incomes continue to face barriers to achieving financial stability.
As we commemorate 40 years of service in 2026, we’re looking back at how much our community has changed—and why Community Action is still needed.
1986 vs. 2026
Here’s a quick overview of Hennepin County in 1986 compared with 2026:
| 1986 | 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| POPULATION | 997,454 | 1,284,784 |
| AMERICAN INDIAN OR ALASKA NATIVE POPULATION | 1.4% (1990 data) | 0.6% (2024 data) |
| ASIAN OR PACIFIC ISLANDER POPULATION | 3% (1990) | 7% (2024) |
| BLACK OR AFRICAN AMERICAN POPULATION | 6% (1990) | 13% (2024) |
| WHITE POPULATION | 89% (1990) | 66% (2024) |
| HISPANIC OR LATINO POPULATION | 1.4% (1990) | 8% (2024) |
| TWO OR MORE RACES POPULATION | 1990 Data Not Available | 9% (2024) |
| MN HOUSEHOLD MEDIAN INCOME | $26,440 ($79,661 in 2026 dollars) | $98,876 |
What Did Poverty Look Like in 1986?
Poverty wasn’t new in 1986, and neither were the challenges people with low incomes were facing. Across the United States, millions of people lived below the federal poverty level. The U.S. Census Bureau’s 1986 poverty report examined the social and economic characteristics of people living in poverty, including differences by age, family structure, employment, and other factors.
In Hennepin County, people with low incomes were navigating many of the same fundamental challenges families face today. Challenges like affording housing and utilities, finding and maintaining employment, stretching each dollar to make ends meet, and providing for their families.
A similar underlying issue was at play: When income doesn’t keep pace with the cost of basic necessities even a relatively small, unexpected expense can destabilize a household. And that’s why Community Action work is still as important now as it was in 1986.
From CAPSH to CAP-HC
When CAPSH was established in 1986, our focus was serving people with low incomes in suburban Hennepin County. The county population was just under one million people then. Over the next four decades, CAPSH evolved alongside the community.
Energy Assistance became an important part of the organization’s work. New programs were added in response to emerging needs. CAPSH helped households navigate the Great Recession. Vehicle Repair was added in 2014. CAPSH expanded its reach over time. In 2016, CAPSH officially became Community Action Partnership of Hennepin County (CAP-HC) after receiving the state designation to add Minneapolis to our service area in addition to suburban Hennepin County.
Today, more than 1.28 million people call our county home and CAP-HC offers more than a dozen services addressing both immediate needs and longer-term financial stability, including Energy Assistance, Housing Stability Services, Vehicle Repair, Financial Wellness, Employment Readiness, and more.
The Cost of Making Ends Meet
Perhaps the easiest way to see how much has changed is to look at the things people buy every day.
1986
2026
Loaf of White Bread
$0.57
$1.83
Gallon of Milk
$0.58
$4.17
A Dozen Eggs
$0.87
$2.31
Gallon of Gasoline
$0.93
$3.87
Monthly Rent
$375
($1,122 in 2026 dollars)
$1,487
These numbers aren’t just historical trivia. For someone living on a limited income, changes in the cost of everyday necessities can have a profound effect. When the cost of groceries, rent, utilities, transportation and other essentials rises, families have fewer resources available for everything else. CAP-HC sees this reality every day.
Today, more than 145,000 Hennepin County households spend more than 30% of their income on housing, while many also face significant energy costs. About one in 10 Hennepin County residents lives below the federal poverty level.
Some Things Have Changed. The Need for Community Action Hasn’t.
The Hennepin County of 2026 is not the Hennepin County of 1986. We’ve seen tremendous growth and change over the past 40 years. But poverty remains a reality for too many people. And that’s why Community Action remains committed to helping people with low incomes build stability and create pathways to opportunity.
In 2025 alone, CAP-HC served more than 40,700 children and adults. That’s 40,700+ people who turned to CAP-HC for help navigating challenges ranging from housing instability to transportation barriers, from financial challenges to the pursuit of homeownership.
Yes, a lot has changed in 40 years. We’re proud of how far our community has come in that time. And we’re committed to the work that still needs to be done.
Help CAP-HC build a community where everyone can thrive!
Make a donation in any amount today and help CAP-HC continue providing resources, assistance, and opportunities to children and adults with low incomes.
Sources: Average Price: Bread, White, Pan (Cost per Pound) in U.S. City Average; Average Price: Milk, Fresh, Whole, Fortified (Cost per Gallon/3.8 Liters) in U.S. City Average; Average Price: Eggs, Grade A, Large (Cost per Dozen) in U.S. City Average; Average Price: Gasoline, Unleaded Regular (Cost per Gallon) in U.S. City Average; Federal Reserve Economic Data, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Milk Price in 1986; Monthly Rent Price in 1986; WorthThen
Cost of Living in Hennepin County, MN; Cost By County