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Ramsey County | Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan 19 • Vulnerability is also shaped by the composition of households in the county. Individuals under the age of 18 make up 23.1% of the population, while individuals over the age of 65 represent 15.1%. • Additionally, 12.0% of individuals in Ramsey County report having a disability, which can affect the ability to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters. • Single-parent households account for 5.7% of all households in Ramsey County, a group that may face heightened vulnerability due to resource constraints. Areas with more elderly, youth, people with disabilities and single parent households with young children have a higher vulnerability score. Areas of moderate to high vulnerability are found along & north of I-94, Saint Paul’s East and West Sides, and in areas in Mounds View, New Brighton, Maplewood, White Bear Lake, Roseville and Little Canada. 2.4.3 MINORITY STATUS AND LANGUAGE Minority status and language barriers increase hazard vulnerability as marginalized communities may face systemic discrimination, limited access to resources, and reduced trust in authorities. Language barriers can hinder the ability to receive critical emergency information and access services. Limited English proficiency can put individuals at higher risk because they might not be aware of or fully understand evacuation orders and other warnings, instructions on how to access critical City services, or other communication from first responders. This barrier exacerbates efforts for preparedness, increases their risks during disasters, and prolongs the recovery process. • Ramsey County is home to a diverse population, with 40.4% of residents identifying as a racial or ethnic minority. These groups often face barriers to accessing resources and services during emergencies. • Language proficiency is a significant factor in vulnerability. Ramsey County has a significant portion of the population with limited English proficiency. 23.5% of residents speak a language other than English at home, with the most common languages being Asian and Pacific Island languages (10.6%) and Spanish (5.3%). This may indicate potential communication challenges in the event of an emergency. Areas with more minorities and people age 5+ who speak English "less than well" have a higher vulnerability score. Areas of moderate to high vulnerability are shown in areas along and north of I-94, Saint Paul’s East and West sides, and in areas in Mounds View, Saint Anthony, Maplewood, Lauderdale, Falcon Heights, and Little Canada. 2.4.4 HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION Housing and transportation affect hazard vulnerability because individuals in substandard housing or densely populated areas are more likely to experience severe damage during disasters. Access to affordable housing can be a challenge and disasters that result in property damage can further constrain the housing market. For some low income or diverse populations, they may have only been able to purchase homes in areas with increased hazard risk exposure as they have limited income or have experienced issues with housing access due to historic discriminatory practices.