Just before the 2024 election, as the topic of immigration was at the forefront, Rural Voice visited Worthington, a community that has learned to embrace and thrive with an immigrant population. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, in just a decade, the area’s demographics shifted dramatically, with people of color comprising 43 percent of the population in 2020, compared to a predominantly white population in 2010.

This diversity largely stems from immigrants drawn to southwest Minnesota by job opportunities. Despite setbacks, Worthington has made significant strides in integrating its new residents and fostering a more inclusive community.