Sometimes a picture (in this case, a graphic) really can be worth a thousand words,
It shows an estimate of the percentage of each state’s population that identifies as transgender. Minnesota leads the nation.
The data reflected on the above graphic can be found here on the website of the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law. Williams describes itself as follows,
The Williams Institute is the leading research center on sexual orientation and gender identity law and public policy. We ensure that facts — not stereotypes — inform laws, policies, and judicial decisions that affect the LGBTQ community.
The Williams survey puts Minnesota’s transgender population at 1.21 percent. The transgender share of young adults (ages 18-24) is estimated at 4.2 percent for Minnesota, also the nation’s highest level.
The national average is estimated at 0.8 percent. That would place Minnesota at 52 percent above the national average. New Mexico ranks as the lowest state with 0.41 percent.
Two other states of note, Tennessee and Utah, both have adult transgender populations above 1 percent.
The report itself is dated August 2025 and is based on 2023-vintage survey data. In April 2023, Gov. Tim Walz signed legislation to establish Minnesota as a ‘trans refuge’ state. (Quotes in the original.)
Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) covered the Williams report earlier this month.
