Heat

May 2026 • Research Brief

Hot Observations About Shade in Minneapolis

Based on data from our national Shade Map

Researcher(s): Jean Claude Iradukunda and V. Kelly Turner

Summary:

Shade is a highly effective and low-cost way to keep people cool, and Minneapolis has more shade than most U.S. cities, largely due to tree cover. However, shade is unevenly distributed, with some neighborhoods — often lower-income and more diverse — having significantly less coverage. Addressing these gaps is critical to improving heat safety and reducing inequities across the city.