Age-Friendly Mankato & North Mankato

The 2030s are projected to be a transformative decade for the U.S. population. It will mark an important demographic turning point in our history. By 2030, all baby boomers will be older than age 65, increasing the size of the older population so that 1 in every 5 residents will be of retirement age.

VINE is committed to providing services and programming to meet the needs of our aging community members. In 2023 VINE was awarded a grant by the MN Department of Human Services and the Age-Friendly MN Council aimed at fostering collaborative efforts between Mankato and North Mankato to create more inclusive communities for older adults. VINE convened community leaders to help guide an effort that leads to the two cities adopting and implementing the AARP Age-Friendly Framework. Representatives from the community as well as the City of Mankato and North Mankato, Greater Mankato Growth, Region 9, the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging, Greater Mankato Diversity Council, Mayo Clinic Health System, Mankato Clinic, Open Door Heath Center, Blue Earth and Nicollet County Public Health, Mankato Community Education, Mankato Area Foundation, and the Chesley Center on Aging have joined VINE in this effort guided by a hired consultant.

The AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities was founded in 2012 to assist local and state governments in proactively addressing the forthcoming shift in demographics. The AARP network comprises of towns, cities, counties, and states committed to improving livability for all ages, especially older adults. In 2019, Governor Walz catalyzed these efforts for Minnesota by enacting an Executive Order dedicated to propelling the state toward age-friendly aspirations.

Joining and applying the age-friendly framework requires our community to adopt several policies and programs laid out by AARP and the state. The Age-Friendly Mankato and North Mankato Community Project Team discussed many factors such as transportation, outdoor spaces, civic engagement and employment, communications, social inclusion, health care and housing.

The AARP framework identifies eight domains of livability to enhance life for older adults. However, based on the experiences of other Age-Friendly communities, we’ve learned that starting with two or three focus areas yields the greatest success. Guided by input from nearly 30 community leaders and the results of surveys and focus groups, we’ve prioritized three social environment domains: social participation, respect and social inclusion, and communication and information.

Our research revealed that while most older adults feel Greater Mankato is a good place to age, there’s room for growth. Many residents are unaware of available resources until they face a pressing need, and those who lack advocates often find it challenging to access support. Additionally, isolation and loneliness remain significant challenges, particularly for individuals with disabilities or from diverse backgrounds.

By addressing these social domains, we aim to foster a more welcoming and connected community, where aging adults feel respected, included, and informed. This initial focus serves as the foundation for future efforts that will expand into built environment domains, such as housing, transportation, and outdoor spaces.

In 2024, North Mankato joined the AARP Age-Friendly Network of Communities and Mankato joined in 2025. 

Our vision is clear: a Greater Mankato that recognizes the dignity and worth of every individual, at every stage of life.

Through these efforts, we are laying the groundwork for lasting change, ensuring Greater Mankato is a place where everyone can thrive as they age.