This 1997 Minnesota Kids Count report examines child poverty and changing demographics in the state of Minnesota, and focuses on nine risk indicators for the years 1991 through 1995 in Minnesota's 87 counties. Following a discussion of myths and truths about poverty in Minnesota and a look at demographic changes in the state from 1990 to 1995, findings related to the following risk indicators are analyzed and presented by county in tabular form: (1) children receiving AFDC; (2) children eligible for free or reduced-price school lunch; (3) children born to teenage mothers; (4) children born at low birth weight; (5) children dropping out of school; (6) children arrested for violent crime; (7) children abused and neglected; (8) children in out-of-home placements; (10) children dying violently. Section 2 provides state and county profiles of the same risk indicators. Trends that emerge from five (or in some cases, four) years of data are: an increase in arrests of juveniles for violent crimes; a slow increase the percentage of children dropping out of school; a slow but steady increase in the percentage of children born to teenagers, compared to the decreasing national rate; and, since 1993, a decrease in the number of children receiving AFDC. Contains data notes, a list of other resources, and end notes. (DR)