Local Look blogs - Unexpected Opportunities

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Local Look

Labor Market Information

Your Regional Local Look

Twin Cities

Typically, when we think of agricultural areas across the state, we may overlook the seven-county Metro Area. Because the Metro Area accounts for 61.2% of Minnesota’s total employment, but only 14.5% of employment in Crop and Animal Production, this makes sense. While agriculture does make up a much smaller share of the Metro Area’s economy, it is still a notable part of the regional food chain.

Central Minnesota

With nearly 190,000 residents, the St. Cloud Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is the third largest MSA by population that is primarily located in Minnesota. Though the city itself also stretches into Sherburne County, the St. Cloud MSA includes just Stearns and Benton counties. Combined, these two counties account for nearly 38 percent of all jobs in the 13-county Central Minnesota region. According to data from DEED’s Current Employment Statistics program, the St. Cloud MSA averaged more than 112,000 jobs over the past three months, the highest number ever recorded.

Northeast Minnesota

Northeast Minnesota is known for being a haven for people who love outdoor activities – and winter activities take center stage this time of year. There are lots of ways to enjoy the snow in Northeast Minnesota including: snowmobiling, dogsledding, cross country skiing and downhill skiing, among many others. Of the 18 downhill ski areas in Minnesota, five are located in the Arrowhead. And these five feature some of the biggest vertical drops, longest runs and most beautiful vistas in the state. After heading downhill during the Great Recession and recovery, employment at Minnesota skiing facilities is on the way back up in recent years.

Northwest Minnesota

Northwest Minnesota is projected to attain 4.2% job growth between 2016 and 2026, placing it in the middle of the pack for planning regions in terms of regional employment growth, well ahead of slower-growing regions like Southwest and Northeast, but well behind fast-growing regions like the 7-county Twin Cities metro area and Central Minnesota.

Southeast Minnesota

Health care insurance provided by an employer is a key benefit sought by many career seekers. Unfortunately, many of the occupational groups that have the highest number of vacancies in Southeast Minnesota are also among those with lower percentages of openings that offer health care insurance benefits.

Southwest Minnesota

Adults in Southwest Minnesota without a high school diploma or GED may find themselves in a uniquely advantageous time to find work. More area employers are considering applicants without a high school education to fill job vacancies during this time of historically low unemployment.



Each month, DEED's Regional Analysis & Outreach unit produces a series of blogs exploring local labor market information. Please contact your regional analyst for more information.