Growing and Going
This month's Local Look blogs use a variety of Census and labor market data to explore important trends across the state. Looking at recently released 2022 American Community Survey data, our authors explore the growing foreign-born population and labor force in the Twin Cities and Southeast, the growing Black or African American population in Northeast, and increased housing costs and incomes in Northwest Minnesota. Finally, using Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, the Central blog investigates law enforcement positions, and the Southwest blog lists the top 25 highest paying jobs in the region. For more local information, please reach out to your Regional Analyst!
The Metro Area's foreign-born population, which includes anyone who is not a U.S. citizen at birth, makes up a vitally important part of the region's total population. This is especially so as the region's total population and labor force continue to age, and as labor market conditions remain tight. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, the Metro Area had a total foreign-born population of 377,728 people in 2022. As such, this population accounted for well over one-tenth (12.0%) of the region's total population. Where the Metro Area accounts for a little over half (55.1%) of Minnesota's total population, it accounts for over three-quarters (78.4%) of Minnesota's total foreign-born population.
As guardians of public safety, Police Officers and Firefighters play an indispensable role in upholding the fabric of our society. Within these noble professions lie not only a commitment to service but also a complex web of employment trends, recruitment challenges, and evolving career pathways. Police Protection in Central Minnesota has maintained slow and consistent employment growth since the end of the Great Recession, bucking the trend in the Twin Cities, where Police Protection has declined 5% since 2019.
The total Black or African American population in Northeast Minnesota was estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau to be just under 4,400 people as of 2022. That made it the fifth largest racial or ethnic group in the seven-county region, behind White, American Indian & Alaska Native, Two or More Races, and Hispanic or Latino origin. The region's Black population grew by 21.5% since 2011, much faster than the 0.1% the total population grew over that same period. Black residents in Northeast Minnesota make up a relatively small but rapidly growing share of the total population.
The cost of housing is a big and growing portion of most household budgets, with the increasing cost of housing being a major contributor to the inflation experienced over the past few years. So, how much more of Northwest Minnesota residents' income is going toward housing compared to the past? We can compare American Community Survey (ACS) housing cost and income data from 2017 to 2022 to help answer this question.
Southeast Minnesota's labor market remained tight in 2023, maintaining a low annual unemployment rate of 2.6%. With the ongoing retirement of Baby Boomers, there's a growing focus among workforce and economic development partners on innovative strategies to expand the state's workforce. One promising approach is to tap into the potential of the foreign-born population to address labor shortages and drive economic growth. In Southeast, the foreign-born population is close to 36,000 people, making up 6.9% of the area's total population. The region has seen a significant increase in its immigrant population, with a 37.4% growth rate since 2011, outpacing both the statewide and national figures.
Striking a balance between passion and practicality is key when it comes to choosing a career. While finding fulfillment in your work is undoubtedly important, it's also perfectly valid to seek out a job that offers financial security and stability. So, if you're on the hunt for a high-paying career that aligns with your skills and interests, the question becomes: which positions should you prioritize? Join us as we navigate through the top 25 highest-paying jobs in Southwest Minnesota, shedding light on the most lucrative opportunities that await in this region.
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