Workforce

Well Educated Workforce

Minnesota has one of the most educated populations in the nation. Almost 91% of the adult population has at least a high-school diploma – the highest in the nation. More than 30% has a college degree – ranking Minnesota seventh nationally in adult educational attainment, according to the Education Research Center. The long-term outlook is even brighter. The Center scores Minnesotans a full grade higher (B+) than the national average in educational chances for success over their lifetime.

The 13-county Twin Cities Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is the fourth most educated among the top 25 MSAs. Two-year or four-year degrees are held by almost 38% of the adult population – compared to 27% nationally. (2008 American Community Survey) Nearly 12% hold graduate or professional degrees. To see how the Twin Cities MSA compares to other comparable metro areas, view the 2009 MSP Business Vitality Index on Workforce Development.

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High Workforce Participation

Minnesota has the second highest proportion of people in the workforce – 72% compared to 65% nationally (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2010) – a reflection of the state’s legendary work ethic. Minnesotans are actively engaged in the workforce and they show up! The state has one of the lowest rates of absenteeism in the country.

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Low Unemployment

Minnesota has the 11th lowest jobless rate in the country. In 2009, both Minnesota and the Twin Cities MSA had an average unemployment rate of 7.8%, compared to 9.3% nationally. Since then, Minnesota’s unemployment rate has continued to fall. As of July 2010, it dipped below 7%. (Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, 2010)

The Twin Cities MSA has also seen an improvement in employment conditions at a time when many metro areas are still shedding jobs. The Twin Cities experienced the second largest decrease in unemployment over a one year period, between July 2009 and July 2010, dropping from 8.5% to 6.8% (Bureau of Labor Statistics 2010).

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Growing Population and Labor Force

The 13-county Twin Cities MSA is the 16th most populous metro area in the U.S. After double-digit population growth during the 1990s, its population jumped by almost 8% between 2000 and 2008. In the next five years, the populationof the 11-county Metro MSP region is projected to grow by 4.6% to 3.23 million. (MSP Prospector)

Against this backdrop of steady population growth, the Metro MSP region expects to expand its labor force by 5.3% by 2012. The total projected labor force will exceed 1.9 million by 2012. (MSP Prospector, 2007)    

For features on the region’s next-gen workers, entrepreneurs and visionaries, visit The Line, a weekly web magazine that chronicles “the new urban spirit” in Minneapolis/Saint Paul.  

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Attracting and Retaining Talent

The region’s capacity to attract and retain talent is illustrated by rankings like the following.

Minneapolis/Saint Paul Named Third Best Market for Young Professionals by Forbes (2010)

The Minneapolis/Saint Paul region placed third in Forbes’ 2010 listing of “America’s Best Cities for Young Professionals.” The report ranks the 48 U.S. metropolitan areas with more than 1 million people that are also expected to have job growth in 2011. The Twin Cities ranked well for its low rate of unemployment, its number of large companies, and its reasonable cost of living. It was topped only by only Houston and Washington, D.C.

Minneapolis and Saint Paul Dominate the List of Next Cities™ for Young, Talented Workers (2009)

The Twin Cities dominate the list of 2009-2010 U.S. Next Cities™ with populations of 200,000-500,000. Minneapolis ranks second and Saint Paul is fifth in the “midsize magnets” category. The list was developed by Next Generation Consulting, a research and consulting company which evaluates cities based on characteristics that matter to young talent. Here’s what matters, in order of importance: cost of lifestyle; earning; vitality; after hours; learning; around town; and social capital.

Forbes Names Twin Cities Best Place for Working Mothers (2010)

Minneapolis/Saint Paul topped Forbes magazine’s list of the Top 20 Cities for Working Mothers. In selecting the 2010 winners, the magazine factored in the cost of living, crime rates, unemployment rates, school systems and health care, among other criteria.

Metro MPS Region Shines in National Quality-of-Life Comparison (2010)

The Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area ranks third in the U.S. for quality of life, according to a 2010 study of 67 major metro areas conducted by Portfolio.com. It study was based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2006-2008 American Community Survey. It compared 20 factors that make a city a great place to live and work. “The highest scores went to the well-rounded markets with healthy economies, moderate costs of living, light traffic, impressive housing stocks and high-powered educational systems.”

Minneapolis Makes RelocateAmerica's Top 10 Places to Live (2010)

Minneapolis ranks among America’s top 10 cities to live in, according to RelocateAmerica’s 13th annual ranking of the "Top 100 Places to Live." The 2010 list focuses on “communities poised for recovery and future growth,” noting that “the recent economic downturn has had less effect in Minneapolis due to its diverse and stable economy.” RelocateAmerica calls Minneapolis “a vibrant, progressive city with a well educated populous, affordable housing, excellent schools, diverse neighborhoods, solid green initiatives, the nation’s best park and recreational system, and an outstanding quality of life.” It gives special mention to the city’s “thriving college and university scene” and “incredible cultural draws

Minneapolis Named America’s “Happiest City for Families” by Sperling’s BestPlaces (2009)

Minneapolis was all smiles when Oregon-based Sperling's BestPlaces named it America’s “happiest city for families.” The 2009 independent study compared the 50 largest metro area in the country on such crowd-pleasers as social activities, neighborhood get-togethers, recreational resources and spending on “fun activities.” Sperling's also gave Minneapolis a star on the refrigerator for its renowned park system, one of the best in the nation. The study was commissioned by McDonald’s in honor of the 30th anniversary of its Happy Meal.

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Large Technology Talent Pool

Minnesota's high-tech employment has exploded since the 1990s. Today, more than 8,000 high-tech firms employ nearly 270,000 skilled workers. The state also boasts the second highest number of medical technology jobs in the nation. Just a few of the world-renowned high-tech companies that call MSP home for corporate headquarters include 3M, Medtronic, St. Jude Medical, H.B. Fuller, Ecolab, and Imation.

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Key Labor Force Descriptors

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008 American Community Survey

For more workforce data on the 11-county Metro MSP region, click on Data Center or MSP Prospector. For long-range labor force estimates and projections, visit the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).

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