SECTION HIGHLIGHTS
Financial Assistance
Read about our business incentives for moving your business into the northland.
financial | workforce | tax-free zone

Serving the Iron Range and northeastern Minnesota
Labor Market
The right people, right skills, right cost
Companies looking to recruit skilled workers to fill open employment positions in a tightening labor market are finding the right people in northeastern Minnesota. Employers that face the increasing challenge of recruiting highly-trained, dependable employees, are looking to northeastern Minnesota to fulfill their labor requirements. See the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development statics below to learn more about northeastern Minnesota's workforce.
Get the Stats
Minnesota's Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) tracks the profile of the state's labor market.
| NE Minnesota Total labor force (excluding Duluth) | 122,607 |
| Employed | 116,167 |
| Unemployed Labor Force | 6,441 |
| 2006 Annual Unemployment Rate | 5.3% |
Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) – 2007.
For the most recent information available about wages, unemployment, census figures, job vacancies, and labor-related articles, visit: http://www.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/Home.htm
Low Turnover, Dedicated Employees
The people in northeastern Minnesota are known for their work ethic, dedication and loyalty to employers. The Minnesota State Planning Agency reports that the region's employee-turnover percentage rate is significantly lower than other parts of Minnesota and the nation.
A Skilled WorkforceThe region's workers bring valuable technical skills and experience to their jobs | |
| Age | % of workforce |
| 16-24 years | 17.1% |
| 24-44 years | 40.4% |
| 45-64 years | 39.5% |
| Skills | % of total workforce |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 22.4% |
| Retail Trade | 16.2% |
| Manufacturing | 9.8% |
| Construction | 5.8% |
| Finance & Insurance | 4.7% |
| Mining | 3.3% |
Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, 2007.
