The presence of such industry powerhouses as Polaris, Arctic Cat and New Flyer make Northwest Minnesota a hub of transportation equipment manufacturing.
From wheat and potatoes to soybeans and sugar beets, the region is a major producer and processor of food staples and specialty agricultural products.
Want the freshest data delivered by email? Subscribe to our regional newsletters.
May is Hire a Veteran Month in Minnesota, and the data shows there is a relatively large veteran labor force in the Northwest.
4/22/2026 1:32:47 PM
Anthony Schaffhauser
In honor of Hire a Veteran Month, let's recognize the vital role that veterans play in Northwest Minnesota's workforce. Beyond their extraordinary service to our nation, veterans continue to strengthen the economy and communities of this region through their active participation in the labor force. And because the Northwest has a relatively large veteran labor force, they have an outsized contribution to the region's economy and communities.
According to the 2020–2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, veterans make up an estimated 4.1% of the Northwest's age 18–64 labor force. That figure places Northwest Minnesota in a close second behind the Northeast region at 4.2%, with Central Minnesota a more distant third at 3.6%.
But the regional percentages only tell part of the story. When Minnesota's counties are ranked individually, six of the top 10 counties by veteran labor force concentration are located in the Northwest, representing more than 23% of the region's 26 counties. By comparison, Central contributes two of its 13 counties to the top ten, the Northeast contributes just one of its seven, and the Southwest contributes one of its 23. Simply put, Northwest Minnesota punches well above its weight when it comes to veteran workforce representation (Table 1).
| Table 1: Top Ten Counties by Percent of Age 18 to 64 Labor Force that are Veterans | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planning Region | County | Total Labor Force | Veterans in Labor Force | Percent Veterans in Labor Force |
| Northwest Minnesota | Lake of the Woods | 1,848 | 130 | 7.0% |
| Northwest Minnesota | Red Lake | 1,765 | 103 | 5.8% |
| Central Minnesota | Kanabec | 7,194 | 404 | 5.6% |
| Southwest Minnesota | Chippewa | 5,419 | 292 | 5.4% |
| Northwest Minnesota | Morrison | 15,372 | 810 | 5.3% |
| Northeast Minnesota | Carlton | 16,256 | 854 | 5.3% |
| Northwest Minnesota | Clearwater | 3,484 | 181 | 5.2% |
| Northwest Minnesota | Kittson | 1,715 | 88 | 5.1% |
| Northwest Minnesota | Becker | 15,028 | 756 | 5.0% |
| Central Minnesota | Isanti | 21,118 | 1030 | 4.9% |
| Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020-2024 American Community Survey. | ||||
While Northwest Minnesota's veteran workforce is a genuine regional strength, the data also reveals a significant opportunity. At 5.6%, the Northwest has the highest veteran unemployment rate of any region in the state — notably higher than the statewide veteran rate of 4.6%, and well above the Northwest's own nonveteran unemployment rate of 4.2% (Table 2). For context, Southeast Minnesota's veterans fare best, with an unemployment rate of just 2.5%, and even the 7-County Metro's veteran unemployment rate of 5.0% trails the Northwest's figure.
| Table 2: Minnesota Regional Veteran and Nonveteran Labor Force and Unemployment | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region | Labor Force | Unemployed | Unemployment Rate | |||
| Veteran | Nonveteran | Veteran | Nonveteran | Veteran | Nonveteran | |
| Central Minnesota | 13,089 | 355,989 | 528 | 12,640 | 4.0% | 3.6% |
| 7-County Metro | 45,796 | 1,599,263 | 2,308 | 64,414 | 5.0% | 4.0% |
| Northeast Minnesota | 6,204 | 140,482 | 278 | 6,664 | 4.5% | 4.7% |
| Northwest Minnesota | 10,607 | 249,573 | 597 | 10,518 | 5.6% | 4.2% |
| Southeast Minnesota | 8,813 | 244,772 | 217 | 8,453 | 2.5% | 3.5% |
| Southwest Minnesota | 5,715 | 182,186 | 197 | 6,456 | 3.4% | 3.5% |
| Minnesota Statewide | 90,224 | 2,772,265 | 4,125 | 109,145 | 4.6% | 3.9% |
| Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020-2024 American Community Survey | ||||||
Those rates translate to real numbers worth heeding. In raw numbers, the Northwest's 597 unemployed veterans aged 18–64 represent the largest count of unemployed veterans among Greater Minnesota regions — a reflection of both the elevated unemployment rate and the region's sizeable veteran labor force of 10,607, the second largest among Greater Minnesota regions behind Central Minnesota's 13,089.
It is also worth noting that Northwest veterans face a notably different dynamic than their nonveteran neighbors. In most regions, veterans and nonveterans experience broadly similar unemployment rates. In the Northwest, however, veterans are unemployed at a rate 1.4 percentage points higher than nonveterans — one of the largest such gaps in the state. This indicates the continued need for targeted outreach and connection efforts.
The high concentration of veteran workers in Northwest Minnesota is more than a demographic footnote; it represents a meaningful talent pipeline for regional employers facing persistent workforce challenges. Veterans bring a unique combination of technical training, leadership experience, adaptability, and a strong work ethic that translates across industries. Nearly 600 unemployed veteran job seekers in the region, based on 2020–2024 estimates, represent a substantial opportunity to connect the right candidates with the right employers.
Employers looking to learn more about the benefits of hiring veterans and how to connect with veteran job seekers can reach out to their regional Veterans Employment Representative.
Veterans seeking assistance with translating military experience into civilian career opportunities, career exploration, or job search support can access services through CareerForce Veterans Employment Services.
For more information about veterans and employment in Northwest Minnesota, contact Anthony Schaffhauser at Anthony.Schaffhauser@state.mn.us.
