There are 23 counties in the /deed/data/regional-lmi/southwest-lmi.jspSouthwest Minnesota planning region, ranging in size from around 5,100 people in /deed/assets/052725_bigstone_tcm1045-407649.pdfBig Stone County to just over 70,000 people in /deed/assets/052725_blueearth_tcm1045-407650.pdfBlue Earth County. Each county shares some similarities, but also has unique features that set it apart. If you're interested in understanding the social and economic landscape of Southwest Minnesota, /deed/data/regional-lmi/index.jspDEED's Regional Analysis & Outreach unit produces 8-page /deed/data/data-tools/county-profiles/index.jspCounty Profiles that provide a comprehensive snapshot—offering everything from employment trends and wage data to population demographics and labor market insights.

Released in January, these profiles are living documents—updated regularly to reflect the latest information available from sources like /deed/data/data-tools/index.jspDEED's Labor Market Information office and the Census Bureau. Each profile delivers up-to-date, data-driven summaries designed to help local leaders, businesses, and job seekers understand local conditions and make informed decisions. Whether you're planning a business expansion, analyzing workforce trends, or exploring community growth opportunities, these profiles will give you the information you need.

Here's a glimpse of what's included:

• Demographic Breakdown – Learn about population changes, age distribution, and diversity.
• Labor Market Insights – Uncover educational attainment, unemployment rates, workforce participation, and commuting characteristics.
• Incomes and Cost of Living – Get an understanding of how much households in the region earn, how much houses cost, poverty rates, and cost of living for various family sizes.
• Industry Data – Explore the leading industries in each county, including sector-specific employment and wage data and job growth trends.

The County Profiles for Southwest Minnesota are located here:

• /deed/assets/052725_bigstone_tcm1045-407649.pdfBig Stone
• /deed/assets/052725_blueearth_tcm1045-407650.pdfBlue Earth
• /deed/assets/052725_brown_tcm1045-407652.pdfBrown
• /deed/assets/052725_chippewa_tcm1045-407653.pdfChippewa
• /deed/assets/052725_cottonwood_tcm1045-407654.pdfCottonwood
• /deed/assets/052725_faribault_tcm1045-407655.pdfFaribault
• /deed/assets/052725_jackson_tcm1045-407657.pdfJackson
• /deed/assets/052725_lacquiparle_tcm1045-407658.pdfLac qui Parle
• /deed/assets/052725_lesueur_tcm1045-407661.pdfLe Sueur
• /deed/assets/052725_lincoln_tcm1045-407662.pdfLincoln
• /deed/assets/052725_lyon_tcm1045-407663.pdfLyon
• /deed/assets/052725_martin_tcm1045-407664.pdfMartin
• /deed/assets/052725_murray_tcm1045-407665.pdfMurray
• /deed/assets/052725_nicollet_tcm1045-407678.pdfNicollet
• /deed/assets/052725_nobles_tcm1045-407667.pdfNobles
• /deed/assets/052725_pipestone_tcm1045-407668.pdfPipestone
• /deed/assets/052725_redwood_tcm1045-407670.pdfRedwood
• /deed/assets/052725_rock_tcm1045-407671.pdfRock
• /deed/assets/052725_sibley_tcm1045-407672.pdfSibley
• /deed/assets/052725_swift_tcm1045-407673.pdfSwift
• /deed/assets/052725_waseca_tcm1045-407674.pdfWaseca
• /deed/assets/052725_watonwan_tcm1045-407675.pdfWatonwan
• /deed/assets/052725_yellowmedicine_tcm1045-407676.pdfYellow Medicine

For More Information

Contact Luke Greiner at luke.greiner@state.mn.us or Amanda Blaschko at amanda.blaschko@state.mn.us.