Minnesota Economic Trends
Minnesota Economic Trends is our quarterly online magazine that provides expert analysis of the state's labor market, industries and economy.
Produced by our Labor Market Information Office, the online magazine features articles on workforce, demographic, and economic trends written by our labor market analysts and guest columnists.
View previous editions of Minnesota Economic Trends, dating back to 1993.
June 2021
LMI analysts provide a summary look at Minnesota’s labor market and employment trends in our annual State of the State issue, including articles that focus on regional trends throughout the state. In addition, analysts take a deep dive on one of the driving questions of the day that many employers across Minnesota are asking: where are the workers?
March 2021
Our March issue of Trends includes an in-depth feature article exploring how racial and ethnic disparities follow high school graduation in Minnesota, a follow-up article on the early care and education industry with a proposal for a higher pay scale, an introduction to our new Comparing Recessions tool by looking at how industries have fared this year versus the past two recessions, and our updated 4th quarter 2021 forecast. This issue also provides an article examining college instructional program decisions based on Graduate Employment Outcomes, and a brief analysis of the changes in the amount of people who are teleworking - which more than tripled due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
December 2020
Our December issue of Trends provides information about the initial impacts of COVID-19 on the Minnesota economy. This includes our 3rd Quarter forecast, which presents scenarios for job recovery, an article about the profile of risk for prolonged unemployment based on demographic characteristics, and an article exploring CARES Act-related federal and state spending in Minnesota. It also includes articles on unemployment changes and the new Occupations in Demand list and tool for 2020.
September 2020
Our September issue of Trends provides information about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected different industries and workers. Our cover story looks at the health care industry workforce during the pandemic. We also provide a state-by-state comparison of labor market indicators. Other articles include an examination of where the workers are in Northeast Minnesota, a look at the early learning industry - which has sustained a quiet crisis for decades - during COVID, as well as a look at labor market outcomes of Latinos who attended higher education in Minnesota and an article explaining the state's Eligible Training Provider List.
June 2020
Our annual state-of-the-state issue of Trends provides an overview of Minnesota’s labor market and takes a close look at each of the state’s six regions.
March 2020
The March 2020 issue of Minnesota Economic Trends was being finalized as the first cases of COVID-19 appeared in Minnesota. At that point, the LMI Office and agency as a whole shifted focus - with all hands on deck to address the crisis. As a result, we decided to keep this issue short and not produce a printed version. We hope you enjoy these three stories.
The July issue will be our annual State of the State issue in which we will summarize what we know about the impact COVID-19 is having on Minnesota's labor market and economy.
December 2019
Over 600,000 Minnesotans reported having at least one disability in 2018 – that’s 11 percent of the state’s population. Living with a disability is associated with a high poverty rate. Although poverty rates have fallen, the gap has endured for several years. Our cover story Disability Employment Statistics, compares and contrasts labor market statistics of Minnesotans with a disability with the general population and Minnesotans with no disability.
September 2019
Hiring Difficulties in Manufacturing summarizes detailed employer interviews on hiring skilled production, repair and engineering technician occupations in manufacturing. The most difficult to fill are CNC programmers, machinists, mechanical engineering technicians, and quality technicians/inspectors.
June 2019
In this issue we take a close-up look at each of the state’s six major regions. The overall story is one of slowing job growth paired with demographic trends – retirements of baby boomers, for one – that can no longer be ignored.
March 2019
The cover story in this issue of TRENDS looks at how two communities on the move, Barnesville and Cottage Grove, pair a DEED dataset with strategy to keep business thriving.
December 2018
This issue of Trends features a story on the impact of automation on Minnesota's labor market.
September 2018
This issue of Trends includes a cover story about careers at medical and diagnostic laboratories.
June 2018
Our annual state-of-the-state issue of Trends provides an overview of the Minnesota economy and takes a close look at each of the state’s six major regions.
March 2018
The cover story in this issue of Trends looks at the value of a postsecondary education in terms of earnings and examines how factors such as gender, age and race affect who is likely to earn a degree. Choice of major and the financial impact of dropping out of school early also are analyzed.
December 2017
This issue of Trends includes a cover story by Steve Hine and Cameron Macht about the growing number of immigrants in the Minnesota workforce. With the labor market tightening as baby boomers retire, foreign-born workers are becoming increasingly crucial in helping employers fill openings.
September 2017
The cover story in this issue of Trends investigates the shortage of mental health workers in Minnesota, looking at the state’s educational pipeline for professionals in the field, potential policy implications and more.
June 2017
Our annual state-of-the-state issue of Trends provides an overview of the state economy and examines how Minnesota’s six major regions are doing midway through 2017
March 2017
The cover story in this issue looks at “stackable credentials” and whether they lead to better employment and wage outcomes.
December 2016
The cover story in this issue of Minnesota Economic Trends looks at employment in the construction industry.
September 2016
This issue’s cover story focuses on the rising cost of higher education and whether continuing an education after high school pays off in the long run.
June 2016
Our annual state-of-the state issue that contains a series of articles reviewing Minnesota’s recent labor market performance
March 2016
The cover story in this issue of Minnesota Economic Trends focuses on careers in supply chain management.
December 2015
This issue of Minnesota Economic Trends focuses on racial and economic disparities in Minnesota.
September 2015
In this issue: Engineering Our Environment, Distinguishing Features, Metro Occupational Mixes, Prisoner's Dilemma, Show Me the Money, Exploring Career Options
June 2015
Our annual state-of-the state issue examines how the Minnesota economy is doing six years after the end of the recession.
March 2015
Cover story examines how wages for Minnesotans who left their jobs and found new jobs during the recession compare with the wages of people who left jobs and found new work after the recession.
December 2014
This issue features a cover story on jobs in the STEM fields – science, technology, engineering and math.
September 2014
The cover story takes an in-depth look at careers in precision metal manufacturing, focusing on three people who have worked in the industry.
June 2014
Our annual state-of-the-state issue, featuring an in-depth look at the state economy and where it’s headed.
December 2013
This issue features a cover story on the rapidly growing craft brewing industry in Minnesota.
September 2013
Cover story takes a close look at the demographics behind Minnesota's unemployment numbers.
June 2013
Our annual state-of-the-state issue, featuring an in-depth look at the state economy and where it’s headed.
March 2013
Cover story focuses on careers in law enforcement, highlighting police officers and correctional caseworkers.