Labor Force

Washington County’s labor force is talented and growing. Between 2020 and 2030, it is projected that the population of 25 to 34-year-olds living in the county will grow by 65 percent. Businesses locating here can tap into that growing population. In addition, there are over 100,000 people leaving the county for work every day - 100,000 people that could be working for companies moving to Washington County. 

The Numbers

According to the Minnesota State Demographic Center, Washington County had an estimated population of 261,512 people in 2018. As such, Washington County is Minnesota’s 5th most-populated county.

Between 2017 and 2018, Washington County’s population expanded by 1.8 percent, adding 4,607 people. This made it Minnesota’s 5th largest- and 3rd-fastest growing county during that period of time. For reference, Minnesota’s population expanded by 0.9 percent between 2017 and 2018, adding 51,929 people.

Between 2008 and 2018, Washington County’s population expanded by 11.6 percent, adding 27,164 people. This made it Minnesota’s 4th largest- and 7th-fastest growing county during that period of time. For reference, Minnesota population expanded by 6.5 percent between 2008 and 2018, adding 341,440 people.

There has not been one year since 1990 where Washington County’s population declined over the previous year. Since 1990, annual population growth in Washington County has averaged 2.1 percent, equivalent to 4,129 people per year.

According to the Department of Employment and Economic Development’s (DEED) Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS), Washington County’s total labor force equaled 141,974 people in 2018. The county’s labor force grew by 12,652 people between 2008 and 2018, averaging 1.0 percent annual growth.


 

Washington County Industry Employment Statistics, 2015

NAICS Industry Title Number of Firms Number of Jobs Percent of Jobs Total Payroll Avg. Annual Wage
Total, All Industries 5,231 79,112 100.0% $3,478,314,461 $43,992
Retail Trade 684 13,051 16.5% $328,820,246 $25,168
Health Care & Social Assistance 546 11,408 14.4% $550,298,480 $48,204
Accommodation & Food Services 383 8,949 11.3% $146,562,210 $16,328
Manufacturing 203 7,990 10.1% $510,327,272 $63,908
Educational Services 139 7,330 9.3% $315,013,496 $42,796
Public Administration 54 3,617 4.6% $187,901,224 $51,896
Construction 516 3,338 4.2% $194,695,496 $58,292
Finance & Insurance 337 3,306 4.2% $250,901,273 $75,868
Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services 643 3,177 4.0% $207,917,173 $65,312
Administrative & Support Services 268 3,135 4.0% $142,493,483 $45,552
Other Services 578 3,074 3.9% $79,404,718 $25,792
Transportation & Warehousing 138 2,584 3.3% $109,423,567 $42,276
Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation 123 2,121 2.7% $34,322,013 $16,172
Wholesale Trade 203 1,957 2.5% $142,004,378 $72,540
Management of Companies 43 1,503 1.9% $160,012,587 $107,016
Real Estate, Rental & Leasing 258 790 1.9% $29,425,257 $37,180
Agriculture 44 712 0.9% $24,859,143 $35,048
Information 60 699 0.9% $25,318,426 $36,244
Utilities 7 298 0.4% $33,628,441 $112,788

 

Source: DEED Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW)

 

Workforce

Total Businesses

7,337

Total Employed

94,965

Workers 16+

133,617

2022 Retail Trade Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

1,052

Employed

22,939

2022 HealthCare/Social Assist

cp-industries

Businesses

774

Employed

12,333

2022 Accommodation/Food Service

cp-industries

Businesses

482

Employed

10,050

2022 Building Matl/Garden Equip

N

Businesses

118

Employed

8,103

2022 Food Service/Drinking Estab

cp-industries

Businesses

426

Employed

8,076

2022 Other Service excl Pub Admin

cp-industries

Businesses

780

Employed

5,655

Some
High School

3,674

Graduated
High School

34,410

Associates
Degree

21,524

Bachelor's
Degree

56,484

Graduate
Degree

32,115

Average Commute Time

26 min.



Resident Commuters

54,632

Non-Resident Commuters

75,144

Drive Alone

107,023

Carpooled

9,447

Public

2,525

Work At Home

12,128