Aitkin County Income Charts

This section shows the Aitkin County Minnesota economy using the most recent economic analysis from the 2020 Census Bureau. Starting with Figure 1 which shows the median earnings per worker, Aitkin County depicts it has a Median earnings of $42,663 which is less than most other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest median earnings per worker in the area is Carlton County which shows a median earnings of $49,398 (15.8% larger). Comparing median earnings per worker to the United States average of $49,041, Aitkin County is about 14.9% smaller. Also, compared to the state of Minnesota, median earnings per worker of $52,993, Aitkin County is about 24.2% smaller.

In Figure 2 a more complete view of income is shown which aggregates income from all members in the household and it has a Median household income of $49,351 which is the smallest in order of median household income of all the other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest median household income in the area is Carlton County which shows a median income of $63,098 (27.9% larger). Comparing median household income to the United States average of $62,843, Aitkin County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, benchmarked against the state of Minnesota, median household income of $71,306, Aitkin County is approximately three-fourths the size.

Figure 5 has the Average number of hours worked in a typical work week during the year, it has a Avg Hours Worked of 39.0 which is the highest of all counties in the greater Aitkin County region. Dividing median annual worker earnings by the average number of hours worked in a year in Figure 6 shows that it has a Avg Hrly Earnings of $21.04 which is the second smallest when sorted by average hourly earnings of all the other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest average hourly earnings in the area is Carlton County which depicts an average hourly earnings of $25.33 (20.4% larger). Comparing average hourly earnings to the United States average of $24.31, Aitkin County is about 15.5% smaller. Also, compared to the state of Minnesota, average hourly earnings of $26.61, Aitkin County is approximately three-fourths the size.

Figure 7 examines the number of self employed people in the Aitkin County metro area based on the number of people who reported any self employment income. Aitkin County shows it has a Self Employed of 11.5% which is the second smallest when sorted by percentage of people self employed of all the other counties in the area. The county with the highest percentage of people self employed in the area is Kanabec County which shows a percentage self employed of 14.9% (30.0% larger).

Turning our attention to Figure 8, the median household income by age group, has the smallest proportion of median income-under 25 years at $55,257 of the total. Second, it has the second smallest when sorted by median income for those under 25 years of age of all the other counties in the local area in order of median income-25 to 44 years at $60,201 of the total. Third, it has in the mid range of other counties in the greater region in terms of median income-45 to 64 years at $41,144 of the total.

Figure 9 breaks down the source of income and Aitkin County has the largest proportion of self employment income at 20.5% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of investment and retirement income at 17.2% of the total and is ranked #1.

The next chart (Figure 11) shows the percentage of households that had retirement income over the last 12 months and it has a With Retirement Income of 31.1% which is ranked #1 of all counties in the greater Aitkin County region.

In the next chart, Figure 12, the median family income is shown for families broken down by racial group and has the smallest proportion of overall family income at $61,627 of the total. Second, it has in the middle range of other counties in the greater region in order of black family income at $40,208 of the total. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of hawaiian family income at $88,194 of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Carlton County with $111,667.

Figure 13 shows the cost of living and other consumer spending categories for a variety of cost components from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Aitkin County depicts it has the hightest cost of 117.2 for the cost of utilities grouping.

Aitkin County Labor Force Charts

The next two charts look at very recent, monthly trended employment related performance using data estimated by economists at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS tracks unemployment statistics for a large number of areas throughout the country on a month to month basis. However, not every location in the U.S. is tracked by the BLS so the chart will only show the closest location available (which may be the same location.) Figure 14 shows the monthly unemployment rate for the area as well as a comparison to the overall national economy measure for the United States. Note that in March to April 2020, the Covid 19 recession or great recession occurred and affects this metric. . It shows that from February 2010 to before the disasterous COVID-19 Pandemic the monthly unemployment rate went from 13.1% to 8.0% in February 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 38.9%. Since that time, the monthly unemployment rate has gone to 4.3% This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 46.3%. In Figure 15 the monthly labor force participation which are people actively looking for work are also defined as unemployed but do not include people who have given up looking for work. . It depicts that from February 2010 to before the Wuhan Coronavirus/COVID Pandemic the monthly labor force participation went from 7,294 to 7,243 in February 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of very little. Since that time, the monthly labor force participation has gone to 7,080 This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of 2.3%.

The next two charts look at the annual unemployment rate/eligible for unemployment benefits and is based on the American Community survey. Figure 16 shows Aitkin County depicts it has a Unemployment Rate of 2.4% which is in the middle range of other counties in the local area. The county with the highest unemployment rate in the area is Mille Lacs County which depicts a rate of 3.7% (54.1% larger). Figure 17 shows the labor force participation using the estimated percentage of people either working or actively looking for work. Aitkin County depicts it has a Labor Force Participation of 48.8% which is the smallest when sorted by participation rate of all the other counties in the greater region.

The Components of Employment Status graph in Figure 18 shows the composition of the labor force broken down by employed, unemployed, and not in the labor force (but 16 years of age or older). Aitkin County has the largest proportion of unemployed at 51.2% of the total and is ranked #1.

The percentage of full-time workers are compared to the number of part-time workers in Figure 19. Aitkin County depicts full time employees approximately 2.9 times bigger as the part time employees.

The next employment related data item is shown in Figure 21 which is the percentage of families with only a single earner in the greater Aitkin County area. Aitkin County shows it has a Single Earner Families of 25.5% which is in the center range of other counties in the metropolitan area. The county with the highest families with a single earner in the area is Pine County which shows a single earners rate of 25.9% ( only slightly larger). The percentage of families with no one working is depicted in Figure 22. Aitkin County shows it has a Families with No One Working of 35.2% which is the highest of all counties in the greater Aitkin County region.

Aitkin County Poverty Charts

The next section details economy analysis about poverty for residents of the Aitkin County community. This performance can be enhanced by government programs such as economic opportunity zone to influence manufacturing, job growth, economic opportunity an hopefully lead to economic recovery after the recent Covid 19 recession. In Figure 23 the total number of people earning less than the poverty level are shown. Aitkin County shows it has a Total In Poverty of 1,896 which is the second smallest when sorted by total people earning less than the poverty level of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest total people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Crow Wing County which depicts a total people earning less than the poverty level of 6,810 (approximately 3.6 times bigger).

In Figure 24 the percentage of people earning less than the poverty level is shown and compared across the group of places. Aitkin County depicts it has a Percent of Population In Poverty of 12.2% which is the third most of all other counties in the local area. The county with the highest percent of people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Cass County which depicts a percent of people in poverty of 13.6% (11.5% larger).

In Figure 25 people who are in poverty are broken out by age group. Aitkin County has the smallest proportion of person in poverty 12 to 17 years at 17% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of person in poverty 18 to 34 years at 16% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of person in poverty 35 to 54 years at 17% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of person in poverty 55 to 64 years at 25% of the total and is ranked #1.

The next chart, Figure 26, shows the percentage of people in poverty by racial group. Aitkin County has the percentage of white poverty rate the second smallest when ranked by white poverty rate of all the other counties in the local area at 25% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of black poverty rate at 23% of the total. Third, it has the second smallest in terms of white poverty rate of all the other counties in the metro area in terms of hawaiian poverty rate at 15% of the total. Additionally, Figure 30 looks at the percentage of people who receive some form of public assistance including general assistance, temporary assistance or food stamps (i.e. SNAP.) Aitkin County shows it has a Public Assistance Percent of 10.3% which is the second smallest as measured by households with public assistance of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest households with public assistance in the area is Cass County which depicts a households with public assistance of 12.5% (21.2% larger).

Figure 31 shows the "Gini Index of Income Inequality" with a range from zero (perfect equality) to one (perfect inequality). Aitkin County shows it has a Gini Index of 42.5% which is in the middle range of other counties in the surrounding region.

Aitkin County Work Commute Charts

Figure 33 shows a more detailed view of how the population commutes to work for (for example to downtown Aitkin County or elsewhere.) Aitkin County has the largest proportion of people who take the ferry at 0% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of people who took a taxicab, motorcycle or other at 2% of the total and is ranked #1.

In Figure 35 is shown a frequency distribution of the time that people leave for work. Aitkin County has the percentage of people who leave for work between 12am to 5am the second smallest in terms of people who leave for work between 12am to 5am of all the other counties in the surrounding region at 3% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 630 am to 7am at 22% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 730 am to 8am at 9% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 9am to 10am at 1% of the total. In addition, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 10am to 11am at 0% of the total. Furthermore, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 12noon to 4pm at 4% of the total.

The next graph in Figure 36 shows the average number of minutes that it takes for people to commute to work. Aitkin County has the percentage of people with commute time of less than 5 minutesutes the second smallest when ranked by people with commute time of less than 5 minutes of all the other counties in the surrounding region at 13% of the total.

The average commute time is shown in Figure 37. Aitkin County depicts it has a Avg Commute Time of 28 which is in the mid range of other counties in the metropolitan area. Figure 38 shows the difference between male versus female commuting time. Aitkin County depicts average commute time in minutes for men 48.6% larger as the average commute time in minutes for women. Figure 40 shows the total number of vehicles available for transportation and Aitkin County has the largest proportion of no vehicle available at 18% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the second smallest in terms of no vehicle available of all the other counties in the local area as measured by 3 vehicles available at 9% of the total. Figure 41 shows the percentage of people who both work and live in the same city (town or place.) Aitkin County depicts it has a Work in city or place where live of 52% which is the largest of all counties in the greater Aitkin County region. Comparing people who both work and live in the same city to the United States average of 42%, Aitkin County is 23.6% larger. Also, compared to the state of Minnesota, people who both work and live in the same city of 34%, Aitkin County is 52.1% larger.

Aitkin County Jobs Charts

The next to charts break out the median earnings for major job categories for men and women. Figure 46 shows the median earnings of men for the job categories. Aitkin County depicts it has the hightest median earnings of $86,875 for the earnings-healthcare practitioners and tech occupations grouping. Similarly, Figure 47 shows the median earnings of women for the job categories and Aitkin County shows it has the hightest median earnings of $63,125 for the earnings-healthcare practitioners and tech occupations group. The table in Figure 48, shows Aitkin County employment data in terms of job categories and salary data.

Aitkin County Self Employment Charts

Figure 49 shows economic activity in terms of the number of people who are self employed in incorporated local business by industry. Aitkin County depicts it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 47% for the self employed management, business, science, and arts businesses classification.

Similar to the last chart is Figure 50 which shows the number of people who are self employed but in more detailed industry categories such as manufacturing, retail sales, residential real estate, commercial real estate, health care, exports/imports, and advanced industries, etc. Aitkin County depicts it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 24% for the self employed in construction group.

In Figure 51 the average annual self employment/entrepreneur income is shown. Aitkin County depicts it has a Self Employment Income of $35,307 which is the third most average annual self employment income of all other counties in the greater Aitkin County region. The county with the highest average annual self employment income in the area is Crow Wing County which shows an average annual self employment income of $48,884 (38.5% larger). Comparing average annual self employment income to the United States average of $39,154, Aitkin County is about 10.9% smaller. Also, measured against the state of Minnesota, average annual self employment income of $36,330, Aitkin County is only about 2.9% smaller.

Figure 52 shows the difference between the number of self employed men and self employed women (i.e. entrepreneurs.) Aitkin County depicts total number of self-employed men about twice as large as the total number of self-employed women.