Aitkin County Income Charts

This section shows the Aitkin County Minnesota economy using the most recent economic analysis from the 2019 Census Bureau. Starting with Figure 1 which shows the median earnings per worker, Aitkin County depicts it has a median earnings per worker of $40,876 which is the second smallest when sorted by median earnings per worker of all the other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest median earnings per worker in the area is Carlton County which depicts a median earnings of $46,688 (14.2% larger). Comparing median earnings per worker to the United States average of $47,712, Aitkin County is about 16.7% smaller. Also, in contrast to the state of Minnesota, median earnings per worker of $51,758, Aitkin County is approximately three-fourths the size.

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 $45,989 which is the smallest when ranked by median household income of all the other counties in the area. The county with the highest median household income in the area is Carlton County which depicts a median income of $60,390 (31.3% larger). Comparing median household income to the United States average of $60,293, Aitkin County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, measured against the state of Minnesota, median household income of $68,411, Aitkin County is approximately three-fourths the size.

The next section examines a variety of different income statistics for the Aitkin County metropolitan area. In Figure 3 we see that it it has one of the largest proportions of earnings less than $10,000 at 21.3% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Pine County with 22.3%.

Figure 5 has the Average number of hours worked in a typical work week during the year, it has an average hours of 38.9 which is the largest 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 an average hourly earnings of $20.21 which is the smallest when sorted by average hourly earnings of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest average hourly earnings in the area is Carlton County which depicts an average hourly earnings of $24.07 (19.1% larger). Comparing average hourly earnings to the United States average of $23.71, Aitkin County is about 17.3% smaller. Also, measured against the state of Minnesota, average hourly earnings of $25.99, 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 depicts it has a percentage of people self employed of 11.1% which is the second smallest in terms of percentage of people self employed of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest percentage of people self employed in the area is Kanabec County which depicts a percentage self employed of 14.1% (27.1% larger).

Turning our attention to Figure 8, the median household income by age group, has the percentage of median income-under 25 years the second smallest in terms of median income for those under 25 years of age of all the other counties in the greater region at $31,149 of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of median income-25 to 44 years at $53,542 of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of median income-45 to 64 years at $54,098 of the total. Also, it has in the mid point range of other counties in the greater region in order of median income-65 years and over at $38,404 of the total.

Figure 9 breaks down the source of income and Aitkin County has the smallest proportion of income from wages at 55.3% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of social security at 17.5% 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 households with retirement income of 27.9% which is the largest 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 $56,295 of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of white family income at $57,130 of the total. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of american indian family income at $39,750 of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Carlton County ($40,294), and #1 Kanabec County ($71,250) are larger. Also, it has the largest proportion of asian family income at $95,833 of the total and is ranked #1. In addition, it has one of the largest proportions of hispanic family income at $89,038 of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Carlton County with $91,250.

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 depicts that from January 2010 to before the Wuhan virus Pandemic the monthly unemployment rate went from 13.1% to 7.2% in March 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 45.0%. Since that time, the monthly unemployment rate has gone to 5.4% This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 25.0%. 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 indicates that from January 2010 to before the disasterous Coronavirus Pandemic the monthly labor force participation went from 7,198 to 7,189 in March 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 7,123 This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of very little.

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 shows it has an unemployment rate of 2.9% which is the third most unemployment rate of all other counties in the greater Aitkin County region. The county with the highest unemployment rate in the area is Mille Lacs County which shows a rate of 3.8% (32.2% larger). Figure 17 shows the labor force participation using the estimated percentage of people either working or actively looking for work. Aitkin County shows it has a participation rate of 48.8% which is the smallest in order of participation rate of all the other counties in the metro area.

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 smallest proportion of employed at 45.9% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of not in labor force 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 shows full time employees approximately 2.7 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 depicts it has a families with a single earner of 23.6% which is less than most other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest families with a single earner in the area is Mille Lacs County which depicts a single earners rate of 26.7% (12.8% 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 35.1% which is is the uppermost of the 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 people earning less than the poverty level of 2,021 which is the second smallest in order of total people earning less than the poverty level of all the other counties in the area. The county with the highest total people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Crow Wing County which shows a total people earning less than the poverty level of 6,622 (approximately 3.3 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 people earning less than the poverty level of 13.0% which is the second most percent of people earning less than the poverty level of all the counties in the greater Aitkin County region. The county with the highest percent of people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Cass County which indicates a percent of people in poverty of 14.6% (12.3% 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 6% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of person in poverty 18 to 34 years at 18% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of person in poverty 55 to 64 years at 19% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of person in poverty 65+ years at 23% 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 largest proportion of white poverty rate at 13% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has less than most other counties in the metropolitan area in order of asian poverty rate at 5% of the total. Third, it has the second smallest when ranked by white poverty rate of all the other counties in the local area in order of hispanicp poverty rate at 14% of the total.

Figure 27 shows key poverty statistics for groups based on marriage status. Aitkin County has the percentage of unmarried female with children and in poverty the second smallest as measured by married with children and in poverty of all the other counties in the metro area at 31% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of unmarried male with children and in poverty at 38% of the total and is ranked #1.

The next chart looks at the percentage of people in poverty based on their education level in Figure 28 marriage status. Aitkin County has the largest proportion of less than highschool in poverty at 29% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of has some college and in poverty at 7% of the total. Figure 29 looks at only those people who make less than the poverty level of income and breaks down there employment status. Aitkin County has the smallest proportion of people who are in poverty and employed at 14.6% 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 depicts it has a households with public assistance of 11.9% which is the third most households with public assistance of all other counties in the greater Aitkin County region. The county with the highest households with public assistance in the area is Cass County which depicts a households with public assistance of 12.6% (6.1% larger).

Figure 31 shows the "Gini Index of Income Inequality" with a range from zero (perfect equality) to one (perfect inequality). Aitkin County depicts it has a the gini index of 42.8% which is in the mid range of other counties in the metro area.

Aitkin County Work Commute Charts

The following set of charts detail a variety of metrics that have economic impact, economic grow factors and economic development metrics in the Aitkin County community and has an impact on other factors such as economic growth, population growth, economic recovery, job growth, etc.. Figure 32 shows a high level view of how the population commutes to work (including the percent of people who work from home.) Aitkin County has the largest proportion of people who bicycle or walk to work at 3% of the total and is ranked #1. 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 subway or elevated rail at 0% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of people who walked at 3% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, 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 in the mid range of other counties in the local area at 6% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 7am to 730am at 20% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 10am to 11am at 1% of the total. Also, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 11am to 12noon at 1% of the total. In addition, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 4pm to midnight at 3% 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 one of the largest proportions of people with commute time of less than 5 minutesutes at 7% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Cass County with 7%.

The average commute time is shown in Figure 37. Aitkin County depicts it has an average commute time of 26 which is in the middle range of other counties in the metro area. Figure 38 shows the difference between male versus female commuting time. Aitkin County shows average commute time in minutes for men 47.8% 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 1 vehicle available at 19% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of 4 vehicles available at 9% of the total. Third, it has less than most other counties in the greater region in order of 5 or more vehicles available at 6% of the total. Figure 41 shows the percentage of people who both work and live in the same city (town or place.) Aitkin County shows it has a people who both work and live in the same city of 54% which is more than all other counties in the greater region. Comparing people who both work and live in the same city to the United States average of 42%, Aitkin County is 28.2% larger. Also, in comparison with the state of Minnesota, people who both work and live in the same city of 34%, Aitkin County is 58.1% 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 $111,250 for the earnings-healthcare practitioners and tech occupations aggregate. Similarly, Figure 47 shows the median earnings of women for the job categories and Aitkin County shows it has the hightest median earnings of $63,542 for the earnings-protective service occupations aggregate. 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 shows it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 43% for the self employed management, business, science, and arts businesses aggregate.

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 shows it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 23% for the self employed in construction aggregate.

In Figure 51 the average annual self employment/entrepreneur income is shown. Aitkin County shows it has an average annual self employment income of $29,807 which is in the intermediate range of other counties in the area. The county with the highest average annual self employment income in the area is Crow Wing County which depicts an average annual self employment income of $43,120 (44.7% larger). Comparing average annual self employment income to the United States average of $37,819, Aitkin County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, compared with the state of Minnesota, average annual self employment income of $35,396, Aitkin County is about 18.8% smaller.

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