Blue Earth County
Blue Earth County Income Charts
This section shows the Blue Earth 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, Blue Earth County shows it has a Median earnings of $45,483 which is the third most of all other counties in the metropolitan area. The county with the highest median earnings per worker in the area is Le Sueur County which shows a median earnings of $48,313 (6.2% larger). Comparing median earnings per worker to the United States average of $49,041, Blue Earth County is about 7.8% smaller. Also, in comparison with the state of Minnesota, median earnings per worker of $52,993, Blue Earth County is about 16.5% 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 $57,429 which is the third most median income of all other counties in the greater Blue Earth County region. The county with the highest median household income in the area is Le Sueur County which depicts a median income of $71,080 (23.8% larger). Comparing median household income to the United States average of $62,843, Blue Earth County is about 9.4% smaller. Also, benchmarked against the state of Minnesota, median household income of $71,306, Blue Earth County is about 24.2% smaller.
The next section examines a variety of different income statistics for the Blue Earth County metropolitan area. In Figure 3 we see that it it has the largest proportion of earnings less than $10,000 at 8.8% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of earnings between $20,000 and $49,999 at 19.0% of the total.
Figure 5 has the Average number of hours worked in a typical work week during the year, it has a Avg Hours Worked of 36.0 which is the second smallest in order of average hours of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest average hours in the area is Le Sueur County which depicts an average hours of 40.0 (11.1% larger). 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 $24.30 which is the second most average hourly earnings of all the counties in the greater Blue Earth County region. The county with the highest average hourly earnings in the area is Nicollet County which depicts an average hourly earnings of $25.24 (only about 3.9% larger). Comparing average hourly earnings to the United States average of $24.31, Blue Earth County is about the same size. Also, in comparison with the state of Minnesota, average hourly earnings of $26.61, Blue Earth County is about 9.5% smaller.
Figure 7 examines the number of self employed people in the Blue Earth County metro area based on the number of people who reported any self employment income. Blue Earth County shows it has a Self Employed of 11.7% which is the 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 Faribault County which depicts a percentage self employed of 18.1% (53.8% larger).
Turning our attention to Figure 8, the median household income by age group, has the percentage of median income-under 25 years in the mid point range of other counties in the greater region at $68,191 of the total. Second, it has in the center range of other counties in the local area when ranked by median income-25 to 44 years at $74,886 of the total. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of median income-45 to 64 years at $49,124 of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Le Sueur County ($51,061), and #1 Nicollet County ($52,511) are larger.
Figure 9 breaks down the source of income and Blue Earth County has the smallest proportion of income from wages at 5.2% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of investment and retirement income at 6.8% of the total.
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 14.6% which is the smallest in terms of households with retirement income of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest households with retirement income in the area is Le Sueur County which shows a households with retirement income of 19.2% (31.4% larger).
In the next chart, Figure 12, the median family income is shown for families broken down by racial group and it has one of the largest proportions of overall family income at $81,582 of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Nicollet County ($84,919), and #1 Le Sueur County ($89,061) are larger. Second, it has the largest proportion of white family income at $30,036 of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of black family income at $85,333 of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has one of the largest proportions of american indian family income at $51,969 of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Nicollet County with $103,472. In addition, it has one of the largest proportions of hawaiian family income at $45,338 of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Watonwan County with $56,094.
Figure 13 shows the cost of living and other consumer spending categories for a variety of cost components from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Blue Earth County depicts it has the hightest cost of 113.5 for the cost of utilities group.
Blue Earth 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 January 2010 to before the disasterous COVID-19 Pandemic the monthly unemployment rate went from 7.0% to 3.8% in March 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 45.7%. Since that time, the monthly unemployment rate has gone to 3.2% This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 15.8%. 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 shows that from January 2010 to before the disasterous Coronavirus Pandemic the monthly labor force participation went from 37,850 to 40,865 in March 2020. This represents an increase in the monthly labor force participation of 8.0%. Since that time, the monthly labor force participation has gone to 39,028 This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of 4.5%.
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 Blue Earth County depicts it has a Unemployment Rate of 2.8% which is the largest of all counties in the surrounding region. Figure 17 shows the labor force participation using the estimated percentage of people either working or actively looking for work. Blue Earth County depicts it has a Labor Force Participation of 72.0% which is the second most of all the 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). Blue Earth County has the largest proportion of employed at 2.8% 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. Blue Earth County depicts full time employees about twice as large 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 Blue Earth County area. Blue Earth County shows it has a Single Earner Families of 18.3% which is the smallest in terms of families with a single earner of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest families with a single earner in the area is Martin County which depicts a single earners rate of 22.5% (22.6% larger). The percentage of families with no one working is depicted in Figure 22. Blue Earth County depicts it has a Families with No One Working of 14.1% which is less than most other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest families with no one working in the area is Martin County which depicts a families with no worker of 19.7% (39.9% larger).
Blue Earth County Poverty Charts
The next section details economy analysis about poverty for residents of the Blue Earth 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. Blue Earth County depicts it has a Total In Poverty of 11,148 which is the largest of all counties in the metro area.
In Figure 24 the percentage of people earning less than the poverty level is shown and compared across the group of places. Blue Earth County shows it has a Percent of Population In Poverty of 17.6% which is at the top of all other counties in the metropolitan area.
In Figure 25 people who are in poverty are broken out by age group. Blue Earth County has the smallest proportion of person in poverty under 12 years at 5% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of person in poverty 12 to 17 years at 67% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the smallest proportion of person in poverty 18 to 34 years at 9% of the total. Also, it has the smallest proportion of person in poverty 35 to 54 years at 5% of the total. In addition, it has the smallest proportion of person in poverty 55 to 64 years at 6% of the total.
The next chart, Figure 26, shows the percentage of people in poverty by racial group. Blue Earth County has the percentage of white poverty rate the second smallest when sorted by white poverty rate of all the other counties in the greater region at 39% of the total. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of black poverty rate at 29% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Nicollet County with 46%. Third, it has the largest proportion of american indian poverty rate at 46% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the smallest proportion of hawaiian poverty rate at 20% of the total.
The next chart looks at the percentage of people in poverty based on their education level in Figure 28 marriage status. Blue Earth County has the largest proportion of has some college and in poverty at 5% of the total and is ranked #1. Figure 29 looks at only those people who make less than the poverty level of income and breaks down there employment status. Blue Earth County has the largest proportion of people who are in poverty and unemployed at 20.1% of the total and is ranked #1. 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.) Blue Earth County shows it has a Public Assistance Percent of 8.6% which is in the mid point range of other counties in the surrounding region. The county with the highest households with public assistance in the area is Martin County which depicts a households with public assistance of 9.3% (8.5% larger).
Figure 31 shows the "Gini Index of Income Inequality" with a range from zero (perfect equality) to one (perfect inequality). Blue Earth County depicts it has a Gini Index of 43.5% which is the second most the gini index of all the counties in the greater Blue Earth County region.
Blue Earth 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 Blue Earth 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.) Blue Earth County has the largest proportion of people who drive a car or motorcycle to work at 2% 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 Blue Earth County or elsewhere.) Blue Earth County has the smallest proportion of people who carpooled at 7% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of people who take the bus at 2% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of people who take a Subway or elevated rail at 0% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of people who take the Long-distance train or commuter rail at 0% of the total and is ranked #1.
In Figure 35 is shown a frequency distribution of the time that people leave for work. Blue Earth County has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 12am to 5am at 3% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 5am to 530am at 5% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 530 am to 6am at 7% of the total. Also, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 630 am to 7am at 15% of the total. In addition, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 730 am to 8am at 8% of the total and is ranked #1. Furthermore, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 9am to 10am at 2% of the total and is ranked #1. Next it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 10am to 11am at 2% of the total and is ranked #1. Additionally, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 11am to 12noon at 10% of the total and is ranked #1. And then, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 12noon to 4pm at 8% of the total and is ranked #1.
The next graph in Figure 36 shows the average number of minutes that it takes for people to commute to work. Blue Earth County has the percentage of people with commute time of less than 5 minutesutes less than most other counties in the greater region at 20% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 5 to 9 minutes at 27% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 10 to 14 minutes at 19% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 20 to 24 minutes at 4% of the total. In addition, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 45 to 59 minutes at 2% of the total. Furthermore, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 60 to 89 minutes at 2% of the total and is ranked #1.
The average commute time is shown in Figure 37. Blue Earth County shows it has a Avg Commute Time of 18 which is less than most other counties in the metropolitan area. Figure 38 shows the difference between male versus female commuting time. Blue Earth County depicts average commute time in minutes for men 26.2% larger as the average commute time in minutes for women. Figure 40 shows the total number of vehicles available for transportation and Blue Earth County has one of the largest proportions of 1 vehicle available at 42% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Nicollet County with 48%. Second, it has in the mid point range of other counties in the metro area in terms of 4 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.) Blue Earth County shows it has a Work in city or place where live of 60% which is the second most people who both work and live in the same city of all the counties in the greater Blue Earth County region. The county with the highest people who both work and live in the same city in the area is Martin County which depicts a people who both work and live in the same city of 62% (only about 3.4% larger). Comparing people who both work and live in the same city to the United States average of 42%, Blue Earth County is 42.9% larger. Also, measured against the state of Minnesota, people who both work and live in the same city of 34%, Blue Earth County is 75.8% larger.
Blue Earth 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. Blue Earth County shows it has the hightest median earnings of $112,500 for the earnings-healthcare practitioners and tech occupations classification. Similarly, Figure 47 shows the median earnings of women for the job categories and Blue Earth County depicts it has the hightest median earnings of $64,107 for the earnings-computer, engineering, and science occupations aggregate. The table in Figure 48, shows Blue Earth County employment data in terms of job categories and salary data.
Blue Earth 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. Blue Earth County depicts it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 45% for the self employed management, business, science, and arts businesses grouping.
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. Blue Earth County depicts it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 17% for the self employed in construction classification.
In Figure 51 the average annual self employment/entrepreneur income is shown. Blue Earth County shows it has a Self Employment Income of $32,983 which is the smallest as measured by average annual self employment income of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest average annual self employment income in the area is Watonwan County which depicts an average annual self employment income of $47,029 (42.6% larger). Comparing average annual self employment income to the United States average of $39,154, Blue Earth County is about 18.7% smaller. Also, benchmarked against the state of Minnesota, average annual self employment income of $36,330, Blue Earth County is about 10.1% smaller.
Figure 52 shows the difference between the number of self employed men and self employed women (i.e. entrepreneurs.) Blue Earth County shows total number of self-employed men about twice as large as the total number of self-employed women.
Blue Earth County, Minnesota Economy Data
Figure 1: Blue Earth County, MN Median Earnings per Worker
Figure 2: Blue Earth County, MN Median Household Income
Figure 3: Blue Earth County, MN Earnings Distribution
Figure 5: Blue Earth County, MN Avg Hrs Worked in Week
Figure 6: Blue Earth County, MN Avg Hourly Earnings
Figure 7: People Self Employed in Blue Earth County, MN
Figure 8: Blue Earth County, MN Median Household Income By Age Group
Figure 9: Blue Earth County, MN Source of Income
Figure 12: Median Family Income By Race in Blue Earth County, MN
Figure 13: Blue Earth County, MN Cost of Living (100 = U.S. Average)
Figure 14: Monthly Unemployment Rate for Area Closest to Blue Earth County, MN Tracked by BLS
Figure 15: Quarterly Labor Force Participation for the Area Closest to Blue Earth County, MN Tracked by BLS
Figure 16: Blue Earth County, MN Annual Unemployment Rate
Figure 18: Blue Earth County, MN Components of Employment Status
Figure 21: Blue Earth County, MN Families with a Single Earner
Figure 22: Blue Earth County, MN Families with No One Working
Figure 23: Blue Earth County, MN In Poverty
Figure 25: Blue Earth County, MN Poverty Break Out by Age Group
Figure 26: Blue Earth County, MN Poverty Break Out by Race
Figure 27: Blue Earth County, MN Poverty and Marriage Status
Figure 28: Blue Earth County, MN Poverty and Education Attainment Level
Figure 29: Blue Earth County, MN In Poverty and Working Status
Figure 30: Blue Earth County, MN Households with Public Assistance
Figure 31: Blue Earth County, MN Gini Index of Income Inequality
Figure 32: Blue Earth County, MN Mode of Transportation to Work
Figure 35: Blue Earth County, MN Time Leaving For Work
Figure 37: Blue Earth County, MN Average Commute Time in Minutes
Figure 38: Blue Earth County, MN Average Commute Time for Male vs. Female
Figure 39: Blue Earth County, MN Detailed breakout of age groups by means of transportation to work
Figure 40: Blue Earth County, MN Vehicles available
Figure 41: Blue Earth County, MN People who both Work and Live in the Same City
Figure 42: Blue Earth County, MN Median Annual Earngins by High Level Industry Groups
Figure 45: Blue Earth County, MN Median Annual Earnings by Job Category
Figure 48: Detailed Job Categories with Annual Earnings for Blue Earth County, MN
Figure 49: Number of Self Employed People by Industry in Blue Earth County, MN
Figure 50: Blue Earth County, MN Number of Self Employed People by Detailed Industry Grouping
Figure 51: Blue Earth County, MN Average Annual Self Employment Income
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