1. State of RuralMinnesotaReport2013

2. Who we areIn 1997, a group of rural Minnesota advocatescame together to create a rural policy think tankthat would provide policy makers, rural advocatesand concerned citizens with an objective, unbiasedand politically unspun examination ofcontemporary rural issues.Based in St. Peter, Minn.Non-partisan, non-profit policy researchorganizationDedicated to providing Minnesotas policy makerswith an unbiased evaluation of issues from a ruralperspective.The Center is recognized as a leading resource forrural policy research and development.Center for Rural Policy & Development, 2013 3. A State of Diverse Regions Ruralplexes:Regions based on commoncharacteristics. Developedfor the Center by formerState Demographer TomGillaspy and StateEconomist Tom Stinson. The State of Rural Minnesotauses these regions to showmajor characteristics andtrends of Minnesotaspeople and economy.Center for Rural Policy & Development, 2013 4. Growth of Minnesotas regions, 1900 to 2010450.0%400.0%350.0%300.0% Metroplex250.0% Southeast River Valley Southwestern Cornbelt200.0% Northwest Valley150.0% Up North Central Lakes100.0% 50.0%0.0% 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010-50.0%Center for Rural Policy & Development, 2013 5. Demographics Population change, 1960-2010 (U.S. Census)Population, Population,Region Percent change19602010Metroplex 1,854,6303,634,786 96.0%Southeast River 507,663 552,682 8.9%ValleySouthwestern 218,331 164,341 -24.7%CornbeltNorthwest Valley 271,849 292,150 7.5%Up North 359,839 363,617 1.0%Central Lakes201,552 296,349 47.0%Minnesota 3,413,8645,303,925 55.4%Center for Rural Policy & Development, 2013 6. Population change, 1990-2010!"#$%&%(% -/((,&0 E&,$"A!"#$%&%()$%*&&+,6"4,)"33 ?(M%!&A/,H$3(4"7/8&3#8$00/01(&0 2&!"#$-&&.)/.)/01E$+%!"#$ ;(",."23$"45"($4 From 1990 to 2010, the states F&47"0 6")0&7$0 JA99"4+2",, 23"BH$.#$4population grew by nearly 1 :/(#/0 million, to 5.3 million. The most 24&5%*/012"43(&0dramatic growth was seen in the *"+$0" 4"0(6&44/,&0 !".,-"0"9$.G&A13", ?($@$0,8&C$H$0(&0!"#$"%&$()%*"most growth, increasing by 588%. ;,"0(/=4"@$4,$ ?($"40, !"#$%&()*)+*",)/01(&0 2)/,"1& H/1%?)$49A40$ ?(&0$?5/(:0" ,-*-+&.$&)*/+-"0+/B&)/6$$#$4 )*)+&.$&,-*-+2)/CC$5" ,M *4/1)(E"7!".%NA/%8"43$ J$00$C/0 ()*)+&.$&01*-+ 6.!$&+ E$0@/33$2"4@$4D$33&5%6$+/./0$02*)+&345&36$7"?/93$B !/0.&30 !B&0 ?.&(( G"#&(" E$+5&&+ F/.&33$(E/.$ !$%?A$A4 >&&+)A$ *"9",)" H4&50 8/C$,(&0$ ?($$3$ G&+1$*",$."6A44"B*"(&05"04"0(6&44/,&0 6/33$% !"., to have higher rates of young-"0"9$.G&A13",!"#$"%&()people as well, most likely due to&(&*+,(,-+*&.(%=4"@$4,$ ?($@$0,8&C$ ?($"40,H$0(&0 ;,"0(/ !"##$%&($)*+,- the presence of a college or a large minority population.*",)/01(&0 2)/,"1& H/1%?)$49A40$ ?(&0$?5/(:0" )*+,-$%.$)/+0--"0+/B&)/6$$#$4 )1+,-$%.$)1+0-2)/CC$5" ,M *4/1)(E"7!".%NA/%8"43$ J$00$C/0 )2+,-$%.$)2+0- 6.!$&+ E$0@/33$2"4@$4D$33&5%6$+/./0$)3+,-$(4$5.6"?/93$B !/0.&30 !B&0 ?.&(( G"#&(" E$+5&&+ F/.&33$(E/.$ !$%?A$A4 >&&+)A$ *"9",)" H4&50 8/C$,(&0$ ?($$3$ G&+1$*",$."6A44"B*"(&05"0%%"$7"?.@9A&=:$B"(%"9C$B"(%"9$D.9$E89F$G.F=:H$(4$7"6"F.A?"(%Center for Rural Policy & Development, 2013 14. Population 65+, 2010!"#$%&%(% -/((,&0 E&,$"A!"#$%&%()$%*&&+,6"4,)"33 ?(M%!&A/,H$3(4"7/8&3# 8$00/01(&0 2&!"#$-&&.)/.)/01E$+%!"#$ ;(",."23$"45"($4The higher percentage of seniors F&47"0 6")0&7$0 JA99"4+2",, 23"BH$.#$4 remaining in rural counties has :/(#/0many implications for state and 24&5%*/012"43(&0 local government, such as a *"+$0" &&+)A$ *"9",)" H4&50 8/C$,(&0$ ?($$3$ G&+1$*",$."6A44"B*"(&05"0"(%"9$H.9$I89B$@.BC:J$(4$7"6"B.AE"(%Center for Rural Policy & Development, 2013 15. Projected population age 65+,2035 -/((,&0 E&,$"A!"#$%&%()$%*&&+,6"4,)"33 ?(M%!&A/,H$3(4"7/8&3# 8$00/01(&0 2&!"#$-&&.)/.)/01E$+%!"#$ ;(",."23$"45"($4 While the trend in aging is F&47"0 6")0&7$0 JA99"4+2",, 23"BH$.#$4projected to continue through :/(#/0 2035 much as it has, the growth in 24&5%*/012"43(&0the aging population may be offset *"+$0" &&+)A$ *"9",)" H4&50 8/C$,(&0$ ?($$3$ G&+1$*",$."6A44"B*"(&05"0;$C"(%":D$C"(%":$E.:$F9:G$H.G>;I$(5$8"7"G.B@"(%Center for Rural Policy & Development, 2013 16. Natural rate of increase,2010 -/((,&0 E&,$"A!"#$%&%()$%*&&+,6"4,)"33 ?(M%!&A/,H$3(4"7/8&3# 8$00/01(&0 2&!"#$-&&.)/.)/01E$+%!"#$ ;(",."23$"45"($4 Natural increase is simply the F&47"0 6")0&7$0 JA99"4+2",, 23"BH$.#$4 number of births minus the :/(#/0number of deaths. The highest 24&5%*/012"43(&0 increases have been in the western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half have a lower income. Carver -"0"9$.G&A13",!"#$%&()*+"(),#$&-)."/012"%3"+4$.%4"5County had the highest estimatedmedian household income, atH$0(&0 ?($@$0,8&C$ ?($"40,;,"0(/=4"@$4,$ !"#$%&(()***$83,415, while Wadena County*",)/01(&0 2)/,"1& H/1 ?(&0$?)$49A40$ (()***&+$&(,)---recorded the lowest, at $35,307.?5/( -"0+/B&)/ :0"6$$#$4 (.)***&+$&(-)---2)/CC$5",M *4/1)( E"7!".%NA/%8"43$ J$00$C/0 /*)***&+$&/,)--- 6.!$&+ E$0@/33$ 2"4@$4D$33&5%6$+/./0$/.)***&012&03$4"?/93$B !/0.&30 !B&0 ?.&((G"#&(" E$+5&&+ F/.&33$( E/.$ !$%?A$A4>&&+)A$ *"9",)" H4&50 8/C$,(&0$?($$3$ G&+1$ *",$."6A44"B*"(&05"0 $@@71A+B&=784"B C&>"1+"8&D$8&E780#&F$#A9B&012&5"4"#$G@"1+Center for Rural Policy & Development, 2013 25. Average earnings, 2011 -/((,&0 E&,$"A!"#$%&%()$%*&&+,6"4,)"33 ?(M%!&A/,H$3(4"7/8&3# 8$00/01(&0 2&!"#$-&&.)/.)/01E$+%!"#$ ;(",."23$"45"($4 Average earnings per member of F&47"0 6")0&7$0 JA99"4+2",, 23"BH$.#$4the workforce. :/(#/0 24&5%*/012"43(&0 The highest per-worker earnings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enter for Rural Policy & Development, 2013 27. Workforce in themanufacturing sector, 2011!"#$%&%(% -/((,&0 E&,$"A!"#$%&%()$%*&&+,6"4,)"33 ?(M%!&A/,H$3(4"7/8&3# 8$00/01(&0 2&!"#$-&&.)/.)/01E$+%!"#$ ;(",."23$"45"($4 F&47"0 6")0&7$0 JA99"4+2",, Despite losing nearly 50,000 23"BH$.#$4manufacturing jobs between 2005 and 2009, Minnesota still has a :/(#/0 24&5%*/012"43(&0number of countiesmostly rural *"+$0" &&+)A$ *"9",)" H4&50 8/C$,(&0$ ?($$3$ G&+1$*",$."6A44"B*"(&05"0"(%$-?$@->>"89" A78"7$-?$B9-(->C9$D(EF#C#G$@"(%"8$?-8$H78E$I-EC9F$(3$6"5"E-=>"(%Center for Rural Policy & Development, 2013 28. Average earnings in farming,2011 -/((,&0 E&,$"A!"#$%&%()$%*&&+,6"4,)"33 ?(M%!&A/,H$3(4"7/8&3# 8$00/01(&0 2&!"#$-&&.)/.)/01E$+%!"#$ ;(",."23$"45"($4 F&47"0 6")0&7$0 JA99"4+2",, Farming has had a strong 23"BH$.#$4 presence in Minnesota historically :/(#/0 and continues to do so today. The 24&5%*/012"43(&0distribution of wealth from *"+$0" 4"0(6&44/,&0 6/33$% !"., +#$,%$-./$0#$-"0"9$.G&A13", !"#$%#!&&&&H$0(&0=4"@$4,$ ?($@$0,8&C$ ?($"40, ;,"0(/!(""""#$%#!(&&&&*",)/01(&0 2)/,"1& H/1%?)$49A40$ ?(&0$ !)""""#$%#!*+&&&?5/( -"0+/B&)/:0"6$$#$4 !*,"""#$%#!,&&&&2)/CC$5" ,M *4/1)( !-""""#./0#.1%23E"7!".%NA/%8"43$ J$00$C/0 6.!$&+D$33&5%6$+/./0$ E$0@/33$2"4@$44%#5.$.?/93$B !/0.&30 !B&0 ?.&(( G"#&(" E$+5&&+ F/.&33$(E/.$ !$%?A$A4 >&&+)A$ *"9",)" H4&50 8/C$,(&0$ ?($$3$ G&+1$*",$."6A44"B*"(&05"04"0(6&44/,&0 6/33$% !"., in farming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enter for Rural Policy & Development, 2013 30. Average earnings in the retailsector, 2011!"#$%&%(% -/((,&0 E&,$"A!"#$%&%()$%*&&+,6"4,)"33 ?(M%!&A/,H$3(4"7/8&3# 8$00/01(&0 2&!"#$-&&.)/.)/01E$+%!"#$ ;(",."23$"45"($4 F&47"0 6")0&7$0 Earnings from retail tend to be some of the lowest of any JA99"4+2",, industry. The highest retail 23"BH$.#$4 :/(#/0 24&5%*/01 earnings cluster around the Twin2"43(&0 Cities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enter for Rural Policy & Development, 2013 33. Workforce in the governmentsector, 2011 !"#$%&%(% -/((,&0 E&,$"A!"#$%&%()$%*&&+,6"4,)"33 ?(M%!&A/,H$3(4"7/8&3# 8$00/01(&0 2&!"#$-&&.)/.)/01E$+%!"#$ ;(",."23$"45"($4 Government is a major employer in F&47"0 6")0&7$0 JA99"4+2",, 23"BH$.#$4 many rural counties, where the :/(#/0need for services is 24&5%*/012"43(&0 disproportionate to the population. *"+$0" 4"0(-"0"9$.G&A13","./0*1"2)3%)(*4"#%."%&) ?($@$0,8&C$ ?($"40,H$0(&0 ;,"0(/County had the highest percentage, !"##$%&($)*+,-at 46.5%.=4"@$4,$*",)/01(&0 2)/,"1& H/1 ?)$49A40$ ?(&0$?5/(:0" )*+,-$%.$)/+0--"0+/B&)/6$$#$4 )/+,-$%.$)1+2-2)/CC$5" ,M *4/1)(E"7!".%NA/%8"43$ J$00$C/0 )0+*-$%.$)3+2- 6.!$&+ E$0@/33$2"4@$4D$33&5%6$+/./0$)4+*-$(5$6.7"?/93$B !/0.&30 !B&0 ?.&(( G"#&(" E$+5&&+ F/.&33$(E/.$ !$%?A$A4 >&&+)A$ *"9",)" H4&50 8/C$,(&0$ ?($$3$ G&+1$*",$."6A44"B*"(&05"0&&+)A$ *"9",)" H4&50 8/C$,(&0$ ?($$3$ G&+1$*",$."6A44"B*"(&05"04"0(6&44/,&0 !".,!"#$%%(()%*-"0"9$.G&A13",)(#+,*-.+#(/$%/# ?($@$0,8&C$H$0(&0 ;,"0(/ rates vary greatly from county to ?($"40, !"##$%&($)*+, county.=4"@$4,$*",)/01(&0 2)/,"1& H/1%?)$49A40$ ?(&0$?5/(:0" )*+,$%-$+*.,-"0+/B&)/6$$#$4 +*/,$%-$+*0,2)/CC$5" ,M *4/1)(E"7!".%NA/%8"43$ J$00$C/0 1*.,$%-$2*), 6.!$&+ E$0@/33$2"4@$4D$33&5%6$+/./0$2*+,$(3$4-5"?/93$B !/0.&30 !B&0 ?.&(( G"#&(" E$+5&&+ F/.&33$(E/.$ !$%?A$A4 >&&+)A$ *"9",)" H4&50 8/C$,(&0$ ?($$3$ G&+1$*",$."6A44"B*"(&05"0"(%$-?$!4-8 @78"7$-?$!4-8$"(%Center for Rural Policy & Development, 2013 40. Median Home Value, 2010 -/((,&0 E&,$"A!"#$%&%()$%*&&+,6"4,)"33 ?(M%!&A/,H$3(4"7/8&3# 8$00/01(&0 2&!"#$-&&.)/.)/01E$+%!"#$ ;(",."23$"45"($4 Median home value is based on F&47"0 6")0&7$0 JA99"4+2",, 23"BH$.#$4 the median sales price of existing :/(#/0homes. 24&5%*/012"43(&0 *"+$0" 4"0(6&44/,&0 !".,-"0"9$.G&A13",!"#$%&()%*(+")," ?($@$0,8&C$H$0(&0 ;,"0(/ Minnesota in 2011 was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