Poverty, Income and Work
Minnesotans Face Barriers in the Labor Market, Despite Top Line Unemployment Numbers, January 2019
Knowing which Minnesotans struggle most to gain traction in the workforce means Minnesota policymakers can make smart policy choices. Our issue brief on employment looks at which Minnesotans continue to face barriers in the workforce, including those with less formal education, communities of color, people living in certain parts of the state, and the young. Policy solutions to support these workers could include expanded earned sick leave and affordable child care.
State of Working Minnesota: Many Minnesotans Working Hard but Barriers Keep Them from Making Ends Meet, December 2018
Ten years into the recovery from the Great Recession, high-income earners are doing well. Unfortunately, other workers have seen only moderate growth in wages recently, consistent with a 40-year trend. Fortunately, one group that has seen higher wage growth recently, are workers earning the lowest wages, likely demonstrating how minimum wage increases are boosting these workers’ incomes. This issue brief breaks down the wages and incomes of different groups of workers in Minnesota. We also offer insights into how policymakers can continue to support workers and their drive to thrive in today’s economy.
Some Minnesotans Struggling Despite Top Line Figures Showing Economic Prosperity, November 2017
Minnesotans with less formal education, people living in parts of Greater Minnesota, and Minnesotans of color are among those who are still struggling to reach greater employment levels since the Great Recession. People of color have consistently faced barriers to employment, and while these Minnesotans have seen some improvement, it is still the case that communities of color have higher rates of unemployment than their white counterparts. This issue brief takes a closer look at the groups of people who are still struggling to find and keep jobs despite an overall economic recovery.
More Poverty, Income and Economic Opportunity Analysis
- Minnesota Economy Improving But Harsh Disparities Leave Too Many Workers Behind: The State of Working Minnesota 2016, October 2016
- State of Working Minnesota slide deck, October 2016
- Key Groups of Minnesotans Still Struggling to Find Work in Economic Recovery, April 2016
- Federal Poverty Thresholds and Guidelines, Updated March 2016
- About the Minimum Wage, Updated September 2016
- Minnesota’s Workers Need Earned Sick and Safe Time, August 2015
- Too Many Minnesota Workers Face Low Pay and Few Benefits: The State of Working Minnesota 2014, February 2015
- Mapping Minnesota's Future to Shared Opportunities, October 2014
- Many Minnesotans Still Struggling to Find Jobs Despite Stronger Economy, September 2014
- Minimum Wage Increase Will Boost Economy and Incomes of Many Minnesotans, April 2014
- Unemployment Picture Remains Grim for Many Minnesotans, February 2014
- Minnesota: The Land of Unequal Opportunity, October 2013
- In the Shadow of the Great Recession: The State of Working Minnesota 2013, August 2013
- Many Minnesotans Still Without Jobs in Economic Recovery, August 2013
- Income Inequality Grows in Minnesota, November 2012
- Poverty Rises, Median Income Falls and More Minnesotans Go Without Health Insurance in 2010, April 2012
- Reducing Poverty in Minnesota, September 2008
- Economic Recovery was a Bust for Minnesota, December 2007
- Income Inequality in Minnesota: 2006, January 2006
- Wage Outlook in Minnesota: Labor Day 2004, September 2004
- Families Lose Ground in "Jobless" Economic Recovery, October 2003
- Poverty Rates Increase, Incomes and Health Coverage Fall in 2001, Updated November 2002
- Poverty Rates Reach Record Lows in 2000, November 2001
- The State of Working Minnesota: 2001, August 2001
- Poverty Despite Work in Minnesota, June 2000
- Census Reports Record Low Poverty Rate: Minnesota Still "Above Average," October 2000
- Evaluation of the Minnesota Family Investment Program, September 2000
- Making a Living? The State of Working Minnesota, September 2000
- Income Inequality in Minnesota, 1970s to 1990s, January 2000
