Workforce Trends: Comparing Regional Employment

Analyzing employment trends across Beadle, Brookings, and Davison counties from 2014 to 2024 provides valuable insights into regional economic development and workforce dynamics.

Data Source

This analysis uses industry comparison data from the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation, covering employment and wages across all major industry sectors.

Select Counties to Compare (3/3):[Beadle, Brookings, Davison]

Total Employment Trends

The following chart shows total employment across all industries for each county. Note that some industry data is confidential and not included in these totals.

Note: Employment figures exclude industries with confidential data to protect business privacy.

Employment Growth Rate

To better compare growth rates between counties of different sizes, this chart shows employment growth relative to 2014 levels (2014 = 0%). This reveals the relative pace of job creation in each county.

Note: The significant jump in Beadle County's employment growth after 2022 is due to Health Care and Social Assistance employment data transitioning from confidential to over 1,000 employees, reflecting a more complete picture of the county's workforce.

Total Wages Comparison

Total annual wages paid across all industries for each county, showing the economic impact and compensation levels in each region.

Note: Wage figures exclude industries with confidential data to protect business privacy.

Total Wages Growth Rate

This chart shows total wage growth indexed to 2014 levels, revealing how the overall economic compensation has changed in each county relative to the base year.

Note: A value of 20% indicates total wages have increased by 20% compared to 2014 levels.

Average Annual Wages

The following chart displays the employment-weighted average annual wages for each county. These figures represent the typical yearly earnings across all industries, accounting for the number of employees in each sector.

Note: Wages are employment-weighted averages calculated from total wages divided by total employment across all non-confidential industries.

Wage Growth Trends

This chart shows wage growth indexed to 2014 levels, revealing how average wages have changed relative to the base year. This helps compare wage growth rates between counties regardless of absolute wage differences.

Note: A value of 20% indicates wages have increased by 20% compared to 2014 levels.

Workforce Statistics Comparison

10-Year Comparison (2014-2024)

Industry Analysis: Davison County

This detailed analysis focuses exclusively on Davison County, showing employment, wages, and average annual wages by industry sector. Each line represents a different industry within Davison County only, allowing for comparison of trends across industries in this specific county.

Industry Employment and Wages Summary

Davison County - 2024 Data

Note: Industries with confidential data are marked to protect business privacy. Industries are sorted by total annual wages.

Total Annual Wages by Industry

Total wages paid by each industry sector, showing the economic contribution of different industries to the county's economy.

Employment by Industry

Number of employees in each industry sector, revealing which industries are the largest employers in the county.

Average Annual Wages by Industry

Average annual wages per employee in each industry, showing which sectors offer the highest compensation.

Industry Data Notes

Some industries may show gaps in the data where employment figures are confidential. Industries with very few employers or employees are often marked as confidential to protect business privacy.

Cross-County Industry Comparison

Employment numbers, total wages paid, and average annual wages per employee for selected industries across Beadle, Brookings, and Davison counties.

Select IndustryChoose an industry to compare across counties

Industry Comparison Notes

When comparing industries across counties, consider factors such as:

Population differences between counties
Local economic specializations and major employers
Cost of living variations across regions
Availability of skilled workforce in each area
Mitchell K-12 public schools and Mitchell Technical College (MTC) are classified under Government, not Education & Health Services

Understanding the Data

Data Quality and Limitations

This analysis is based on data from the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation. Several important considerations affect the interpretation of these statistics:

Confidential Data

Many industries have employment data marked as "Confidential" to protect individual business information. This is particularly common in:

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction
Small specialized industries with few employers

As a result, total employment figures may underrepresent actual employment levels.