News from Amy Clickner and Lake Superior Community Partnership, sharing the U.P. Perspective:

Each year the LSCP researches and compiles economic data important to our community. The data booklet is created with the help of Economic Modeling Specialists Incorporated (EMSI) software.

EMSI compiles data from over 90 different federal, state and private data sources to create a clear vision of the economic landscape within Marquette County. This report uses historical trends to look into past economic activity and then uses those trends and published formulas to make predictions about the future.

The LSCP develops this report as new data is released from EMSI. By using this report, businesses and community members in Marquette County can track the county’s economic path to prosperity and better position themselves for economic success in the future. Many businesses and governmental decisions made today are data driven creating the need for factual, timely data that can be used consistently in the community. The sections regarding job forecasts and population are extremely helpful in economic development strategic planning.

What did we find this year? Well, here are a few highlights. The unemployment rate has been a statistic we’ve always followed very closely. For Marquette County, we hit a high of 10.4% in 2009 which was still three points lower than the State of Michigan at 13.7%. We have seen a steady decline since then landing at 4.8% in 2019, which mirrored the decrease at the state level as well (4.1% for the State of Michigan). However, unemployment numbers in 2020 will look much different due to the economic devastation caused by COVID-19. In Marquette County we hit a high of 20.8% unemployment in April, which was again, 3 points lower than the State of Michigan at 23.6%. Unemployment rates have since decreased to 8.1% in Marquette and 9.5% for the State in July.

Over the next ten years we are expected to see manufacturing add 189 jobs, construction add 67 jobs, and wholesale trade add 413 jobs. Wholesale trade seeing the largest increase of 71%. Recreation and management employment sectors continue to grow as demand for these services are increasing due to additional dollars being injected into the local economy. In addition, the overall growth of employment requires additional supervisory expertise. Government and health care are the two leading industries holding the most jobs for 2019.

The data booklet also includes a ten year population forecast. For 2019, data shows our population is 66,322 in Marquette County. Trending with the Upper Peninsula as a whole, Marquette County’s population has been at a slight decline in the last two years and is projected to continue this trend through 2029.

Over the next ten-year span of 2019-2029, Marquette County’s population is expected to decline slightly, by just over 0.9%. Over that same period of time, the population of the U.P. is projected to drop by 6,444 people or 2.2%. As the population of the 50 to 70 years-of-age demographic is expected to increase over this same period of time, the overall decrease in population in the Upper Peninsula and Marquette County could be attributed to a rise in retirement and relocation of this demographic.

Despite a period of rapid growth in the early 2000s, Michigan’s population declined sharply as a result of the recession starting in 2008. However, Michigan’s population is projected to steadily grow throughout the next 10 years. The results from the 2020 census will be very important to have population data rather than just estimates.

The recently released Marquette County data booklet reflects information from 2019 as well as future year projections. To view the booklet in its entirety, visit marquette.org/data-booklet/ . The LSCP is also able to provide data and research services specific to your business or organization for a fee. If you have any further questions, call 906.226.6591 or email mary@marquette.org.

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About Lake Superior Community Partnership
The Lake Superior Community Partnership (LSCP) is the region’s leading resource for economic development, providing a wide variety of affordable and effective development services. The LSCP helps its partners make the connections that matter – between businesses, organizations, leaders and legislators, and provides a powerful legislative voice for programs and policies that strengthen the regional economy. More information on the Lake Superior Community Partnership can be found at www.marquette.org.