Business - Workforce

Employers appreciate Sherburne County’s workforce characteristics

  • Young, growing population
  • Well-educated – 93.7% of the population graduated from high school and over 63% have at least some college; over 25% have a bachelor’s or graduate degree
  • Rich educational resources including electrical and manufacturing engineering, technical college resources and accredited business and MBA programs
  • Extensive commuting out of the county for employment – many workers would prefer to work closer to home
  • Innovation index of 95 – reflects a high degree of innovation
  • Wide salary range reflects access to metro managers & rural production workforce

Located on the edge of the metro area, Sherburne County employers enjoy access to scientific, technical and professional workforce attracted to the metro area as well as the stable, productive, rural workforce.  This also results in more competitive wage rates.  The average hourly wage for manufacturing workers in Sherburne County is 23% lower than in the more urbanized 7-county metro area.

Weekly Wage Comparison

Located between Minneapolis-Saint Paul and the St. Cloud metro areas, Sherburne County and adjacent counties are expected to enjoy significant labor force growth, even as the overall workforce experiences challenges related to the aging of the baby boom generation.

Projected Labor Force Changes through 2035

Labor Force Profile
Demographic Profile
Economic Development Contact:

Sherburne County Govt Center
ATTN: Economic Development
13880 Business Center Dr NW
Elk River, MN 55330-1692

Office Location & Hours

Phone: 763-765-3001
800-433-5229
Fax: 763-765-3232

admin@co.sherburne.mn.us