Laborshed Analysis

A laborshed is defined as the area or region from which an employment center draws its commuting workers. The Iowa Lakes Corridor has a Laborshed study updated every few years. All information reported in the laborshed analysis is based on the number of respondents. In 2022, 1,120 surveys were completed. The information reported is in aggregate form. The total potential laborforce from the four-county region of Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson and Emmet is 116,046.

The laborshed analysis was conducted in the spring of 2022 following the collection of zip code information from area employers. The zip code information was entered into a geographical information system mapping program to generate the concentration levels and commuting patterns of employees in the region. Telephone surveys were then conducted on more than 1,100 residents/employees in the region between the ages of 18 and 64.

Laborshed summaries of the four nodes, Estherville, Spencer, Spirit Lake, and Storm Lake, as well as a regional analysis, are available in the resource library below. Full detailed reports are available on the Iowa Workforce Development website.

Please contact us for more information.