Population, Labor Force and Skills



The population of Barron County is over 48,000 with more than 75,000 people within a 30 mile radius. At 5.3% percent, Barron County has a significantly higher reate if in-migration than the statewide average.The total labor force is over 25,000 with an unemployment rate average of 3.9%, prior to the global economic decline of 2009-2010. Total employment growth in Barron County from 1994 to 1999 has increased almost 14% or 3000 jobs.

Manufacturing employment increased over 9%. Manufacturing accounts for 28% of total employment. Barron County is in the top third of all Wisconsin Counties for manufacturing employment. Manufacturing industries in Barron County had a total of 5,604 employees with a total payroll of $189,524, 357. Total payroll for all industries was $580,384,530. 

The manufacturing skills present in Barron County include, but are not limited to, tool and die, welding (steel and aluminum), metal fabrication (sheet and structural), precision machining, injection molding of engineering plastics, aluminum die casting, electronic assembly, design and manufacture of ATVs and production equipment.