Minnesota Employment and Education

During the years 2003 and 2004, over 44 thousand jobs were created statewide. Earnings also went up 2.7%. Minnesota had an unemployment rate of 4% for 2005. It has since dropped and in July of 2006 stood at 3.8%.

Minnesota has 2,646 schools statewide. They spend $8,364 per student annually on education. The NAEP test results show that 84% of 4th graders and 82% of 8th graders passed the basic requirements for math in 2003. In 2005, the same grades passed by 88% and 79%. The graduation rate is up to 87.9%.