May 27, 2025 1:15p
(WGTD)--Economically, Wisconsin had a great year last year, with records set in the right direction for unemployment, non-farm employment and the state's gross domestic product.
But there are some red flags ahead. They were spelled out in recently-released economic snapshots for each of the state’s 72 counties, and they revolve around projected population declines, particularly in rural areas and far southeast Wisconsin.
Because of anticipated low birth and in-migration rates, the populations of Kenosha, Racine and Walworth counties are expected to fall faster than the state as a whole. Unless things change, Kenosha County’s population by the year 2050 is expected to be 17% less than what it was in 2020. The experts are predicting 14% declines in both Racine and Walworth counties.
To reduce the harmful impact on the labor market, the report advocates for the development of a workable federal immigration policy, reducing employment barriers and embracing technology.
Short-term pressures can be reduced by changing housing codes to allow for higher-density developments, increasing the number of family-supporting jobs and focusing on quality of life issues.
One other note...Kenosha County has been successful in stemming the tide of workers that leave the county each day for jobs elsewhere. The share of employed Kenosha County residents that work in the county increased from 54% in 2018 to 64% in 2023. The county remains below the statewide rate where 74% of employed residents work in the county they live in. However, the report notes that the movement is impressive and shows that there are increasing opportunities within Kenosha County.
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