Laborshed
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Data on the Quad Cities available workforce

A laborshed analysis, conducted by Iowa Workforce Development every two years, helps identify pockets of labor not easily identified elsewhere. Laborshed data is collected within the geography of the commuting pattern of our QC region and not restricted by county or state lines, providing a more accurate estimate of potential labor.

Highlights

  • Total estimated labor force ages 18-64 is 581,296
  • Average commute is 11 miles and 16 minutes

Employed  

  • 33% of those currently employed are likely to accept a new job opportunity, and 28% are actively seeking employment.
  • An estimated 278,000 individuals indicated they are very likely to change or accept employment.
  • Nearly 80% have an education beyond high school and they are willing to commute 34 minutes one-way to work. 

Top five industries for employed workers

  • Manufacturing (17% or 97,350) 
  • Wholesale and retail trade (15% or 87,042) 
  • Healthcare and social services (14% or 79,598) 
  • Education (9% or 52,684) 
  • Professional services (8% or 45,239)  

Non-employed 

  • 70% of those unemployed are likely to accept employment and 60% are actively seeking work.
  • Over 70% of the unemployed have an education beyond high school and they are willing to commute 31 minutes one-way to work.  
  • 53% of homemakers and 28% of retirees are likely to accept employment.  

Regional analysis is based on aggregated data from the laborshed studies for Clinton and Muscatine Counties in Iowa, and the Iowa/Illinois Quad Cities. 

Read more about the QC laborshed area, the available workforce and workforce characteristics in the executive summary of the QC Laborshed Workforce Report pdf below.

Chris Caves
Contact
Chris Caves
Vice President, Business & Economic Growth
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