Forecasts, data show ongoing shifts in Ramsey construction industry

A recent Expand the Toolbox event and panel hosted at Ramsey County’s Plato building zeroed in on construction industry demographics, focusing on generational differences in the workplace. Data shared at the event revealed that employment in the construction industry in Ramsey County is forecast to decline by approximately 0.5% annually through 2029 after experiencing annual growth of 1.2% for the past five years. This is in alignment with overall employment forecasts for the region, partially attributed to local declining population trends and an increase in net-migration to suburban and semi-rural neighboring counties.

Throughout 2025, Ramsey County Workforce Solutions is highlighting different workplace trends and showcasing how communities and organizations across Ramsey County are changing and adapting. Assessing changes in demographics and migration is key for personalizing workforce development and achieving the best results for employers and workers.

Generational shifts in construction

The construction industry in Ramsey County has a larger share of older workers and a smaller share of younger workers than the construction workforce statewide. Erin Olson, Senior Director of Strategic Research at RealTime Talent, shared that specifically, the county’s construction industry features a slightly higher share of Gen X-ers than Minnesota overall with 39.2% to 34.9%, and a smaller share of Gen Z-ers. Within Ramsey County, only 4.4% of Gen Z is currently in construction compared to 11.4% statewide. A full generational breakdown is seen here:

As multiple generations coalesce in the workplace, opportunities exist for enhanced problem-solving due to a unique combination of the project knowledge and experience established workers bring to the table alongside the fresh perspectives and tech skills younger generations offer. However, differences in characteristics, workplace preferences, influences, and communication styles – ranging from a preference for phone calls to quick conversations in messaging apps – can present challenges when not addressed thoughtfully. A panel at the event tackled these subjects and featured one construction professional representing each generation. 

Construction employment in Ramsey County by the numbers

Approximately 14,253 people are employed in the construction industry in Ramsey County, a concentration approximately 30% less than observed nationally. An increase in net-out migration fuels a forecasted decline, but John O’Phelan of Ramsey County Workforce Solutions cautions demographics cannot predict unforeseen circumstances, such as natural disasters, legal issues, and economic trends, and how they will impact industries.

When compared with the state of Minnesota, Ramsey County sees fewer job postings from in-county construction companies due to having fewer companies headquartered in the county. Conversely, Anoka County has the most construction headquarters. Many companies choose larger sites to have their headquarters, and Ramsey is already mostly developed. New job postings in construction are also frequently tied to a company headquarters location versus where workers complete their work or are based. For example, a headquarters in Saint Paul may post 25 jobs, but after onboarding, an employee spends all their time at sites in different counties or vice versa.

The future of construction

O’Phelan points out the number of construction companies in the state regularly fluctuates between approximately 17,000 to 18,000, but it consistently stays an industry of small businesses with 86% of companies having less than 10 employees and 93% having less than 20. Networking and word-of-mouth referrals can be crucial to employment, and word-of-mouth climbed annually between 2021 and 2023 as a means of securing employment.

Like many industries, construction also has a higher concentration of older workers than younger ones, leaving the possibility for a gap in replacement needs. According to RealTime Talent analysis shared at Expand the Toolbox, top careers with a current talent shortage in Minnesota include: carpenters, construction supervisors, electricians, construction managers, plumbers and pipefitters, HVAC mechanics and installers, construction and maintenance painters, operating engineers, electrical power-line installers and repairers, and highway maintenance workers.

As employment trends across industries continue to bring new challenges and opportunities to Ramsey County, Workforce Solutions is here to help – email us at  employerservices@co.ramsey.mn.us today! Explore building your future in construction in Ramsey County here and sign up for the Workforce Innovation Board, Youth Works!, and Job Seeker newsletters to learn more about workforce shifts in Ramsey County.