Mackinac Economic Alliance

Ph: (906) 984-2095
330 N. State St., St. Ignace, MI 49781

Education and Workforce Profile

Tourism leads Mackinac County’s economy; arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services represent a full 17% of jobs. However other sectors are growing; wholesale trade, transportation and warehousing, utilities, information, finance, insurance, real estate, and services all recently saw significant growth. 22% of the population now works in educational, health, and social services.

In Mackinac County, 68% of our workforce is from the private sector, while nearly 23% are in the public sector, and 9.15% are self-employed. Our average annual unemployment is 11.72%, but that drops as low as 3.06% in August, half the national average for the same time period.

The Mackinac Economic Alliance is committed to cultivating and attracting new talent, and our workforce base remains promising. 89% of our population ages 18-64 have graduated high school and over 18% of our population 25 and up have at least a bachelor’s degree.

Employment By Industry 2012 ACS # % change from last year
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining 180 4.03% -21.11%
Construction 392 8.77% -12.24%
Manufacturing 137 3.06% -67.15%
Wholesale trade 56 1.25% 44.64%
Retail trade 532 11.90% -9.59%
Transportation and warehousing, and utilities 231 5.17% 4.33%
Information 24 0.54% 16.67%
Finance, insurance, real estate, and rental and leasing 287 6.42% 16.38%
Professional, scientific, management, administrative, and waste management services 198 4.43% -24.24%
Educational, health and social services 966 21.61% 4.66%
Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services 763 17.07% -20.45%
Other services (except public administration) 327 7.32% 22.02%
Public administration 377 8.43% -9.55%