Dependency Ratio

• For Minnesota, Wisconsin, Chisago, Washington, Pierce and St. Croix there were 40% - 50% more workers than dependents in 2019.
• For Polk County there were about one-third more workers than dependents in 2019, but only about 10% more in Burnett County

• The dependency ratio has been falling in all Wisconsin jurisdictions, as populations age.
• Polk and Burnett Counties have particularly low ratios, with Burnett approaching the point at which for every person in their prime working years (20 – 64 years old), there is one who is under 20 (and likely still in school) or 65 and older (and likely retired).
• Pierce and St. Croix Counties, which had stronger dependency ratios than the state, have fallen to nearly the average for Wisconsin.

• The dependency ratio in Minnesota and Washington  County have been declining slowly over time.
• Chisago County’s dependency ration has been flat;  never less than 1.50, nor larger than 1.53.

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