ST. PAUL, MN – Minnesota ranks first in the nation in job creation, according to the 2015 Job Creation Index report just released by the Gallup Inc. polling company.

 

Minnesota received a score of 38 in the index, based on worker reports of hiring activity at their places of employment. Georgia and Utah tied for second at 36, followed by Delaware, Nebraska, Nevada and Oregon (all at 35) and Wisconsin and North Dakota (both at 34).

 

“Gallup has announced that Minnesota is the top state on their Job Creation Index,” said Governor Mark Dayton. “This is the first time Minnesota has ranked number one in this reputable study. I congratulate the hard-working people and businesses of Minnesota for achieving this national distinction.”

 

This is the third time Minnesota has placed in the top 10 states since Gallup began tracking the Job Creation Index in 2008, and the first time it has taken the top spot. Minnesota was also ranked in the top 10 in 2012 and 2013.

 

“This is fantastic news,” said Lt. Governor Tina Smith. “Minnesota’s strong and growing economy is a credit to our hard-working people, and the many innovative businesses across our great state. Still, we have more work to do to build an economy that works for all Minnesotans, in every region of our state. We are committed to continuing that important work.”

 

The index results are based on telephone interviews of U.S. workers conducted by Gallup throughout 2015. Workers were asked to report on hiring activity at their places of employment.

 

For the year, an average of 46 percent of working Minnesotans said their places of employment were hiring workers and expanding the size of their workforces, compared with 8 percent who said their employers were letting workers go and reducing the size of their workforces.

 

“Minnesota’s national recognition for job creation highlights the significant accomplishments of our businesses that – along with critical public investments – put our state on a path for long-term growth,” said Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Katie Clark Sieben. “Our main priority now is ensuring that all Minnesotans have an opportunity to experience our thriving economy by training workers to fill the open positions across the state.”

 

Minnesota, which has a 3.5 percent unemployment rate (the 7th-lowest in the country) added more than 42,000 jobs last year, with the biggest job gains in education and health, leisure and hospitality, and professional and business services.

 

More details about how the study was conducted and the results can be found here.

 

In addition to today’s Gallup report, Minnesota has been recognized in recent months at the top of numerous other national rankings. Some of those rakings include:

 

Best State for Business – CNBC recently ranked Minnesota the best state in the nation for business.

 

2nd-Strongest State in the Nation – Politico recently ranked Minnesota the 2nd-strongest state in the nation in its annual “The States of Our Union” report.

 

Best State to Retire – The AARP recently ranked Minnesota the best state to retire in – offering some of the best housing, health care, and other services to our older residents.

 

5th-Best Run State – Minnesota was recently named one of the five best-run states in the nation by 24/7 Wall Street.

 

3rd-Best Place to Own a Home – This week, Porch and Redfin ranked Minnesota the 3rd-best state to own a home.