Latest News: Aerotropolis Releases Local Region and Laborshed Occupational and Industry Analysis

The highest growing occupations in Washtenaw and Wayne counties are Cargo and Freight Agents (226.21%), Transportation, Storage, Distribution Managers (222.47%), and Logisticians (201.74%), all having grown almost double since 2010.

The Detroit Region Aerotropolis contracted with Workforce Intelligence Network (WIN) to better understand the following: growing industries in the Aerotropolis region, an occupational analysis (10 occupations), wage growth by industry, the unemployment by industry and profiled occupations, educational attainment in the Aerotropolis region, and a Labor Shed Analysis. Below are some highlights from the attached reports.

Part 1 – Aerotropolis Labor, as it compares to Southeast Michigan

What’s really striking is that 79.9% of Aerotropolis employed residents commute out of the region for work. More than a quarter (26.7%) of those employed in the Aerotropolis local region travel 25 miles or more from their home to work. Of those, 13.7% travel more than 50 miles. The development of 8-10 million sq. ft. of commercial space in the next 5 years will help reverse this trend.

The earnings and location quotients trend well when comparing Aerotropolis to the greater laborshed.

Interestingly, the concentration (as defined by location quotient) of motor vehicle parts manufacturing in Aerotropolis has grown from 7.64 in 2010 to 9.07, which is more concentrated than in the broader Southeast Michigan region, and the nation. Similarly, metalworking machinery manufacturing and nonscheduled air transportation are very high, which had location quotients of 5.76 and 1.98 in 2010 to 17.58 and 12.08 in 2021.

Part 2 – Wayne and Washtenaw Counties Labor

The highest growing occupations in Washtenaw and Wayne counties are Cargo and Freight Agents (226.21%), Transportation, Storage, Distribution Managers (222.47%), and Logisticians (201.74%), all having grown almost double since 2010.

The difference between occupational supply and demand is staggering. There is a lot of opportunity for employment out there!

The full reports are available below!