Employment patterns are in worse shape than “unemployment rates” would imply.  The area has a larger proportion of “discouraged workers” who are no longer looking for work.  Underemployment is also an issue.

The quality of work is also limited.  Only 18% of adults in the Making Connections area have work which would be considered “sustainable.”  Many jobs are part time or transitory.  Work benefits are also limited.  Only 20% of those employed have full benefits compared with 34% for Milwaukee County .

An official “unemployment rate” is calculated as a percent of those who are working or want to work.  The Making Connections survey “rate” gives a more accurate perspective - 31.0% of those in the workforce are unemployed compared to 20.1% in the city.