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County hears demographic briefing: fewer births, aging population and workforce squeeze ahead
Summary
Ford Analytics consultant Dale Knapp told supervisors that Chippewa County’s population trends largely mirror statewide declines in births and an aging baby-boom cohort, and he urged local planning for childcare, senior care and workforce attraction.
Chippewa County supervisors heard a demographic briefing that projected a shrinking youth population, an aging workforce and potential labor shortages over the next decade.
Dale Knapp of Ford Analytics told the board that statewide low birth rates and aging Baby Boomers will exert pressure on the workforce and on services such as childcare and senior care. "The children of today are the workforce of tomorrow," Knapp said, and he warned that declines in births and modest net migration will reduce the prime working-age population.
Knapp said Chippewa County has fared better than Wisconsin overall in recent years but still faces projected declines: he estimated the county could lose roughly 1,500 residents in the under-15 cohort this decade, and about 2,300 fewer people in the 25–64 age group by the decade’s end if current trends continue.
Randy Schultz, the county administrator, introduced the presentation and noted that the study builds on analyses the county has discussed at Wisconsin Counties Association meetings in previous years.
Knapp recommended earlier planning on childcare, eldercare infrastructure and workforce strategies. He said labor-force participation has declined since about 2017 and that part of the decline may be tied to child-care availability, COVID-era labor choices and the rising share of residents aged 65 and older. "If your natural change is negative, just to stay even on population, you've got to bring in people to the county," Knapp said.
Knapp also presented local commuting data showing Chippewa County is a net exporter of workers, with many residents commuting to Eau Claire and neighboring counties and about half of county jobs filled by in-commuters. He urged local leaders to consider policies that make it easier for working families to stay and for employers to tap underused labor pools, including older workers who may want part-time employment.
The presentation concluded with an announcement that Ford Analytics will publish a short county-level spotlight on the declining youth population; Knapp said a brief report will be available soon to help local planning.
