Stearns County Youth Show Some of State’s Highest Employment Numbers [AUDIO]

STEARNS COUNTY - Some good news related to young adults in Stearns County - they're employed at some of the highest rates around Minnesota.

This was determined by a new study called "Youth and Work" by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

The report shows that 19,949, or 70 percent of Stearns County residents between 16 and 24 years old report being partially or fully employed for at least 12 months - making it the second highest of the 11 counties studied.

Kara Arzamendia, Research Director with the foundation's Children's Defense Fund says the data does shift a little bit when you separate it by ages 16-19 and ages 20-24.

Arzamendia says some possible reasons for the higher rates in Stearns County include a central location, less competition compared to the metro area, and access to higher education.