[FreeSpirited1]

since the economy hasn't changed much over these many years, wondering how anyone is making a living there? I have family there, but few working. Curious...what is the employment outlook, now with this "new economy" we have

I would have already been moved there if there were jobs; now it looks like the rest of the nation doesn't have too much there either so, take my chances I have insurance/office skills of 15 years so would find something or ?

[baystater]

Baraga County, MI Employment and Unemployment

Unemployment Rate: Baraga County, MI, Michigan; Percent; NSA

Some needy counties shut out of stimulus cash - MiningJournal.net | News, Sports, Jobs, Marquette Information | The Mining Journal

[jeeg]

What Baystater said (with links instead of words). I don't know where you're looking and I'm only familiar with the Marquette job market. Up until the middle of last summer I was able to say "If you want to live up here bad enough, you'll make it work. Take a low paying job if you have to until something comes up in your field"
Unfortunately I can no longer say that. Even the low paying service jobs are few and far between now. It's not impossible if this is your dream, but it's a darn sight harder then it was even a year ago.
Good luck with whatever you do

[baystater]

Alger County, MI Employment and Unemployment

Chippewa County, MI Employment and Unemployment

Delta County, MI Employment and Unemployment

Dickinson County, MI Employment and Unemployment

Gogebic County, MI Employment and Unemployment

Houghton County, MI Employment and Unemployment

Iron County, MI Employment and Unemployment

Keweenaw County, MI Employment and Unemployment

Luce County, MI Employment and Unemployment

Mackinac County, MI Employment and Unemployment

Marquette County, MI Employment and Unemployment

Menominee County, MI Employment and Unemployment

Ontonagon County, MI Employment and Unemployment

Schoolcraft County, MI Employment and Unemployment

I decided to put all the other counties employment/unemployment rates up because I don't think Baraga county offers a completely fair view of the employment landscape.

[jeeg]

Interesting site Baystater, thanks for throwing my county up. Looks like it was level until November of last year then has been dropping steadily.

[FESTER]

I would say stay put for now. Some of the few decent paying jobs here are at the mines or the prisons and both are laying off now. If you have anything less than a set of fantastic skills, the prospects are VERY bleak here. At some point things will improve. If you are dead set on giving it a go then come visit for a couple weeks and look around. Whatever you do DO NOT move here without a job. That is a recipe for certain failure. Good luck.