2026 E-Insights Report

Labor Force Participation Rate by MSA: High School Graduates

  • Tampa Bay shows a recovering but volatile labor market. While the labor force participation rate steadily climbed to 75.1% in 2024, its competitive standing remains unstable. After surging from a historical floor of No. 20 to a peak of No. 13 in 2023, the MSA corrected to No. 17 in 2024, indicating that improved local engagement has not yet guaranteed a sustained mid-tier position against peer markets.
  • Denver maintained undisputed leadership, consistently holding the No. 1 position and boasting a superior ~79% participation rate. In contrast, San Antonio mirrored Tampa Bay’s historical lows (Nos. 19–20), while Raleigh faced instability with significant dips in participation, highlighting the widening performance gap between established hubs and developing MSAs.
Bar Graph

Trend Over Time

Trend Over Time Line Graph

Competitive Position Trend

Competitive Position Trend Line Graph

About: Labor Force Participation Rate measures the percentage of the population active in the workforce for only high school graduates. Definition: The labor force includes the employed, the unemployed, and the Armed Forces. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS), Table B23006: Educational Attainment by Employment Status for the Population 25 to 64 Years, 2013–2024.