Best cities for Gen Z workers
Fargo, ND, ranked 4th overall for affordability and 13th in terms of employment factors.
Gen Z is a generation of many-firsts, including being the first digital-native generation to enter the workforce. As Gen Z continues to make impacts on the changing workforce, a new study conducted by Checkr, an employee background screening company, researched which American cities are the most attractive to these younger workers.
According to the study, the top five cities for Gen Z workers — all located in the midwestern region — include, Fargo, ND, Oshkosh, WI, Cedar Rapids, IA, Bismark, ND, and Madison, WI. While these cities might not be notable for their temperate climates, all five rank in the top 16 cities for Gen Z-based employment factors.
Fargo, ND, ranked 4th overall for affordability and 13th in terms of employment factors. The city was also noted for its abundance of green spaces, recreational areas, flourishing art scene and entrepreneurial spirit.
With many Gen Zers eager to live in big cities, the study examined which large cities — with 300,000 people or more — are most attractive to the young generation. Top ranking cities included Madison, WI, Lincoln, NE, Omaha, NE, Des Moines, IA, and Grand Rapids, MI.
Madison, WI, the top-rated large city, boasts a top-ranking university, The University of Wisconsin-Madison which adds to the college-town flare. Additionally, the city, which is situated between two lakes, provides great scenery and opportunities for outdoor recreation.
The study found that the highest-rated mid-sized cities — with 150,000 to 300,000 people — included Bismark, ND, Sheboygan, WI, Missoula, MT, Fairbanks, AK, and Jefferson City, MO.
Related: Is Gen Z more traditional than we think?
Bismark, which is North Dakota’s capital city, ranks top-ten nationally for affordability and employment factors, making it a highly desirable city for Gen Zers looking to earn a good living while saving on housing and other essential costs.
Finally, the highest-rated cities with populations of 150,000 or less included Fargo, ND, Oshkosh, WI, Cedar Rapids, IA, Sioux Falls, SD, and Appleton, WI.