That's a fact and a finding in a new MSN report just yesterday
Moving Millennials Avoid Phoenix, Despite Population Boom
by Brian Hanna .
PHOENIX, AZ — The Phoenix metro area is topping many lists when it comes to growth but is scraping the bottom when it comes to attracting Millennials, new data from the National Realtors Association shows. Out of 100 major cities throughout the U.S., the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale area ranks 48th.
The study looked at employment numbers, population counts, income levels and the ability to buy a house.
The top cities included Denver, Colorado, Salt Lake City, Utah and Madison, Wisconsin. So what's deterring this large segment of the U.S.?
Millennials makeup about 25% of the Phoenix-area's population, according to the study, with a median income level of $57,700. For those in that age group who are just moving in, their median paycheck drops to about $46,300. Only about 8% of these newcomers could afford to buy a house here. For Millennials who've been living here for awhile, 18% of them can.
Unemployment among this age group in Phoenix trends higher than the national average, too, with 4.3% without work.
While these economic conditions aren't perfect, some leaders are pointing to Arizona's state of education as a reason the younger generation isn't moving here.
In an interview with KJZZ, the executive director for Achieve60AZ, says the issue is two-fold.
While the state retains about 80% of its universities graduates for the first couple of years, many leave for better options.
"We have somewhat of a flat opportunity here," Rachel Yanof told KJZZ.
Beyond a lack of professional development, for Millennials starting families, options for the kids become more important.
Some point to the lack of public spending on education as a drawback.
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This is hard-to-believe
Are you a Mesa teen entering your junior or senior year of high school in August? If so, get a head start on exploring careers with the Mayor’s TeenForce.
The Mayor’s TeenForce is a four-week program that places Mesa students in local businesses for short term internships along with service projects and job skills training.
Participants will focus on leadership, teamwork, communication, responsibility and compassion to help prepare them for the workforce in their area of interest. Some of the host industries include healthcare, engineering, education and law.
Students will work no more than 20 hours per week. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, students will work at the internship. On Thursdays, students will have a service and learning day.
Millennials makeup about 25% of the Phoenix-area's population, according to the study, with a median income level of $57,700. For those in that age group who are just moving in, their median paycheck drops to about $46,300. Only about 8% of these newcomers could afford to buy a house here. For Millennials who've been living here for awhile, 18% of them can.
Unemployment among this age group in Phoenix trends higher than the national average, too, with 4.3% without work.
While these economic conditions aren't perfect, some leaders are pointing to Arizona's state of education as a reason the younger generation isn't moving here.
In an interview with KJZZ, the executive director for Achieve60AZ, says the issue is two-fold.
While the state retains about 80% of its universities graduates for the first couple of years, many leave for better options.
"We have somewhat of a flat opportunity here," Rachel Yanof told KJZZ.
Beyond a lack of professional development, for Millennials starting families, options for the kids become more important.
Some point to the lack of public spending on education as a drawback.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Are you a Mesa teen entering your junior or senior year of high school in August? If so, get a head start on exploring careers with the Mayor’s TeenForce.
The Mayor’s TeenForce is a four-week program that places Mesa students in local businesses for short term internships along with service projects and job skills training.
Participants will focus on leadership, teamwork, communication, responsibility and compassion to help prepare them for the workforce in their area of interest. Some of the host industries include healthcare, engineering, education and law.
Students will work no more than 20 hours per week. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, students will work at the internship. On Thursdays, students will have a service and learning day.
