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For generations, America has remained a symbol of opportunity, a land where hard work can lead to a better life for individuals and families alike. In Minnesota, the dedication to hard work is evident, but there are certain communities that exemplify this ethos more than others. In 2026, we explore the hardest working places in the North Star State, where residents go above and beyond in their professional commitments.
Leading the charge is Shorewood, a community that has earned the title of the hardest working place in Minnesota. Residents here demonstrate such commitment that even the daily commute feels like a job in itself.
Curious about which other cities in Minnesota are known for their strong work ethic? Here’s a list of the top contenders where diligence is rewarded, and promotions are earned through tireless effort:
Explore these communities to see what you can learn from their work ethic and dedication to excellence.
For further insights into Minnesota’s job market, check out:
How We Determined the Hardest Working Places in Minnesota
At Zippia, we rely on data to address important questions. For this ranking, we utilized the latest American Community Survey data, ensuring a contemporary view of Minnesota’s labor landscape.
We selected a range of criteria to evaluate each city, focusing on factors that indicate a strong work ethic:
- Average hours worked per week
- Average commute time
- Workers per household (employed labor force divided by total households)
- Labor force participation rate
- Percentage of adults with a college degree
Our methodology involved ranking each city on these criteria, with a lower score indicating a higher level of hard work. After analyzing the data for all cities in Minnesota, we calculated an overall hardworking index, crowning Shorewood as the hardest working place in the state.
Check out the detailed chart below to see how each city ranked and the factors contributing to their positions.
1. Shorewood
Population: 7,438 College Graduates: 63.1%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 39.4
Workers Per Household: 1.5
2. Victoria
Population: 7,845 College Graduates: 61.6%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 39.7
Workers Per Household: 1.7
3. Lakeville
Population: 57,715 College Graduates: 46.3%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 38.4
Workers Per Household: 1.7
4. Minnetrista
Population: 6,661 College Graduates: 52.3%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 38.6
Workers Per Household: 1.6
5. Byron
Population: 5,023 College Graduates: 33.6%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 37.4
Workers Per Household: 1.7
6. Rogers
Population: 11,747 College Graduates: 36.0%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 38.4
Workers Per Household: 1.7
7. Champlin
Population: 23,591 College Graduates: 34.6%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 38.1
Workers Per Household: 1.7
8. St. Michael
Population: 16,767 College Graduates: 34.3%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 38.5
Workers Per Household: 1.8
9. Hugo
Population: 13,850 College Graduates: 37.7%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 38.5
Workers Per Household: 1.6
10. Rosemount
Population: 22,469 College Graduates: 42.5%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 38.2
Workers Per Household: 1.6
Detailed List of Hardest Working Places in Minnesota
| City | Rank |
|---|---|
| Shorewood | 1 |
| Victoria | 2 |
| Lakeville | 3 |
| Minnetrista | 4 |
| Byron | 5 |
| Rogers | 6 |
| Champlin | 7 |
| St. Michael | 8 |
| Hugo | 9 |
| Rosemount | 10 |
In summary, the communities highlighted in this article showcase the strong work ethic prevalent in Minnesota. As we move further into 2026, let these cities inspire your own career ambitions and dedication to hard work.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
