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Business Climate

Related Information

Workforce

Our productive, dedicated, and well-rounded regional workforce of 400,000 has made the county a choice location for manufacturers, financial services, and distribution companies. This existing workforce provides an incredible opportunity to new businesses and those looking to expand, as a highly-educated and skilled workforce lives right here in our own backyard.

Over 12% of our workforce is involved in manufacturing activities— more than twice the average for the State of Maryland. Government, business, and community organizations partner together to continue to diversify the local economy. As a result, aero defense, engineering, and advanced technology sectors are becoming a larger part of our industrial mix.


Employment History Chart
Employment* 2009 2008 2007 2006
Civilian Labor Force 67,925 69,072 70,396 70,138
Employment 61,248 65,228 67,169 67,044
Unemployment 6,677 3,844 3,227 3,094
Unemployment Rate 9.8% 5.6% 4.6% 4.6%

*Annual averages. Data are not seasonally adjusted. Figures represent the number of county residents employed, including those working outside of the community. SOURCE: MD Dept. of Labor, Licensing & Regulation, Office of Labor Market Analysis & Information (2009).


Regional Workforce Draw - April 2010

 

State/County Population* Labor Force Employed Unemployed Unemployment Rate No. of Commuters into W. County**
Maryland            
Washington County 145,384 66,476 60,169 6,307 9.5% ***
Allegany County 72,238 34,549 31,633 2,916 8.4% 666
Frederick County 225,721 122,418 115,008 7,410 6.1% 2,153
Pennsylvania            
Franklin County 143,495 80,300 73,400 6,900 8.5% 7,841
Fulton
County
14,935 7,800 6,900 900 11.5% 1,139
West Virginia            
Berkeley County 102,044 44,540 40,400 4,140 9.3% 4,696
Jefferson County 51,615 24,060 22,420 1,640 6.8% 488
Morgan County 16,325 6,670 6,040 630 9.5% 1,166
Total Regional
Workforce
771,757 386,813 355,970 35,376 8.7% 20,451****

Employment and unemployment data are not seasonally adjusted.*Source: 2009 Population Estimates, prepared by U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, March 2008. **Source: 2000 Journey-to-Work Commutation, prepared by Maryland Department of Planning, Planning Data Services, from 2000 Census, March 2003.*** The total number of Washington County residents that commute out of the county: 16,378.**** Includes the total commutation into Washington County from Maryland, surrounding states and elsewhere.

Note: According to a study conducted by The Pathfinders - In addition to the unemployed in the Washington County region, a new employer will be able attract employees from an additional pool of about 18,900 underemployed workers who have indicated an interest in changing jobs.

 





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