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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* 2007 2006 2005 2004
Civilian Labor Force 70,396 70,138 68,454 66,744
Employment 67,169 67,044 65,511 63,747
Unemployment 3,227 3,094 2,943 2,997
Unemployment Rate 4.6% 4.6% 4.3% 4.5%

*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 (2006).


Regional Workforce Draw - October 2008
State/County Population* Labor Force Employed Unemployed Unemployment Rate No. of Commuters into W. County**
Maryland            
Washington County 145,113 68,912 64,600 4,312 6.3 % ***
Allegany County 72,594 35,664 33,545 2,119 5.9 % 666
Frederick County 224,705 123,910 118,815 5,095 4.1 % 2,153
Pennsylvania            
Franklin County 141,665 83,400 79,600 3,800 4.6 % 7,841
Fulton
County
14,939 8,000 7,200 800 9.6% 1,139
West Virginia            
Berkeley County 99,734 46,070 43,790 2,280 4.9 % 4,696
Jefferson County 50,832 25,300 24,280 1,020 4.0 % 488
Morgan County 16,351 7,190 6,850 340 4.7 % 1,166
Total Regional
Workforce
765,933 398,446 378,680 19,766 5.0 % 20,451****

Employment and unemployment data are not seasonally adjusted.*Source: 2007 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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