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 - June 2010
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State/County | Population* | Labor Force | Employed | Unemployed | Unemployment Rate | No. of Commuters into W. County** |
| Maryland | ||||||
| Washington County | 145,910 | 67,136 | 60,281 | 6,855 | 10.2% | *** |
| Allegany County | 72,532 | 34,334 | 31,094 | 3,240 | 9.4% | 666 |
| Frederick County | 227,980 | 122,659 | 114,640 | 8,019 | 6.5% | 2,153 |
| Pennsylvania | ||||||
| Franklin County | 144,994 | 80,800 | 73,700 | 7,100 | 8.8% | 7,841 |
| Fulton County |
14,852 | 7,900 | 6,900 | 900 | 11.8% | 1,139 |
| West Virginia | ||||||
| Berkeley County | 103,854 | 44,640 | 40,780 | 3,870 | 8.7% | 4,696 |
| Jefferson County | 52,750 | 22,880 | 22,270 | 1,610 | 6.8% | 488 |
| Morgan County | 16,385 | 6,710 | 6,090 | 620 | 9.2% | 1,166 |
| Total Regional Workforce |
779,257 | 387,059 | 355,755 | 32,214 | 8.9% | 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.