In Polk County, jobs in the medical and diagnostic laboratories pay the highest wages

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People with jobs in the medical and diagnostic laboratories industry paid the average highest wages in Polk County for the 2nd quarter of 2006. The average worker in the industry in Polk County received an annual wage of $99,122 in 2006. The average wage is greater than the average industry wage in the State of Iowa of $49,870 and greater than then the wage for jobs in this industry at the United States Level of $50,276.

Other top-pay jobs in Polk County, Iowa exsists in securities and commodity contracts brokerage ($97,790), druggists' goods merchant wholesalers ($93,205), offices of physicians ($82,935) and offices of real estate agents and brokers ($76,509) industries. Note: Click Graph Above for Detail Comparison

About: These facts are part of the eCanned.com Industry Analysis Series.

Datasource: U.S. Department of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW). Private Sector Employment Only.

Polk County Wages have increased by 22.2% Since 2001

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From the second quarter of 2001 to the second quarter of 2006, industry wages have increased in Polk County, Iowa by a total of 22.2%. This is greater than the growth in wages for the State of Iowa and greater than the growth in average wages for the US.

About: These facts are part of the eCanned.com Industry Analysis Series.

Datasource: U.S. Department of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW). Private Sector Employment Only.

Polk County Industry Wages Exceed Iowa, but Wages Lag Behind the United States

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Total wages in all industries in Polk County, Iowa when analyzed can be understood as being very high when analyzed with other Counties in the state. The overall wages are 23.4 percent higher than the state, which was reported to be $32,587. The industry pay was less than the industry average in the US of $40,259.

About: These facts are part of the eCanned.com Industry Analysis Series.

Datasource: U.S. Department of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW). Private Sector Employment Only.

Polk County Five-Year Industry Employment Change

Total employment has increased by 1.7 percent from the reported values in 2001. These values are less than growth in Iowa, which saw a gain of 2.5 percent since the 2nd Quarter of 2001. The gains in the area were less than than the gain seen for the United States of 2.6 percent.

Polk County Five-Year Percentage Decline in Employment

The Clay product and refractory manufacturing industry has seen the largest percentage drop in employment, losing 69.7 percent from 2001 (Q2) to 2006 (Q2). The losses of the area have declined faster than the industry has seen in the Iowa, where the it saw a loss of 43.2 percent. The losses in the Clay product and refractory manufacturing industry in Polk County outpaced the United States in terms of percentage decline of industry employment. In this period, the United States lost 23.5 percent in terms of employment in the Clay product and refractory manufacturing industry.

Top 5 Industries
1. Clay product and refractory manufacturing (69.7 percent decline)
2. Vending machine operators (66.5 percent decline)
3. Internet publishing and broadcasting (61.1 percent decline)
4. Petroleum merchant wholesalers (60.3 percent decline)
5. Electronic shopping and mail-order houses (55.1 percent decline)

Polk County Five-Year Percentage Growth in Employment

The Metalworking machinery manufacturing industry has seen the largest percentage job growth, expanding by 237.8 percent from the 2001 (Q2) to the 2006 (Q2). This industry in Polk County has expanded faster than the overall industry growth seen in the State of Iowa, where the industry felt a loss of 2 percent. The Metalworking machinery manufacturing industry in Polk County outpaced the United States, which experienced a lost 20.9 percent in this industry.

Top 5 Industries
1. Metalworking machinery manufacturing (237.8 percent gain)
2. Special food services (207.6 percent gain)
3. Chemical merchant wholesalers (141.3 percent gain)
4. Support activities for crop production (137.3 percent gain)
5. Medical and diagnostic laboratories (104.5 percent gain)

Total Five-Year Employment Growth in Polk County

Of the industries (4-digit NAICS) in the area, the Management of companies and enterprises industry has brought the most jobs with a total of 1,294 new jobs created in the period. The job growth in the Management of companies and enterprises industry makes up 7.0 percent of the total number of new jobs in Polk County.

Top 5 Industries
1. Management of companies and enterprises (1,294 new jobs)
2. Building equipment contractors (1,212 new jobs)
3. Limited-service eating places (1,146 new jobs)
4. Other general merchandise stores (757 new jobs)
5. Services to buildings and dwellings (747 new jobs)

Total Five-Year Employment Decline in Polk County

Given the industries in the area, the Department stores industry experienced most substantial job loss, losing 1,188 jobs in that time period. The declines in the Department stores industry make up 8.9 percent of the employment lost during the period in Polk County, Iowa.

Top 5 Industries
1. Department stores (1,188 jobs lost)
2. Data processing and related services (1,029 jobs lost)
3. Employment services (881 jobs lost)
4. Printing and related support activities (812 jobs lost)
5. Couriers (589 jobs lost)

In Polk County, Iowa, the entire sum of jobs in all industries overall has increased by 4,050 jobs between mid-2001 and mid-2006.

Of the 170 industries with industry data reported by the BLS in each quarter, 76 accounted an for increase in employment during the period and 93 industries reported employment loss in the period.

Polk County One-Year Industry Employment Change

Out of the 174 industry sectors (4-digit NAICS) with employment figures reported by the BLS in each quarter, 72 reported job growth in the duration of the year and 101 industries reported employment loss in the period.

In Polk County, Iowa, the total number of workers for all sectors has increased by 5,121 jobs from mid-2005 to mid-2006.

Total One-Year Employment Decline in Polk County

Given the industries in the area, the Spectator sports industry witnessed the largest drop in employment, losing a total of 378 jobs. The declines in the Spectator sports industry make up 9.6 percent of the employment lost during the period in Polk County, Iowa.

Top 5 Industries
1. Spectator sports (378 jobs lost)
2. Professional and similar organizations (362 jobs lost)
3. Nondepository credit intermediation (247 jobs lost)
4. Business support services (195 jobs lost)
5. Department stores (192 jobs lost)

Total One-Year Employment Growth in Polk County

Out of the 4-digit NAICS industries, the Depository credit intermediation industry has brought the most jobs with a total of 874 employees finding new jobs in the industry. The employment growth in the Depository credit intermediation industry makes up 10.5 percent of the growth in Polk County.

Top 5 Industries
1. Depository credit intermediation (874 new jobs)
2. Insurance carriers (619 new jobs)
3. Employment services (414 new jobs)
4. Grocery stores (389 new jobs)
5. General freight trucking (373 new jobs)

Polk County One-Year Percentage Decline in Employment

The Motor vehicle body and trailer manufacturing industry has lost the largest amount of employment in terms of percentage, losing 83 percent of the jobs from 2005 to 2006. These have declined faster than the industry has experienced in the State of Iowa, where the industry felt a loss of 6.6 percent. The losses in the Motor vehicle body and trailer manufacturing industry in Polk County outpaced the US in terms of percent of decline of industry employment. The US gained 4.9 in percent of jobs in the Motor vehicle body and trailer manufacturing industry.

Top 5 Industries
1. Motor vehicle body and trailer manufacturing (83 percent decline)
2. Vending machine operators (55.2 percent decline)
3. Spectator sports (54.7 percent decline)
4. Support activities for animal production (45.8 percent decline)
5. Petroleum merchant wholesalers (33.4 percent decline)

The total number of jobs has increased by 2.2 percent since the 2nd Quarter figures of 2005. This change is greater than percent in the State of Iowa, experiencing a gain of 1.8 percent since 2005 ( 2nd Quarter). The gains in the area were greater than than the gain reported at the US level of 2.0 percent.

Polk County One-Year Percentage Growth in Employment

The Machine shops and threaded product mfg. industry has gone through the largest job growth by percent, increasing by 140.9 percent from the 2005 (Q2) to the 2006 (Q2). This industry in Polk County has added employment faster than the industry has grown in the State of Iowa, where this industry saw a gain of 2.2 percent. The Machine shops and threaded product mfg. industry in Polk County outpaced the nation in terms of industry employment growth . During this period, the nation gained 3.4 percent of the employment in this industry.

Top 5 Industries
1. Machine shops and threaded product mfg. (140.9 percent gain)
2. Electronic shopping and mail-order houses (44.3 percent gain)
3. Performing arts companies (42.3 percent gain)
4. Specialty food stores (35.5 percent gain)
5. Sugar and confectionery product manufacturing (31.3 percent gain)





About: This report is part 1 of 6 in the eCanned.com Industry Analysis Series.

Datasource: U.S. Department of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW). Private Sector Employment Only.

Income and Poverty in Polk County, Iowa

The areas median household income has declined from the 2000 values (inflation adjusted). The median income has decreased to $51,948, representing a 3.7 percent decline. Polk County, Iowa, when analyzing percentage of decline, ranks 7 of 9 counties in percent of decline for income levels in the State of Iowa. Polk County ranks 525 of 668 counties (or parishes) when comparing total percent of decline in median income in the US.

When put side-by-side with other counties (or parishes) throughout the United States, Polk County, Iowa may be understood as having a rate of poverty among the people, accounting a rate of 7.9 percent of the population with family incomes below the 1999 poverty level. The Black or African American race/ethnicity demographic group, represents the largest rate of poverty with 28.2 percent of the population in 2000 living in poverty. Individuals aged Under 5 years have the most percent of people living in poverty in Polk County, reporting 12.6 percent of this age group in the area living in poverty.

The American Indian and Alaska Native headed households in Polk County had a median income of $45,338, this level was 16 percent less than the median for all households. In Polk County, Iowa White householders had a median household income (in 2005 Dollars) of $55,623 according to the Decennial Census of 2000, which was 3.1 percent greater than the median income in 2000. Black or African American householders reported household income levels that were 42.9 percent less than the overall reported level in 2000, with a reported median of $30,832. Hispanic headed households in Polk County, Iowa , according to the 2000 census, had a median household income of $40,335, which is 25.2 percent less than reported value of the areas total household median income for all households. The Asian headed households reported median household incomes of $52,684. This household income level is 2.4 percent less than the reported median household income, in the area, for all households.

The poverty rate in Polk County, Iowa has declined by 1.4 percent since the amounts published in 2000, moving from 7.9 percent to 6.5 percent.

While the median household income saw a decline in the last five year in Polk County, Iowa, the Race/Ethnicity group that experienced the largest decline in the household income level was the Hispanic category. This category saw a decline of 12.4 percent in the last five years. The Asian Race/Ethnicity category has been least effected by the income level decline in Polk County, encountering a 29.9 percent increase in median income, since the values reported in the 2000 Decennial Census.

Compared to other counties (and parishes) throughout the nation, Polk County accounted a relatively high median income for all households of $53,956 (Adjusted to 2005 Dollars). This figure is 14.4 percent higher than the median income in State of Iowa of $46,179 and the median is 8.9 percent higher than the median household income level in the US of $49,133.

Datasource: U.S. Bureau of the Census. 2000 Decennial Census. 2005 American Community Survey.

Higher Education in Polk County, Iowa

In 2000, the Census reported that in Polk County, Iowa, the most common level of education achieved in the area for the male population is the Bachelors Degree or Higher category, with 32.2 percent achieving this level. The female population in Polk have achieved a lower level of higher education (Bachelors or Higher) than men -- 32.2 percent (Men) versus 27.6 percent (Women). Many of the women in the area have achieved the Some College or Associates Degree category, with 30.6 percent of the women population in the area achieving this level of education.

From 2000, Polk has increased in the percent of the population that is over the age of 25 with a BA or Higher. This population cohort has grown by 2.4 percent to a total of 32.2 percent in 2005. According to the American Community Survey, the proportion of the population in 2005 with a BA or Higher is greater than the 2005 State of Iowa percent of 23.8 and greater than the United States percent of 27.2.

From 2000 to 2005, the percent of male population that is highly educated has increased by 1.8 percent. In the year 2005, 33.8 percent of total male population (over 25), in this area, held at least a Bachelors Degree. At the same time, the percent of women (over 25) holding a BA or higher has increased by a total of 3.0 percent. By 2005, a total of 30.6 percent of the female population having received at least a Bachelors Degree.

Polk County, Iowa is made up of a highly-educated population, with 29.8 percent of the population over 25 years old having received at least a Bachelors Degree, according to the Decennial Census of 2000. Polk is reported having a higher percent of the population with at least a Bachelors than the State of Iowa's proportion of 21.2 percent and a higher percent than the US proportion of 24.4 percent.

In Polk County, Iowa as reported in the Census of the year 2000, 31 percent of the White Alone, 16.4 percent of Black or African American, 28.2 percent of the Asian alone and 11.6 percent of the Hispanic or Latino population (over 25) has obtained a Bachelors Degree or Higher.

Datasource: U.S. Bureau of the Census. 2000 Decennial Census. 2005 American Community Survey.

Demographic Profile for Polk County, Iowa

Polk County, Iowa had a total estimated population of 401,006 in 2005. The estimated population has increased sharply, since the population in 2000 of 375,804. This growth shows an increase of 6.7 percent. Polk ranks 1 of 99 counties by growth in total population in Iowa and the county ranks 130 of 3,141 counties by growth in county population in the United States.

Polk County, Iowa has a population that is made up of 84.9 percent White, 4.8 percent African American, 3 percent Asian, and 5.7 percent Hispanic. The area can be described as having a modest amount of racial and ethnic diversity, with 13.5 percent of the population made up of minorities. This is greater than the State of Iowa percent of 7.3. Since 2000, Polk has increased the level of diversity when 12.0 percent of the population was made up of minorities.

When calculating the total land area, Polk encompasses a total area of 569 square miles. The county has a high density of 704 persons per square mile. Other counties with similar densities in the US include: -- more densely populated -- El Paso, TX (712 per sq. mile ), Schenectady, NY (723 per sq. mile ), Lafayette, LA (732 per sq. mile ), -- less densely populated -- San Diego, CA (698 per sq. mile ), Kent, MI (697 per sq. mile ), Galveston, TX (697 per sq. mile ).

The population division of the Census Bureau estimates in 2005 a median age in Polk County, Iowa to be 35.9 years of age. The median age in Polk is less than the median age in the State of Iowa of 38.6. Since the year 2000, the area has witnessed an increase in the median age, at that time the median was 34.4 years old. With a total of 24.7 percent of the 2005 population being comprised of individuals under the age of 18, Polk can be described as being made up of a medium-high percent of individuals under 18. The working age population group (18-64) has a medium-high presence of the 2005 population base, with 64.4 percent of the population falling in this age category. The retirement (65 and over) group makes up 11 percent of the population. When compared to other counties in the United States, this represents a medium-low proportion of the population.

Estimated since the year 2000, a high number of individual migrated to the Polk from another country. The international migration into Polk totals 26.1 percent of immigration into the State of Iowa. This level of international migration can be considered high when comparing levels of immigration per population in 2005.

Datasource: Population Estimates Program, U.S. Bureau of the Census.

Housing Report for Polk County, Iowa

The residential real estate values in Polk County, Iowa have seen large increases since the Census values accounted for in the year 2000. The values have increased by $33,400, or 32.4 percent, from their 2000 value of $103,100.

In Polk County, the U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division accounted for a total of 176,730 homes in the year 2005. This county has gone through a growth in housing units, adding a total of 17,979 residential structures since 2001, a change of 11.3 percent.

Polk County recorded a median home value in 2005 of $136,500, according to the American Community Survey. This home value is greater than the State of Iowa 2005 median owner-occupied dwelling value of $106,600 and less than median owner-occupied dwelling value of $167,500 for the rest of the nation in that year.

When compared to other counties in Iowa, Polk County is positioned 2 of 99 in terms of growth of new housing structures between 2001 and 2005. The county stands 231 of 3,141, compared to change in residential structure growth in counties throughout the Unities States.

Polk County has a medium proportion of high-valued homes. In 2005, the American Community Survey counted that 1.5 percent residential property is valued over $500k.

According to the data, there is a fair amount of real estate that is affordable in Polk County, Iowa. In 2005, 43.2 percent of residential real estate was valued under $125,000.

Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Employment Report for Polk County, Iowa -- Annual 2005 Industry Summary

Management of companies and enterprises is the industry with the largest change in employment since the year 2001 in Polk County, growing by 31.9 percent. This is greater than the rate of industry employment change in the United States of 1.6 percent. The State of Iowa had changed in sector employment of 67.5 percent, since the year 2001.

Manufacturing has a largest number of employee per establishment in Polk County, averaging 38 employees per business. This is less than the US industry average of 39 and less than the Iowa average of 54 for the Manufacturing industry.

Retail Trade saw the largest loss of employment between the years 2001-2005 in Polk County. The industry lost a total of 3,143 total jobs during the period, accounting for 9.4 percent of employment in the sector. These losses made up 46.4 percent of the total jobs loss in the County.

In Polk County, Finance and insurance, Wholesale trade and Information are the three industries with the highest location quotients. The Finance and insurance sector in the county has a location quotient of 3.06. This means the percent of total employment in the Finance and insurance industry is 3.06 times the percent of the national average, This signifies that Polk specializes in Finance and insurance.

In Polk County, Finance and insurance, Retail Trade, and the Health care and social assistance industries are the largest employment industries. The Finance and insurance is the largest employment industry and makes up 16.4 percent of all jobs throughout the county, totaling 37,878 individuals. The Retail Trade and Health care and social assistance sectors account for 13.1 and 11.6 percent of all employment.







Datasource: U.S. Department of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW).