In Kent County, the securities and commodity contracts brokerage industry jobs pay the highest wages

Employment in the securities and commodity contracts brokerage industry paid the average highest wages in Kent County for 2006. The average industry job in Kent County earned an annual wage of $126,700 in 2006. The annual wage is greater than the average industry wage in the State of Michigan of $108,192 and less than then the wage for jobs in this industry in the US of $138,150.

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High-wage employment in Kent County, Michigan are present in offices of physicians ($79,648), medical and diagnostic laboratories ($73,227), electronic instrument manufacturing ($69,844) and other investment pools and funds ($69,042 industries. Note: For Detail Comparison, Click the Above Graph

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.

Kent County Wages have increased by 12.6% Since 2001

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From the second quarter of 2001 to the second quarter of 2006, industry wages have increased in Kent County, Michigan by a total of 12.6%. This is greater than the growth in wages for the State of Michigan and less than the growth in average industry wages for the United States.

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.

Kent County Industry Wages Lag Behind Michigan, and Wages Lag Behind the United States

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Wages in all industries in Kent County, Michigan can be understood as being relatively high when analyzed with other 2nd quarter of 2006 County wages throughout the state. The average pay is 8 percent lower than the state, which accounted an average of $40,310. The average pay was less than the US average pay 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.

Kent County Five-Year Industry Employment Change

Kent County Five-Year Percentage Decline in Employment

The Support activities for air transportation industry has lost the largest amount of employment in terms of percentage, losing 90.1 percent from 2001 (Q2) to 2006 (Q2). The losses of the area have declined faster than the industry sector has felt in the State of Michigan, where the industry reported a gain of 8.7 percent. The losses in the Support activities for air transportation industry in Kent County outpaced the losses of nation as a whole in the industry. In this time period, the nation gained 8.4 percent in terms of employees in the Support activities for air transportation industry.

Top 5 Industries
1. Support activities for air transportation (90.1 percent decline)
2. Commercial and service industry machinery (77.9 percent decline)
3. Other crop farming (72.4 percent decline)
4. Audio and video equipment manufacturing (52.6 percent decline)
5. Nonmetallic mineral mining and quarrying (51.1 percent decline)

Kent County Five-Year Percentage Growth in Employment

The Activities related to credit intermediation industry has seen the largest percentage job growth, expanding by 107.8 percent from the 2001 (Q2) to the 2006 (Q2). This industry in Kent County has added employment faster than the industry has grown in the State of Michigan, where this industry saw a gain of 86.4 percent. The Activities related to credit intermediation industry in Kent County outpaced the United States, which experienced a gained 49.5 percent of the industry employment.

Top 5 Industries
1. Activities related to credit intermediation (107.8 percent gain)
2. Grain and oilseed milling (102.2 percent gain)
3. Machinery and equipment rental and leasing (96.1 percent gain)
4. Electronic instrument manufacturing (90.6 percent gain)
5. Community care facilities for the elderly (87.1 percent gain)

The total number of jobs has decreased by 0.2 percent from 2001 (2nd Quarter). These figures are less than growth in the State of Michigan, experiencing a loss of -5.7 percent since the 2nd Quarter of 2001. The losses the area experienced were greater than than the gain reported at the US level of 2.6 percent.

Total Five-Year Employment Growth in Kent County

From the industries (4-digit NAICS) in the area, the Employment services industry has accounted the most employment growth with a total of 6,811 employees finding new jobs in the industry. The employment growth in the Employment services industry makes up 21.9 percent of the total employment growth in Kent County.

Top 5 Industries
1. Employment services (6,811 new jobs)
2. General medical and surgical hospitals (2,178 new jobs)
3. Full-service restaurants (1,626 new jobs)
4. Insurance carriers (1,548 new jobs)
5. Electronic instrument manufacturing (1,456 new jobs)

In Kent County, Michigan, the total number of workers for all sectors has decreased by 681 jobs between mid-2001 and mid-2006.

From the 180 industries (4-digit NAICS) with sufficient data reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in each quarter, 98 described an expansion of jobs throughout the time period, while 82 industry sectors reported declines during the time period.

Total Five-Year Employment Decline in Kent County

The Office furniture and fixtures manufacturing industry witnessed the largest drop in employment, losing a total of 4,868 jobs in that time period. The declines in the Office furniture and fixtures manufacturing industry make up 17.3 percent of the total job loss in Kent County, Michigan.

Top 5 Industries
1. Office furniture and fixtures manufacturing (4,868 jobs lost)
2. Grocery stores (1,753 jobs lost)
3. Department stores (1,452 jobs lost)
4. Other general purpose machinery manufacturing (1,049 jobs lost)
5. Grocery and Related Product Wholesalers (1,008 jobs lost)

Kent County One-Year Industry Employment Change

In Kent County, Michigan, the aggregate employment for all industry sectors has increased by 3,282 jobs from mid-2005 to mid-2006.

Total One-Year Employment Decline in Kent County

Given the industries in the area, the Management and technical consulting services industry experienced most substantial job loss, losing 2,048 jobs in that time period. The declines in the Management and technical consulting services industry make up 20.8 percent of the jobs lost during the period in Kent County, Michigan.

Top 5 Industries
1. Management and technical consulting services (2,048 jobs lost)
2. Colleges and universities (913 jobs lost)
3. Grocery stores (610 jobs lost)
4. Other general merchandise stores (545 jobs lost)
5. Other general purpose machinery manufacturing (439 jobs lost)

Out of the 186 industry sectors (4-digit NAICS) with employment figures reported by the BLS in each quarter, 91 described an expansion of jobs throughout the time period, while 95 industry sectors accounting for employment declines during that time period.

Total One-Year Employment Growth in Kent County

Out of the 4-digit NAICS industries, the Employment services industry has accounted the most employment growth with a total of 5,866 total jobs brought in during the period. The growth in the Employment services industry makes up 44.5 percent of the total growth in Kent County.

Top 5 Industries
1. Employment services (5,866 new jobs)
2. Insurance carriers (595 new jobs)
3. Nursing care facilities (455 new jobs)
4. Other wood product manufacturing (452 new jobs)
5. Elementary and secondary schools (341 new jobs)

Total employment has increased by 1.1 percent from 2005 (2nd Quarter). These figures are less than growth in the State of Michigan, which experienced a loss of -1.1 percent since the 2nd Quarter of 2005. The gains the area experienced were less than than the gain seen for the United States of 2.0 percent.

Kent County One-Year Percentage Growth in Employment

The Electrical equipment manufacturing industry has gone through the largest job growth by percent, increasing by 221.4 percent from the 2nd quarter of 2005 to the 2nd quarter of 2006. This industry sector in Kent County has increased employment faster than the industry has grown in the State of Michigan, where this industry saw a loss of 8.7 percent. The Electrical equipment manufacturing industry in Kent County outpaced the US in terms of percent growth of industry employment. During this period, the US gained 2.8 percent of the industry employment.

Top 5 Industries
1. Electrical equipment manufacturing (221.4 percent gain)
2. Local messengers and local delivery (149.7 percent gain)
3. Household goods repair and maintenance (64.4 percent gain)
4. Other wood product manufacturing (58.2 percent gain)
5. Paint, coating, and adhesive manufacturing (35.8 percent gain)

Kent County One-Year Percentage Decline in Employment

The Unclassified industry has lost the largest percent of jobs, losing 84.8 percent from 2005 (Q2) to 2006 (Q2). The losses of the area have declined faster than the industry sector has felt in the State of Michigan, where the industry sector experienced a gain of 33.4 percent. The losses in the Unclassified industry in Kent County outpaced the US in terms of percent of decline of industry employment. The US gained 12.1 percent in terms of employees in the Unclassified industry.

Top 5 Industries
1. Unclassified (84.8 percent decline)
2. Management and technical consulting services (70.2 percent decline)
3. Support activities for air transportation (42.3 percent decline)
4. Promoters of performing arts and sports (41.6 percent decline)
5. Software publishers (32.4 percent decline)





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 Kent County, Michigan

When analyzed against other counties (and parishes) in the US, Kent County was reported to have a relatively high household income of $53,797 (2005 Dollars). The income level is 2.9 percent higher than the median income in State of Michigan of $52,260 and the median is 8.7 percent higher than the median household income in the United States of $49,133.

In Kent County, Michigan White householders had a median household income (in 2005 Dollars) of $56,332 as reported by the Decennial Census of 2000, which was 4.7 percent greater than the median in the year 2000. The Asian householders in the area have reported their median household incomes at $59,489. This median is 10.6 percent greater than the reported median household income, in the area, for all households. Hispanic headed households in Kent County, Michigan reported a median household income of $42,383, this median is 21.2 percent less than reported value of the areas total household median income for all households. Black or African American headed households had median income levels that were 39.2 percent less than the overall median reported in 2000, with a reported median of $32,705. The American Indian and Alaska Native households in Kent County reported an income level of $43,992, this was 18.2 percent less than the median level for total households in the area.

The household income has declined from the values (adjusted for inflation) in 2000. The median has decreased to $46,456, which represents a 13.6 percent decline. Kent County, Michigan, in terms of percentage of decline, ranks 5 of 28 counties in percent of decline for the household income level in the State of Michigan. Kent County ranks 81 of 668 counties (or parishes) in terms of the decline in median household income in the United States.

The poverty rate in Kent County, Michigan has increased by 3.2 percent from the levels reported in the Decennial Census of 2000, moving from 8.9 percent to 12.1 percent.

Contrasted against to other counties (or parishes) throughout the US, Kent County, Michigan may be understood as having a rate of poverty among the people, accounting a rate of 8.9 percent with a family income under the 1999 poverty level. The Black or African American race/ethnicity demographic group, represents the largest rate of poverty with 25.6 percent of the population in 2000 living in poverty. Individuals aged Under 5 years have the largest percent of population in poverty in Kent County, reporting 12.4 percent of the population in this age category living in poverty.

As the median income level saw a decline in the last five year in Kent County, Michigan, the Race/Ethnicity category that felt the biggest decline in median household income was the Asian Race/Ethnicity category. This category went through a decline of 20.4 percent in the last five years. The Black or African American population group was least impacted by the household income decline in Kent County, undergoing a 9.6 percent decline in median income, since the values reported in the 2000 Decennial Census.

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

In Kent County, Michigan as reported in the Census of the year 2000, 27.6 percent of the White Alone, 11.8 percent of Black or African American, 33.4 percent of the Asian alone and 9 percent of the Hispanic or Latino population, over the age 25, has achieved at least a Bachelors Degree.

Kent County, Michigan may to understood as having a highly-educated population, with 25.8 percent of the population over 25 years old having received at least a Bachelors Degree, according to the Decennial Census of 2000. Kent was reported to have a higher percent of individuals with higher educations than the State of Michigan's proportion of 21.8 percent and a higher percent than United States proportion of 24.4 percent.

From 2000, Kent has increased in the population percent with a Bachelors Degree or Higher. This population percent has grown by 3.0 percent to a total of 28.8 percent in 2005, as reported by the American Community Survey. The proportion of the 2005 population having received at least a BA is greater than the 2005 State of Michigan percent of 24.6 and greater than the national percent of 27.2.

The 2000 Decennial Census reported that in Kent County, Michigan, the largest educational attainment category for men is the Some College or Associates Degree category, with 29.2 percent obtaining this level of education. The women in Kent have on average achieved a lower level of higher education (Bachelors Degree or Higher) than the male population-- 28 percent (Men) versus 23.8 percent (Women). Many of the women in the area have achieved the Some College or Associates Degree category, with 31.8 percent of the areas female population attaining this level of education.

Between 2000 and 2005, the percent of the male population that can be understood as highly educated has increased by 1.2 percent. By 2005, 29.2 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 4.6 percent. By 2005, a total of 28.4 percent of the total female population achieved this high level of education.

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

Kent County, Michigan had a population of 596,666 in 2005. The total population has increased, since the 2000 total population of 576,289. This growth shows an increase of 3.5 percent. Kent ranks 3 of 83 counties by growth in total population in Michigan and the county ranks 164 of 3,141 counties when analyzing total county population change across the nation.

In terms of total land area, Kent encompasses a total area of 856 square miles. The county has a high density of 697 persons per square mile. Other counties with similar densities in the US include: -- more densely populated -- San Diego, CA (698 per sq. mile ), Polk, IA (704 per sq. mile ), El Paso, TX (712 per sq. mile ), -- less densely populated -- Galveston, TX (697 per sq. mile ), Washington, OR (691 per sq. mile ), Jefferson, CO (682 per sq. mile ).

Since the year 2000, a very high amount of people migrated to Kent from outside the country. The immigration into Kent makes up 9.8 percent of the total migration into the State of Michigan. This percent of international migration is very high when compared to international migration per 2005 population.

Kent County, Michigan has a population that is comprised of 78 percent White, 9 percent African American, 2.1 percent Asian, and 8.9 percent Hispanic. The population mix can be considered to have a high amount of racial and ethnic diversity, with 20.0 percent of minorities in the 2005 population base. This is less than the State of Michigan percent of 20.2. Since 2000, Kent has increased the percent of minority population when 17.7 percent of the people were minorities.

In the year 2005, the population division of U.S. Census Bureau estimates the median age in Kent County, Michigan to be 33.9 years of age. The median in Kent is less than the median age in the State of Michigan of 36.9. Since the year 2000, the area has witnessed an increase in the median, when the median age was 32.5 years old. With 27.6 percent of the 2005 population being comprised of individuals under the age of 18, Kent can be described as having a relatively high proportion of youths. The working age population group (18-64) has a medium-high presence of the 2005 population base, with 62 percent of the population falling in this age category. The retirement (65 and over) group makes up 10.3 percent of the total population in the area. Compared to other counties in the US, this represents a medium-low proportion of the population.

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

Employment Report for Kent County, Michigan -- Annual 2005 Industry Summary

Manufacturing since the year 2001 lost the most jobs in Kent County. The industry lost a total of 11,706 jobs, or 15.2 percent of employment in the sector. These losses made up 67.5 percent of all county employment losses since 2001.

Management of companies and enterprises is the industry with the largest establishments in Kent County, averaging 107 jobs per place of business. This is greater than the industry's average at the national level of 40 and greater than the State of Michigan average establishment size of 85 for the Management of companies and enterprises industry.

Educational services is the industry that has grown the most in terms of employment from 2001-2005 in Kent County, moving a total of 42.6 percent. This is greater than the national sector change of 13.8 percent. The State of Michigan underwent a employment change in the industry of 32.7 percent, during the period of 2001 to 2005.

In Kent County, Manufacturing, Educational services and Administrative and waste services have the highest US LQ in 2005. The Manufacturing sector in the county has a location quotient of 1.63. The percent of employment in the Manufacturing industry is 1.63 times more than the average percent in the United States, revealing signs that Kent specializes in Manufacturing.

In Kent County, Manufacturing, Health care and social assistance, and the Retail Trade sectors are the largest industries, in terms of total number of jobs in 2005. The Manufacturing is the largest employment industry and makes up 20.9 percent of total employment in the county, making up 65,136 employees. The Health care and social assistance and Retail Trade sectors account for 13.1 and 11.7 percent of the total jobs, respectively.







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