In Laurens County, jobs in the nonresidential building construction pay the highest wages

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People with jobs in the nonresidential building construction industry reported the top wages in Laurens County for the 2nd quarter of 2006. The average worker in the industry in Laurens County was paid an annual wage of $71,616 in 2006. The annual wage is greater than the industry wage rate in South Carolina of $51,260 and greater than then the wage for jobs in this industry at the United States Level of $52,169.

Other high-paying jobs in Laurens County, South Carolina may be found in utility system construction ($61,758), offices of physicians ($53,728), electronic markets and agents and brokers ($53,310) and motor vehicle parts manufacturing ($40,921) industries. Note: Clicking the Above Graphic Displays the Detailed 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.

Laurens County Wages have increased by 13.6% Since 2001

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Since 2001, industry wages increased in Laurens County, South Carolina by a total of 13.6%. This is less than the growth in industry wages for South Carolina and less 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.

Laurens County Industry Wages Lag Behind South Carolina, and Wages Lag Behind the United States

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Wages in all industries in Laurens County, South Carolina can be described as medium-low when analyzed with other 2nd quarter of 2006 County wages throughout the state. The average pay is 11 percent lower than the reported averages in the state of $32,813. 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.

Laurens County Five-Year Industry Employment Change

Total Five-Year Employment Growth in Laurens County

Of the industries (4-digit NAICS) in the area, the Employment services industry has grown the most with 617 employees finding new jobs in the industry. The employment growth in the Employment services industry makes up 50.9 percent of the total employment growth in Laurens County.

Top 5 Industries
1. Employment services (617 new jobs)
2. Community care facilities for the elderly (321 new jobs)
3. Other amusement and recreation industries (68 new jobs)
4. Electronic markets and agents and brokers (60 new jobs)
5. Other specialty trade contractors (34 new jobs)

In Laurens County, South Carolina, the entire sum of jobs in all industries overall has decreased by 1,711 jobs from mid-2001 to mid-2006.

Total Five-Year Employment Decline in Laurens County

From of the area's 4-digit NAICS industries, the Child day care services industry witnessed the largest drop in employment, losing a total of 194 jobs during the time period. The jobs lost in the Child day care services industry make up 20.2 percent of the jobs lost during the period in Laurens County, South Carolina.

Top 5 Industries
1. Child day care services (194 jobs lost)
2. Grocery stores (84 jobs lost)
3. Machine shops and threaded product mfg. (84 jobs lost)
4. Limited-service eating places (74 jobs lost)
5. Building material and supplies dealers (66 jobs lost)

Out of the 42 industries (4-digit NAICS) with sufficient data reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in each quarter, 26 described an expansion of jobs throughout the time period, while 16 industries reported a drop in employment.

Total industry employment has decreased by 10.7 percent from the reported values in 2001. These values are greater than growth in the State of South Carolina, which went through a gain of 3.2 percent since the 2nd Quarter of 2001. The losses the area experienced were greater than than the gain experienced overall in the US of 2.6 percent.

Laurens County Five-Year Percentage Growth in Employment

The Employment services industry has witnessed the largest percentage of employment expansion, increasing by 262.0 percent from 2001 (2nd quarter) to 2006 (2nd quarter). This industry sector in Laurens County has increased employment faster than the overall industry growth seen in the State of South Carolina, where the industry felt a gain of 14 percent. The Employment services industry in Laurens County outpaced the United States, which experienced a gained 4.1 percent of the employment in this industry.

Top 5 Industries
1. Employment services (262.0 percent gain)
2. Other amusement and recreation industries (211.5 percent gain)
3. Electronic markets and agents and brokers (158.4 percent gain)
4. Utility system construction (114.8 percent gain)
5. Community care facilities for the elderly (113.6 percent gain)

Laurens County Five-Year Percentage Decline in Employment

The Child day care services industry has lost the largest amount of employment in terms of percentage, losing 81.5 percent from 2001 (Q2) to 2006 (Q2). The losses of the area have declined faster than the industry has seen in the South Carolina, where the industry sector experienced a loss of 3.4 percent. The losses in the Child day care services industry in Laurens County outpaced the US in terms of percent of decline of industry employment. The US gained 7.8 in percent of workers in the Child day care services industry.

Top 5 Industries
1. Child day care services (81.5 percent decline)
2. Machine shops and threaded product mfg. (57.3 percent decline)
3. Building foundation and exterior contractors (56.8 percent decline)
4. Building material and supplies dealers (54.2 percent decline)
5. Architectural and engineering services (52.9 percent decline)

Laurens County One-Year Industry Employment Change

Of the 48 industries with industry data reported by the BLS in each quarter, 28 accounted an for increase in employment during the period and 19 industries reported a drop in employment.

In Laurens County, South Carolina, the entire sum of jobs in all industries overall has decreased by 446 jobs between mid-2005 and mid-2006.

Total One-Year Employment Decline in Laurens County

From of the area's 4-digit NAICS industries, the Employment services industry witnessed the largest drop in employment, losing a total of 264 jobs. The declines in the Employment services industry make up 44.6 percent of the jobs lost during the period in Laurens County, South Carolina.

Top 5 Industries
1. Employment services (264 jobs lost)
2. Grocery stores (28 jobs lost)
3. Building equipment contractors (27 jobs lost)
4. Unclassified (27 jobs lost)
5. Utility system construction (26 jobs lost)

Total One-Year Employment Growth in Laurens County

The Plywood and engineered wood product mfg. industry has added the most employment with 84 employees finding new jobs in the industry. The employment growth in the Plywood and engineered wood product mfg. industry makes up 34.7 percent of the total employment growth in Laurens County.

Top 5 Industries
1. Plywood and engineered wood product mfg. (84 new jobs)
2. Community care facilities for the elderly (22 new jobs)
3. Traveler accommodation (21 new jobs)
4. Services to buildings and dwellings (17 new jobs)
5. Machinery and supply merchant wholesalers (17 new jobs)

Laurens County One-Year Percentage Growth in Employment

The Household and institutional furniture mfg. industry has experienced the largest percentage growth, expanding by 27.3 percent from 2005 (2nd quarter) to 2006 (2nd quarter). This industry sector in Laurens County has added employment faster than the industry has grown in the State of South Carolina, where this industry saw a gain of 2.8 percent. The Household and institutional furniture mfg. industry in Laurens County outpaced the nation in terms of industry employment growth . During this period, the nation lost 1.1 percent in this industry.

Top 5 Industries
1. Household and institutional furniture mfg. (27.3 percent gain)
2. Clothing stores (27.1 percent gain)
3. Private households (25.5 percent gain)
4. Services to buildings and dwellings (24.2 percent gain)
5. Traveler accommodation (23.2 percent gain)

Employment for all industries has decreased by 3 percent since the 2nd Quarter figures of 2005. This change is greater than growth in South Carolina, experiencing a gain of 2.2 percent since the 2nd Quarter of 2005. The losses the area experienced were greater than than the gain felt at the national level of 2.0 percent.

Laurens County One-Year Percentage Decline in Employment

The Unclassified industry has lost the largest amount of employment in terms of percentage, losing 58.4 percent of the jobs from the 2nd quarter of 2005 to 2nd quarter of 2006. The losses of the area have declined faster than the industry sector has gone through in the South Carolina, where the industry felt a loss of 28.5 percent. The losses in the Unclassified industry in Laurens County outpaced the United States in terms of percentage decline of industry employment. In this period, the United States gained 12.1 percent in terms of employees in the Unclassified industry.

Top 5 Industries
1. Unclassified (58.4 percent decline)
2. Sporting goods and musical instrument stores (58.3 percent decline)
3. Building finishing contractors (36.6 percent decline)
4. Consumer goods rental (31.2 percent decline)
5. Utility system construction (31 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 Laurens County, South Carolina

The median household income in the area has declined from the values (adjusted for inflation) in 2000. The median has decreased to $34,751, posting a 12.5 percent decline. Laurens County, South Carolina, when comparing total percent of decline, ranks 5 of 20 counties in percent of decline for household income in South Carolina. Laurens County ranks 115 of 668 counties (or parishes) when comparing the decline in household income across the nation.

The rate of poverty in Laurens County, South Carolina has increased by 1.8 percent from the levels reported in the Decennial Census of 2000, moving from 14.3 percent to 16.1 percent.

In Laurens County, South Carolina White headed households reported household income (in 2005 Dollars) of $42,600 according to the 2000 Dencennial Census, which was 7.3 percent greater than the median in the year 2000. Hispanic headed households in Laurens County, South Carolina , as reported in 2000, had a median household income of $40,950, this income level is 3.1 percent greater than the median reported for all households in the area. The Asian householders in the area have reported their median household incomes at $57,200. This household income level is 44.1 percent greater than the reported median household income, in the area, for all households. The American Indian and Alaska Native headed households in Laurens County had a median household income level of $68,372, which was 72.2 percent greater than the areas median level for all households. Black or African American headed households had a median household income that was 22.9 percent less than the overall reported level in 2000, with a reported median of $30,612.

Contrasted against to other counties (or parishes) throughout the US, Laurens County, South Carolina can be recognized as having a medium-high poverty rate amongst the population, with a poverty rate of 14.3 percent of the population with family incomes below the 1999 poverty level. The Hispanic race/ethnicity population cohort, has the uppermost poverty rate with 35.6 percent of the people in 2000 living in poverty. The population that is aged Under 5 years have the largest percent of population in poverty in Laurens County, with 24.6 percent of this age group in the area living in poverty.

Compared to counties across the United States, Laurens County was reported to have a medium-high household income of $39,702 (2005 Dollars). The income level is 9.3 percent lower than the median income in State of South Carolina of $43,386 and the median household income is 23.8 percent lower than the median in the US, which is $49,133.

As the median household income witnessed a decline in the last five year in Laurens County, South Carolina, the Race/Ethnicity group that experienced the largest decline in median household income was the Asian category. This category saw a decline of 1165598.5 percent since the year 2000. The Hispanic population category was least influenced by the median household income decline in Laurens County, seeing a 0.5 percent decline in household income, since the reported levels in 2000.

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

Higher Education in Laurens County, South Carolina

Laurens County, South Carolina may to understood as having a moderately-educated population of the working age, with 11.6 percent of the population (+25) having received at least a Bachelors Degree, as reported in the Decennial Census of 2000. Laurens has a lower percent of population with this high education level than the State of South Carolina's proportion of 20.4 percent and a lower percent than the US proportion of 24.4 percent.

In Laurens County, South Carolina as reported in the 2000 Census, 13.8 percent of the White Alone, 5.2 percent of Black or African American, 39.6 percent of the Asian alone and 7.2 percent of the Hispanic or Latino population, over the age 25, has achieved at least a Bachelors Degree.

From the year 2000, Laurens has increased in the total percent of the over 25 population having a Bachelors Degree or Higher. This population group has grown by 1.4 percent to a total of 13 percent in 2005. According to the American Community Survey, the proportion of the population in 2005 with a BA or Higher is less than the 2005 State of South Carolina percent of 23 and less than the national percent of 27.2.

According to the 2000 Decennial Census in Laurens County, South Carolina, a high proportion of the male population in the area have reached the High School Diploma category, with 34.2 percent obtaining this level of education. The women in Laurens have attainment on average a lower level of higher education (Bachelors Degree or Higher) than the male population-- 11.6 percent (Men) versus 11.8 percent (Women). A high proportion of the female population in the area has reached the High School Diploma category, with 35.6 percent of the female population achieving this education level.

From 2000 to 2005, the percent of male population that is highly educated has increased by 0.8 percent. In the year 2005, 12.8 percent of area's male population, over the age 25, achieved a Bachelors Degree or Higher. At the same time, the percent of women, over the age 25, holding at least a Bachelors Degree has increased by a total of 1.4 percent. By the year 2005, a total of 13.2 percent of the female population had achieved this level of education.

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

Demographic Profile for Laurens County, South Carolina

Laurens County, South Carolina had a population of 70,293 for the year 2005. The total population has increased, from the population in the year 2000 of 69,667. This growth signifies an increase of 0.9 percent. Laurens ranks 28 of 46 counties when analyzing total population change in South Carolina and the county ranks 1,311 of 3,141 counties when analyzing total county population change across the nation.

When measuring the total land area, Laurens spans a total area of 715 square miles. The land areas has a medium-low average area density of 98 persons per square mile, in 2005. Other US counties with similar densities include: -- more densely populated -- Des Moines, IA (98 per sq. mile ), Hunt, TX (98 per sq. mile ), Holmes, OH (98 per sq. mile ), -- less densely populated -- Hancock, MS (98 per sq. mile ), Washington, OH (98 per sq. mile ), San Bernardino, CA (98 per sq. mile ).

The population division of the Census Bureau estimates in 2005 a median age in Laurens County, South Carolina to be 37.6 years of age. The median in Laurens is greater than the median age in South Carolina of 37.1. Since 2000, the area has experienced an increase in the median, when the median age was 36.3 years of age. With a total of 23.9 percent of the population in 2005 being comprised of children and youth younger than 18, Laurens can be described as having a medium-high proportion of youths. The working age population group (18-64) has a medium-high presence of the population, with 63 percent of the population within the age category. People 65 years old and older make up 13.1 percent of the population in the area. When compared to other counties throughout the United States, this represents a medium-low percent of the population.

Since the year 2000, a medium-high number of individual migrated to the Laurens internationally. The migration from outside the US into Laurens accounts for 1.3 percent of the total international migration into the State of South Carolina. This amount of international migration is medium-high when analyzed against immigration per population in 2005.

Laurens County, South Carolina has a population that is made of 70.6 percent White, 25.6 percent African American, 0.2 percent Asian, and 3 percent Hispanic. The population mix can be considered to have a high level of racial and ethnic diversity, with 28.8 percent minorities. This is less than the State of South Carolina percent of 33.4. Since 2000, Laurens has increased the level of diversity when 28.3 percent of the people were minorities.

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

Housing Report for Laurens County, South Carolina

When compared to other counties in South Carolina, Laurens County places 34 of 46 by percentage growth in residential real estate. The county is positioned 2,448 of 3,141, compared to change in residential structure growth in counties throughout the Unities States.

In Laurens County, there were a total of 31,239 homes in the year 2005. This county has gone through a growth in housing units, adding all together 404 residential units since 2001, or 1.3 percent.

The residential real estate values in Laurens County, South Carolina have small increases since their reported values in 2000. The values have increased by $6,500, or 8.7 percent, since 2000 when they were valued at $74,800.

Laurens County may be be described as having a medium proportion of high-valued homes. In 2005, the American Community Survey reported that 1.2 percent of the houses are valued over a half a million dollars.

Laurens County recorded median owner-occupied home value in the year 2005 of $81,300, accounted by the American Community Survey. This is less than the South Carolina 2005 home median value of $113,100 and less than median home value of $167,500 for the United States in the same year.

It can be understood that there is a large amount affordable residential real estate in Laurens County, South Carolina. In 2005, 71.2 percent of the homes were valued under $125,000.

Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Employment Report for Laurens County, South Carolina -- Annual 2005 Industry Summary

Transportation and Warehousing has the largest employers in Laurens County. The industry averages 61 jobs per place of business. This is greater than the US industry average of 19 and greater than the State of South Carolina establishments size average of 16 for the Transportation and Warehousing industry.

In Laurens County, Transportation and Warehousing, Manufacturing and Administrative and waste services have the highest US LQ in 2005. The Transportation and Warehousing sector has a United State LQ of 2.41. The level of employment in the Transportation and Warehousing sector is 2.41 times more than the average percent in the United States, revealing signs that Laurens may be an exporter of products or services of Transportation and Warehousing.

In Laurens County, Manufacturing, Retail Trade, and the Transportation and Warehousing industries are the largest employment industries. The Manufacturing is the major employer in the county making up 30.8 percent of all jobs throughout the county, totaling 4,454 individuals. The Retail Trade and Transportation and Warehousing industries make up 10.5 and 8.9 percent of all employment.

Manufacturing since the year 2001 was faced with the largest loss in employment in Laurens County. The industry was hit with a loss of 1,440 employees during the period, or 24.4 percent of industry's employment. The industry declines made up 71.4 percent of all county employment losses since 2001.

The Manufacturing industry has decreased the most in industries presence in Laurens County, since the year 2001, moving from making up 38.1 percent of employment in 2001 to 30.8 percent of total employment in the year 2005.

Administrative and waste services saw the biggest increase in jobs since the year 2001 in Laurens County, with a job growth of 226.4 percent. This is greater than the change in industry employment in the United States of 4.5 percent. The State of South Carolina felt a shift in employment in the industry of 9.7 percent, in the course of time since 2001.





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