In Skagit County, jobs in the securities and commodity contracts brokerage pay the highest wages

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People with jobs in the securities and commodity contracts brokerage industry wages were the highest in Skagit County for 2006. The average industry job in Skagit County was paid an annual wage of $87,154 in 2nd quarter of 2006. The pay is less than the industry wage rate in Washington of $110,741 and less than then the pay for jobs in this industry in the United States of $138,150.

Top-pay jobs in Skagit County, Washington are present in utility system construction ($68,048), scientific research and development services ($65,826), commercial equip. merchant wholesalers ($58,042) and sawmills and wood preservation ($56,772) 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.

Skagit County Wages have increased by 15.8% Since 2001

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Industry wages, from 2001 to 2006, have increased in Skagit County, Washington by a total of 15.8%. This is greater than the growth in industry wages for the State of Washington 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.

Skagit County Industry Wages Lag Behind Washington, and Wages Lag Behind the United States

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The average total wages in all industries in Skagit County, Washington when analyzed can be understood as being medium-high when analyzed with other 2nd quarter of 2006 County wages throughout the state. The average pay is 25.6 percent lower than the with an state average of $41,025. The overall industry wage 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.

Skagit County Five-Year Industry Employment Change

Skagit County Five-Year Percentage Decline in Employment

The Computer systems design and related services industry has lost the largest percent of jobs, losing 83.3 percent of the jobs from the 2nd quarter of 2001 to 2nd quarter of 2006. The losses of the area have declined faster than the industry has seen in the Washington, where the industry felt a loss of 11.1 percent. The losses in the Computer systems design and related services industry in Skagit County outpaced the United States industry losses overall. During this period, the United States lost 3.1 in percent of jobs in the Computer systems design and related services industry.

Top 5 Industries
1. Computer systems design and related services (83.3 percent decline)
2. Travel arrangement and reservation services (63.4 percent decline)
3. Independent artists, writers, and performers (57.5 percent decline)
4. Greenhouse and nursery production (40.9 percent decline)
5. Florists (31.6 percent decline)

Skagit County Five-Year Percentage Growth in Employment

The Support activities for crop production industry has gone through the largest job growth by percent, increasing by 262.5 percent from 2001 (2nd quarter) to 2006 (2nd quarter). This industry sector in Skagit County has increased employment faster than the overall industry growth seen in the State of Washington, where the industry felt a gain of 31 percent. The Support activities for crop production industry in Skagit County outpaced the nation in terms of industry employment growth . During this period, the nation lost 1.4 percent of the employment in this industry.

Top 5 Industries
1. Support activities for crop production (262.5 percent gain)
2. Beer, wine, and liquor stores (175.0 percent gain)
3. Other animal production (159.1 percent gain)
4. Plastics product manufacturing (148.6 percent gain)
5. Lumber and const. supply merchant wholesalers (146.2 percent gain)

The total number of jobs has increased by 8.4 percent from the reported values in 2001. These values are greater than growth in Washington, which saw a gain of 5.3 percent from the 2nd Quarter of 2001. The gains felt were greater than than the gain felt at the national level of 2.6 percent.

From the 120 industries (4-digit NAICS) with sufficient data reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in each quarter, 38 showed an escalation in the number employed, while 81 industry sectors accounting for employment declines during that time period.

Total Five-Year Employment Decline in Skagit County

Given the industries in the area, the Greenhouse and nursery production industry witnessed the largest drop in employment, losing a total of 675 jobs during the period. The employment lost in the Greenhouse and nursery production industry make up 41.1 percent of the employment lost during the period in Skagit County, Washington.

Top 5 Industries
1. Greenhouse and nursery production (675 jobs lost)
2. Computer systems design and related services (188 jobs lost)
3. Limited-service eating places (175 jobs lost)
4. Sawmills and wood preservation (71 jobs lost)
5. Grocery and Related Product Wholesalers (70 jobs lost)

In Skagit County, Washington, the total number of workers for all sectors has increased by 2,924 jobs between mid-2001 and mid-2006.

Total Five-Year Employment Growth in Skagit County

The Other general merchandise stores industry has grown the most with 349 total jobs brought in during the period. The growth in the Other general merchandise stores industry makes up 6.8 percent of the growth in Skagit County.

Top 5 Industries
1. Other general merchandise stores (349 new jobs)
2. Residential building construction (291 new jobs)
3. Nonresidential building construction (263 new jobs)
4. Insurance carriers (213 new jobs)
5. Ship and boat building (190 new jobs)





About: This report is part 2 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.

1-Year Industry Employment Change in Skagit County, Washington

Total 1-Year Employment Decline in Skagit County

From of the area's 4-digit NAICS industries, the Department stores industry witnessed the largest drop in employment, losing a total of 272 jobs during the time period. The jobs lost in the Department stores industry make up 15.4 percent of the employment lost during the period in Skagit County, Washington.

Top 5 Industries
1. Department stores (272 jobs lost)
2. Vegetable and melon farming (246 jobs lost)
3. Limited-service eating places (154 jobs lost)
4. Other amusement and recreation industries (97 jobs lost)
5. Clothing stores (94 jobs lost)

Given the 136 industry sectors (4-digit NAICS) with employment figures reported by the BLS in each quarter, 68 reported job growth in the duration of the year and 66 industry sectors accounting for employment declines during that time period.

Total 1-Year Employment Growth in Skagit County

Of the industries (4-digit NAICS) in the area, the Other general merchandise stores industry has added the most employment with 307 employees finding new jobs in the industry. The employment growth in the Other general merchandise stores industry makes up 19.9 percent of the growth in Skagit County.

Top 5 Industries
1. Other general merchandise stores (307 new jobs)
2. Nonresidential building construction (183 new jobs)
3. Building material and supplies dealers (121 new jobs)
4. Accounting and bookkeeping services (77 new jobs)
5. Jewelry, luggage, and leather goods stores (62 new jobs)

In Skagit County, Washington, the aggregate employment for all industry sectors has decreased by 587 jobs between mid-2005 and mid-2006.

Skagit County 1-year Percentage Decline in Employment

The Software publishers industry has lost the biggest percent of jobs, losing 76.6 percent of the jobs from 2005 to 2006. These have declined faster than the industry has experienced in the State of Washington, where the industry felt a gain of 8.4 percent. The losses in the Software publishers industry in Skagit County outpaced the US in terms of percent of decline of industry employment. The US gained 2.5 in percent of workers in the Software publishers industry.

Top 5 Industries
1. Software publishers (76.6 percent decline)
2. Other fabricated metal product manufacturing (66.1 percent decline)
3. Machinery and equipment rental and leasing (46.7 percent decline)
4. Land subdivision (39.8 percent decline)
5. Aerospace product and parts manufacturing (39.1 percent decline)

The total number of jobs has decreased by 2.5 percent since the 2nd Quarter of 2005. This is less than growth in the State of Washington, experiencing a gain of 3.6 percent from the 2nd Quarter of 2005. The losses in the area were less than than the gain experienced overall in the US of 2.0 percent.

Skagit County 1-year Percentage Growth in Employment

The Jewelry, luggage, and leather goods stores industry has experienced the largest percentage growth, expanding by 112.7 percent from the 2005 (Q2) to the 2006 (Q2). This industry in Skagit County has expanded faster than the industry job growth experienced in Washington, where the industry felt a loss of 0.5 percent. The Jewelry, luggage, and leather goods stores industry in Skagit County outpaced the United States, which experienced a lost 0.3 percent of the employment in this industry.

Top 5 Industries
1. Jewelry, luggage, and leather goods stores (112.7 percent gain)
2. Other heavy construction (73.3 percent gain)
3. Other general merchandise stores (63.5 percent gain)
4. Motor vehicle and parts merchant wholesalers (63.0 percent gain)
5. Nonresidential building construction (56.1 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).

Income and Poverty in Skagit County, Washington

The poverty rate in Skagit County, Washington has increased by 3.4 percent since the amounts published in 2000, moving from 11.1 percent to 14.5 percent.

When put side-by-side with other counties (or parishes) throughout the United States, Skagit County, Washington may be understood as having a medium-low poverty rate amongst the population, with a poverty rate of 11.1 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 35.7 percent of the people in 2000 living in poverty. The population that is aged Under 5 years are experiencing most percent people in poverty in Skagit County, accounting 18.3 percent of this age cohort living in poverty.

Black or African American headed households had a median household income that was 7.6 percent less than the total 2000 reported median, with a their median reported to be $45,803. Hispanic households in Skagit County, Washington reported a median household income of $37,198, this income level is 25 percent less than the reported median household income for all households in the area. The Asian headed households reported median household incomes of $33,820. This income level is 31.8 percent less than the reported median for all households in the area. The American Indian and Alaska Native households in Skagit County had a median income of $38,067, which was 23.2 percent less than the areas median level for all households. In Skagit County, Washington White householders had a median household income (in 2005 Dollars) of $51,086 according to the Decennial Census of 2000, which was 3 percent greater than the median in 2000.

While household income level experienced a decline during the period of 2000 to 2005 in Skagit County, Washington, the Race/Ethnicity group that went through the most dramatic decline in the household income level was the Hispanic category. This category saw a decline of 15.4 percent since the year 2000. The Asian Race/Ethnicity group has been least impacted by the median income decline in Skagit County, experiencing a 91.1 percent increase in median household income from 2000 to 2005.

The areas median household income has declined a small amount from the inflation-adjusted 2000 income levels. The income level has decreased to $48,773, which represents a 1.6 percent decline. Skagit County, Washington, in terms of percentage of decline, ranks 16 of 16 counties in percent of decline for the household income level in the State of Washington. Skagit County ranks 623 of 668 counties (or parishes) when comparing the decline in median income in the US.

When compared to other counties (and parishes) throughout the United States, Skagit County had a relatively high median household income of $49,586 (Adjusted to 2005 Dollars). This is 8 percent lower than the median income in State of Washington of $53,558 and this is 0.9 percent higher than the median in the US, which is $49,133.

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

Higher Education in Skagit County, Washington

In 2000, the Census reported that in Skagit County, Washington, the largest educational attainment category for men is the Some College or Associates Degree category, with 35.6 percent receiving this level of education. The women in Skagit have attainment on average a lower level of higher education (Bachelors or Higher) than the men in the area: 21.2 percent (Men) versus 20.4 percent (Women). The most common level of education for women in the area is Some College or Associates Degree category, with 38 percent of the female population achieving this education level.

Between 2000 and 2005, the percent of the male population that can be understood as highly educated has increased by 2.2 percent. By 2005, 23.2 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 1.6 percent. By 2005, a total of 22 percent of the total female population achieved this high level of education.

Since the year 2000, Skagit has increased in the percent of the total population (+25) with a BA or Higher. The portion of this population has grown by 1.8 percent to a total of 22.6 percent in 2005. The American Community Survey reports that the proportion of the 2005 population that is highly educated is less than the 2005 State of Washington percent of 30.2 and less than the US percent of 27.2.

In Skagit County, Washington as reported in the Census of the year 2000, 21.8 percent of the White Alone, 20.6 percent of Black or African American, 35.2 percent of the Asian alone and 3.8 percent of the Hispanic or Latino population, over the age 25, has achieved a Bachelors Degree or Higher.

Skagit County, Washington is made up of a highly-educated 2000 population, with 20.8 percent of the over 25 years old population having a Bachelors Degree or Higher, according to the 2000 Decennial Census. Skagit counted a lower percent of highly educated individuals than the State of Washington's proportion of 27.8 percent and a lower percent than the national average of 24.4 percent.

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

Demographic Profile for Skagit County, Washington

Skagit County, Washington had a population that was estimated at 113,171 in the year 2005. The population has increased sharply, from the population in the year 2000 of 103,488. This growth represents an increase of 9.4 percent. Skagit ranks 10 of 39 counties by growth in total population in Washington and the county ranks 325 of 3,141 counties when calculating the total change in county population across the US.

Since the year 2000, a high number of individual migrated to the Skagit internationally. The migration from outside the US into Skagit accounts for 1.7 percent of the total migration into the State of Washington. This level of international migration can be considered high when compared to international migration per 2005 population.

Skagit County, Washington has a population that is made up of 81.3 percent White, 0.6 percent African American, 1.7 percent Asian, and 13 percent Hispanic. The area can be described as having a high level of racial and ethnic diversity, with 15.3 percent minorities. This is less than the State of Washington percent of 18.3. Since 2000, Skagit has increased in diversity when 13.1 percent of the total population were minorities.

In the year 2005, the population division of U.S. Census Bureau estimates the median age in Skagit County, Washington to be 37.4 years old. The median age in Skagit is greater than the median age in Washington of 36.7. From 2000, the area has seen an increase in the median age, at that time the median was 37.3 years old. With 23.5 percent of the 2005 population being comprised of individuals under the age of 18, Skagit can be described as being made up of a medium-high proportion of youths. The 18 to 64 years old population group has a medium-low presence of the population, with 62 percent of the population makes up this age category. The retirement (65 and over) age group comprises 14.5 percent of the total population base. Compared to other counties throughout the nation, this represents a medium-low proportion of the population.

By measuring total land area, Skagit encompasses a total area of 1735 total square miles. The area has a medium-low average area density of 65 persons per square mile, in 2005. Similar counties, in terms of density, in the US include: -- more densely populated -- Valencia, NM (65 per sq. mile ), Northampton, VA (65 per sq. mile ), Coshocton, OH (65 per sq. mile ), -- less densely populated -- Pearl River, MS (65 per sq. mile ), Amador, CA (65 per sq. mile ), Liberty, TX (65 per sq. mile ).

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

Housing Report for Skagit County, Washington

In Skagit County, the real estate market was made up of 46,476 housing structures in 2005. The area has seen growth in housing units, adding a sum of 3,007 residential units since 2001, or 6.9 percent.

The residential real estate values in Skagit County, Washington have seen large increases from the real estate values reported in 2000. The valuations have increased by $61,200, or 38.7 percent, since 2000 when they were valued at $158,100.

The State of Washington, Skagit County is positioned 11 of 39 in terms of percentage growth in new housing structures. The county ranks 545 of 3,141, when comparing thee change in housing structures in counties throughout the nation.

Skagit County recorded a median home value in 2005 of $219,300, accounted by the American Community Survey. This home value is less than the State of Washington 2005 home value of $227,700 and greater than median home value of $167,500 for the rest of the nation in that year.

According to the data, there is a limited amount affordable residential real estate in Skagit County, Washington. In 2005, 12.6 percent of residential real estate was valued under $125,000.

Skagit County has a relatively high proportion of high-valued homes. In 2005, the American Community Survey counted that 8.3 percent owner-occupied dwelling are valued over a half a million dollars.

Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Employment Report for Skagit County, Washington -- Annual 2005 Industry Summary

Mining has had the highest level of job growth from 2001-2005 in Skagit County, with a job growth of 58.8 percent. This is greater than the industry employment change in the United States of 4.7 percent. The State of Washington underwent a employment change in the industry of -0.3 percent, in the course of time since 2001.

Manufacturing has the largest employers in Skagit County. In the County, the industry averages 30 workers per each place of employment, being less than the industry's national average of 39 and less than the State of Washington establishments size average of 36 for the Manufacturing industry.

In Skagit County, Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, Retail Trade and Construction are the three industries with the highest location quotients. The Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting sector in the county has a location quotient of 8.14. The percent of employment in the Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting industry is 8.14 times the percent of the national average, This signifies that Skagit specializes in Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting.

In Skagit County, Retail Trade, Manufacturing, and the Health care and social assistance sectors are the largest industries, in terms of total number of jobs in 2005. The Retail Trade is the major employer in the county making up 19.8 percent of total employment in the county, making up 7,259 individuals. The Manufacturing and Health care and social assistance sectors account for 13.9 and 11.6 percent of industry employment.

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting between the years 2001 and 2005, saw the greatest loss in employment in Skagit County. The industry was hit with a loss of 352 total jobs during the period, accounting for 10.1 percent of the employment in the industry. This made up a total of 40.9 percent of all employment losses in the county.







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