In Whatcom County, jobs in the petroleum and coal products manufacturing pay the highest wages

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Employment in the petroleum and coal products manufacturing industry wages were the highest in Whatcom County for the 2nd quarter of 2006. The average worker in the industry in Whatcom County earned an annual wage of $100,692 in 2006. The annual wage is greater than the industry wage in Washington of $94,199 and greater than then the pay for jobs in this industry across the nation of $82,200.

Other high-paying jobs in Whatcom County, Washington are present in securities and commodity contracts brokerage ($97,776), electric goods merchant wholesalers ($63,244), architectural and engineering services ($62,474) and chemical merchant wholesalers ($61,540) 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.

Whatcom County Wages have increased by 11.2% Since 2001

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Industry wages, from 2001 to 2006, have increased in Whatcom County, Washington by a total of 11.2%. This is greater than the growth in average industry wages for 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.

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

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Total wages in all industries in Whatcom County, Washington when analyzed can be understood as being medium-high when analyzed with other Counties in the state. The overall wages are 26.3 percent lower than the reported averages in the state of $41,025. The average 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.

Whatcom County Five-Year Industry Employment Change

Whatcom County Five-Year Percentage Growth in Employment

The Special food services industry has experienced the largest percentage growth, expanding by 849.3 percent from the 2001 (Q2) to the 2006 (Q2). This industry in Whatcom County has added employment faster than the industry has grown in the State of Washington, where this industry saw a gain of 25.2 percent. The Special food services industry in Whatcom County outpaced the national average, which felt a gained 5.3 percent of the employment in this industry.

Top 5 Industries
1. Special food services (849.3 percent gain)
2. Software publishers (287.2 percent gain)
3. Other miscellaneous manufacturing (236.2 percent gain)
4. Druggists' goods merchant wholesalers (211.8 percent gain)
5. Office administrative services (211.6 percent gain)

Whatcom County Five-Year Percentage Decline in Employment

The Specialized design services industry has lost the largest amount of employment in terms of percentage, losing 64.9 percent of the jobs from 2001 to 2006. These have declined faster than the industry has experienced in the State of Washington, where the industry sector experienced a loss of 1.9 percent. The losses in the Specialized design services industry in Whatcom County outpaced the United States in terms of percentage decline of industry employment. In this period, the United States gained 4.5 percent in terms of employment in the Specialized design services industry.

Top 5 Industries
1. Specialized design services (64.9 percent decline)
2. Bakeries and tortilla manufacturing (56.6 percent decline)
3. Nondepository credit intermediation (50.1 percent decline)
4. Printing and related support activities (45.6 percent decline)
5. Specialized freight trucking (38.9 percent decline)

The total number of jobs has increased by 16.6 percent from 2001 (2nd Quarter). These figures are greater than growth in Washington, experiencing a gain of 5.3 percent from 2001 (2nd Quarter). The gains the area experienced were greater than than the gain experienced overall in the US of 2.6 percent.

From the 140 4-digit NAICS industries, 37 accounted an for increase in employment during the period and 103 industries reported a drop in employment.

In Whatcom County, Washington, the aggregate employment for all industry sectors has increased by 9,411 total jobs from 2001 to 2006.

Total Five-Year Employment Growth in Whatcom County

The Limited-service eating places industry has grown the most with 703 employees finding new jobs in the industry. The employment growth in the Limited-service eating places industry makes up 6.3 percent of the total employment growth in Whatcom County.

Top 5 Industries
1. Limited-service eating places (703 new jobs)
2. Special food services (637 new jobs)
3. Offices of physicians (568 new jobs)
4. Residential building construction (466 new jobs)
5. Building finishing contractors (434 new jobs)

Total Five-Year Employment Decline in Whatcom County

From of the area's 4-digit NAICS industries, the Employment services industry has lost the most employment with a total loss of 236 jobs. The declines in the Employment services industry make up 12.8 percent of the total employment decline in Whatcom County, Washington.

Top 5 Industries
1. Employment services (236 jobs lost)
2. Professional and similar organizations (175 jobs lost)
3. Seafood product preparation and packaging (146 jobs lost)
4. Bakeries and tortilla manufacturing (128 jobs lost)
5. Gasoline stations (124 jobs lost)





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.

Income and Poverty in Whatcom County, Washington

Evaluated with other counties (or parishes) across the nation, Whatcom County, Washington can be recognized as having a medium-high rate of poverty among the people, accounting a rate of 14.2 percent of the individuals existing in families with incomes under the poverty level in 1999. The Black or African American race/ethnicity population category, holds the highest rate of poverty with 29.5 percent of the 2000 residents living in poverty. People aged 5 years are witness to the most percent living in poverty in Whatcom County, reporting 21.3 percent of this demographic group living with incomes under poverty.

While household income level experienced a decline in the last five year in Whatcom County, Washington, the Race/Ethnicity group that went through the most dramatic decline in median income was the American Indian and Alaska Native category. This group felt a decline of 27.2 percent since 2000. The Asian population group was least impacted by the household income decline in Whatcom County, seeing a 9.7 percent increase in median household income from 2000 to 2005.

The areas median household income has declined from the values (adjusted for inflation) in 2000. The median has decreased to $44,248, posting a 5.5 percent decline. Whatcom County, Washington, when analyzing percentage of decline, ranks 13 of 16 counties in percent of decline for income levels in the State of Washington. Whatcom County ranks 439 of 668 counties (or parishes) when comparing total percent of decline in household income across the nation.

Black or African American headed households had median income levels that were 7.4 percent less than the all population median published in the 2000 Census, with a median of $43,326. In Whatcom County, Washington White householders had a median household income (in 2005 Dollars) of $47,556 according to the 2000 Dencennial Census, which was 1.6 percent greater than the median income in 2000. The American Indian and Alaska Native householders in Whatcom County had a median income of $37,318, which was 20.3 percent less than the areas median level for all households. Hispanic Householders in Whatcom County, Washington reported a median household income of $36,192, this median household income is 22.7 percent less than the median reported for all households in the area. According to the 2000 Census, the Asian headed households in the area have median household incomes of $36,406. This income level is 22.2 percent less than the all households reported median in the area.

Compared to counties across the United States, Whatcom County had a relatively high median income for households of $46,806 (Adjusted to 2005 Dollars). This figure is 14.4 percent lower than the median in State of Washington of $53,558 and this is 5 percent lower than the median household income in the United States of $49,133.

The rate of poverty in Whatcom County, Washington has declined by 0.5 percent from the levels reported in the Decennial Census of 2000, moving from 14.2 percent to 13.7 percent.

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

Higher Education in Whatcom County, Washington

Whatcom County, Washington can be considered to have a highly-educated working age population, with 27.2 percent of the population over 25 years old having received at least a Bachelors Degree, according to the Decennial Census of 2000. Whatcom has a lower percent of individuals with higher educations than the State of Washington's proportion of 27.8 percent and a higher percent than United States proportion of 24.4 percent.

From the year 2000, Whatcom 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 5.0 percent to a total of 32.2 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 Washington percent of 30.2 and greater than the United States percent of 27.2.

In 2000, the Census reported that in Whatcom County, Washington, many men in the area have reached the Some College or Associates Degree category, with 30.8 percent reaching this education level. The female population in Whatcom on average have achieved a lower level of higher education (Bachelors or Higher) than men -- 28.6 percent (Men) versus 26 percent (Women). Many of the women in the area have achieved the Some College or Associates Degree category, with 34.4 percent of the women population in the area achieving this level of education.

In Whatcom County, Washington as reported in the Census of the year 2000, 28.2 percent of the White Alone, 26.6 percent of Black or African American, 31 percent of the Asian alone and 12.4 percent of the Hispanic or Latino population, over the age 25, has achieved at least a Bachelors Degree.

From 2000 to 2005, the percent of male population that is highly educated has increased by 3.2 percent. In the year 2005, 32.2 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 6.2 percent. By 2005, a total of 32.2 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 Whatcom County, Washington

When measuring the total land area, Whatcom spans a total area of 2120 total square miles. The area has a medium-low average area density of 87 persons per square mile, in 2005. Similar counties, in terms of density, in the US include: -- more densely populated -- Lancaster, VA (87 per sq. mile ), Lee, GA (87 per sq. mile ), Whiteside, IL (87 per sq. mile ), -- less densely populated -- Dale, AL (87 per sq. mile ), Muskogee, OK (87 per sq. mile ), Pottawatomie, OK (87 per sq. mile ).

Whatcom County, Washington has a population that is made up of 85.2 percent White, 0.7 percent African American, 3.3 percent Asian, and 5.9 percent Hispanic. The area population base can be described as having a modest level of racial and ethnic diversity, with 9.9 percent minorities. This is less than the State of Washington percent of 18.3. Since 2000, Whatcom has increased in diversity when 8.7 percent of the total population were minorities.

Whatcom County, Washington had an estimated population of 183,471 for the year 2005. The total population has increased sharply, since the 2000 total population of 167,631. This growth shows an increase of 9.4 percent. Whatcom ranks 7 of 39 counties when calculating total change in population for Washington and the county ranks 231 of 3,141 counties when calculating the total change in county population across the US.

Since 2000, a high number of individual migrated to the Whatcom from another country. The international migration into Whatcom accounts for 2.6 percent of the total international migration into the State of Washington. This percent of immigration can be considered high when analyzed against immigration per population in 2005.

The U.S. Census Bureau, in the year 2005, estimated a median age in Whatcom County, Washington to be 34.9 years of age. The median in Whatcom is less than the median age for the State of Washington of 36.7. Since 2000, the area has experienced an increase in the median, when the median age was 34.1 years of age. With a total of 21.5 percent of the population in 2005 being comprised of children and youth younger than 18, Whatcom can be understood as being made up of a medium-low percent of individuals under 18. The working age population group (18-64) has a relatively high representation within the estimated 2005 area population, making up 66.3 percent of the population makes up this age category. The retirement (65 and over) age group comprises 12.2 percent of the population. When compared to other counties in the United States, this represents a medium-low proportion of the area population base.

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

Housing Report for Whatcom County, Washington

In Whatcom County, there were a total of 82,934 housing structures in 2005. The area has seen growth in housing units, adding in all 7,112 residential units since 2001, or 9.4 percent.

In the State of Washington, Whatcom County ranks 3 of 39 in terms of percentage growth in new housing structures. The county ranks 339 of 3,141, when comparing thee change in housing structures in counties throughout the nation.

Whatcom County recorded median owner-occupied home value in the year 2005 of $248,400, published by the American Community Survey. This median is greater than the State of Washington 2005 home value of $227,700 and greater than median owner-occupied dwelling value of $167,500 across the nation during that year.

Whatcom County can be understood as having a relatively high percentage of homes that are high in price. In 2005, the American Community Survey reports that 10.7 percent of the homes were valued over $500,000.

There is a limited amount of real estate that is affordable in Whatcom County, Washington. In 2005, 9.6 percent of housing was valued under $125k.

The residential housing values in Whatcom County, Washington have seen large increases from the housing values in 2000. The residential values have increased by $92,700, or 59.5 percent, from when in 2000 they were valued at $155,700.

Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau

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

In Whatcom County, Retail Trade, Health care and social assistance, and the Manufacturing industries have the largest percent of jobs of all industries. The Retail Trade is the largest employment industry and makes up 15.4 percent of total employment in the county, making up 10,010 jobs. The Health care and social assistance and Manufacturing sectors account for 12.9 and 12.8 percent of all employment.

Mining is the industry that has seen the largest increase in jobs from the year 2001 to the present in Whatcom County, with an industry growth of 52.9 percent. This is greater than the change in industry employment in the United States of 4.7 percent. The State of Washington experienced a change in employment in the sector of -0.3 percent, in the duration of 2001 to 2005.

Mining has the largest businesses in Whatcom County, averaging 33 jobs per place of business. This is greater than the industry's national average of 21 and greater than the State of Washington average establishment size of 19 for the Mining industry.

In Whatcom County, Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, Construction and Arts, entertainment, and recreation are the three industries with the highest location quotients. The Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting industry has an LQ of 4.22. In other words, the percent of total jobs in the Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting sector is 4.22 times the percent of the national average, This signifies that Whatcom specializes in Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting.









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