Ed Simon(302) 672-6845

edward.simon@state.de.us

October 2015

Sussex Demographic and Labor Market Trends

Quick Facts

Introduction

The economy and job market in Sussex has shown improvement in recent years. With low taxes and a favorable climate, Sussex has continued to be a popular county for both tourists and retirees. Our demographics have spurred job growth in many service industries. Overall our industry and occupational patterns are more diverse than what many people think. Sussex does have numerous industries and occupations that pay well above the average.

Sussex Overview

Sussex job growth continues to rise Growth rate has been faster than DE and US

Last five years – Sussex had a net gain of 5,000 jobs, about 8% growth.

Job gains have been broad based with gains in nearly all sectors

Unemployment Substantial improvement in recent years

Sussex Unemployment rate: 2010, 8.5%; 2015, 4.5%

Tourism – Continues to grow $1,636.7 (Millions of $) Sussex Expenditures; 39% of

the State total

Overview (Continued)

Real Estate Existing home sales for 2015 are well ahead of

the same period for 2014

2,049 homes were sold during the first half of 2015, an increase of 49% over the same period of 2014

Thus far in 2015 building permits for single family homes in Sussex is keeping pace with what occurred in 2014

Agriculture (Latest county data is from the 2012 Census of Agriculture)

Market Value (Sussex) $921 Million

Sussex #1 broiler producing county in U.S.

During the past couple of years the rates are showing major improvement.

Unemployment Trend

Year Sussex DE US

2010 8.5% 8.4% 9.6%

2011 7.7% 7.5% 8.9%

2012 7.3% 7.2% 8.1%

2013 6.8% 6.7% 7.4%

2014 5.7% 5.7% 6.2%

2015 Est 4.5% 4.7% 5.3%

Source: U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

-5

0

5

10

15

20

25

'02 '03 '04 '05 '06 '07 '08 '09 '10 '11 '12 '13 '14 '15

% C

ha

ng

e

Sussex

Delaware

U.S.

Sussex Jobs Are Increasing

Source: U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

Sussex Trends: Jobs grew faster at first and then declined more slowly. During the past few years Sussex has had modest job growth.

2002 Base Year

Agriculture in Sussex

Sussex has more acres of farm land than New Castle and Kent combined.

From 2007 to 2012 the number of farms declined from 1,374 to 1,214; but average size of farms rose from 196 acres to 224 acres.

From 2007 to 2012 farm acreage is Sussex rose slightly -from 269,464 to 272,232 acres.

The market value of Agr. Products sold was $921 million

Sussex County is the number one broiler producing county in the U.S. Source: 2012 Census of Agriculture.

Poultry is our #1 farm commodity representing over 70% of Sussex Market value of Agr. Products sold.

In the Delmarva Peninsula, Sussex remains as a key leader in the production of Soybeans, corn and wheat.

Market Value of Agr. Products Sold -$921 Million in Sussex

Source: 2012 Census of Agriculture

$249 Million – Crops

$672 Million – Livestock, Poultry

Poultry and Eggs represent about 71%

Of total Agr. Products sold in Sussex

People

Demographic Trends

I’ve included some charts with population data. I can provide additional or alternative data if you wish.

In an Average Month in Sussex . . .

192 Persons are born

195 Persons die

327 Persons move here from another area

Source: U.S. Census Bureau (7/13 to 7/14)

Sussex Population Growth is Steady(Annual Change)

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Net Migration

Natural Increase

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

55+: 28% in 1990 - to 43% in 2030

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

1990 2010 2030

Age 55+

Under 55

Long Term Population Trends – Sussex

Source: Delaware Population Consortium

Median Age (Sussex has a much higher median age)

Area Median Age

Sussex County 45.9

Kent County 36.7

New Castle County 37.2

Delaware 38.9

U.S. 37.3

Source: American Fact Finder

0 5,000 10,000 15,000

Wholesale &Retail Trade

Leisure &Hospitality

Healthcare

Mfg, (Food)

Education

Prof & BusinessServ.

Major Sussex Industry Groups (2014 Employment)

Source: Del. Dept of Labor, OOLMI

0 5,000 10,000 15,000

Wholesale & Retail Trade

Leisure & Hospitality

Healthcare

Manufacturing (Food)

Education

Prof.& Bus. Serv

Construction

Manufacturing (Non-Food)

Fin., Ins. & Real Est.

Government

Other Serv.

Transport., & Utilities

Agriculture (Farms)

Information

Where Sussex Works (2014)

Source: Del. Dept of Labor, OOLMI; Census of Agriculture

Average Annual Wage by Ind. Sussex (2014)

$0 $10,000 $20,000 $30,000 $40,000 $50,000 $60,000

Manufacturing (Non-food)

Healthcare

Information

Transport./Utilities

Fin. Ins. & Real Est.

Education

Construction

Government

Prof.& Bus. Serv

Agriculture (Farms)

Manufacturing (Food)

Wholesale & Retail Trade

Other Serv.

Leisure & Hospitality

$36,319

Largest Occupational GroupsSussex 2014

U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, (BLS)

Occupational Group EmploymentAnnual Avg.

WageFood Preparation and Serving Related 10,460 $22,240

Office and Administrative Support 10,230 $32,860

Sales and Related 9,130 $33,990

Production 6,540 $29,910

Transportation and Material Moving 4,920 $30,220

Healthcare Practitioners and Technical 4,910 $74,640

Education, Training, and Library 4,540 $47,010

Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance 3,600 $26,600

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair 3,200 $43,140

Construction and Extraction 3,110 $40,080

Healthcare Support 2,370 $28,100

Management 1,670 $11,430

Business and Financial Operations 1,540 $62,550

Largest Specific Occupations – Sussex 2014

Source: U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500 4,000

Supervisors/Retail Sales

Cooks, Restaurant

Stock Clerks

Office Clerks

Nursing Assistants

Secretaries

Bookkeeping, Accounting Clerks

Truck Drivers, Heavy

Landscaping and Groundskeeping

laborers/Material Movers

Janitors and Cleaners

Registered Nurses

Cashiers

Food Prep/Serving Workers (Fast Food)

Waiters and Waitresses

Meat/Poultry Fish Cutters

Retail Salespersons

1,010

1,030

1,070

1,070

1,080

1,080

1,140

1,170

1,200

1,300

1,350

1,720

2,220

2,290

2,340

2,840

3,880

Ann. Wages for SelectedOccupations – Sussex 2014

Source: U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

$0 $30,000 $60,000 $90,000 $120,000 $150,000 $180,000

Machinists

HVAC Mechanics

Electricians

Accountants and Auditors

Registered Nurses

Electrical Engineers

Management Analysts

Computer Systems Analysts

Physical Therapists

Veterinarians

Lawyers

Family and General Practitioners

$43,970

$47,570

$51,150

$64,110

$69,530

$77,420

$85,430

$92,480

$96,260

$118,330

$123,680

$168,310