Professional Documents
Culture Documents
2010 State of The State
2010 State of The State
Matt Mayer
Mary McCleary
FEBRUARY 2010
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS
Executive Summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
II. Ohio Lagged Behind Most States During Good and Bad Times . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Appendix. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Sources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
On the Cover
Top Row from Left: James A. Rhodes State Office Tower houses 4,000 state employees
and is the tallest building in Columbus; Columbus City Hall; Vern Riffe Center for Gov-
ernment and the Arts houses 2,000 state employees in Columbus, including the Governor
and the Members of the Ohio House of Representatives.
Bottom Row from Left: Moraine Assembly Plant opened in 1951 in a suburb of Dayton
and closed by General Motors in December 2008; NCR Corporation Headquarters based
in Dayton since 1884 and scheduled to close by the end of 2010 as NCR relocates to a
suburb of Atlanta, Georgia.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 1
In nineteen years, Ohio’s job market significantly more than their private-sec-
only created a net 176,100 new jobs, or tor neighbors in 87 out of 88 counties;
just over 9,000 jobs per year. That weak state workers make much more than
job growth means limited opportunities their private-sector neighbors in 85 out
for you, your family, and your friends. of 88 counties; and local workers make
Limited opportunity makes it hard for more than their private-sector neighbors
you to get ahead and attain the American in 57 out of 88 counties.
Dream. The only way to spur robust job cre-
As the job market weakened, the taxes ation and lower our taxes is to eliminate
and fees you pay to government at all Ohio’s anti-business job policies and to
levels rose making your state and local reduce the cost of government. These ac-
tax burden the 7th highest in the United tions will not be easy, but failure to make
States. The tax climate for businesses in fundamental reforms will render Ohio
Ohio is the 47th worst in America. even less competitive with other states in
One of the drivers of our high tax bur- both job creation and taxes.
den is the ever-increasing gold-plated Failure to enact pro-growth reforms
compensation of government workers also will guarantee that more Ohioans
in Ohio. In the same period of time that and their businesses will vote with their
Ohio only added 176,100 private-sector feet by moving to states where prosperity
jobs, it added 75,100 government jobs. is a priority.
Today, federal workers in Ohio make
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 3
Executive Summary
The economic condition of Ohio is driven by three key 176,100, or 4 percent, which averages just over
variables: the health of the job market, the overall tax burden 9,000 jobs per year in a state of over 11.4 million
on Ohioans, and the cost of government. Politicians and so- people.1
called experts might quibble with such a simple view, but
fundamentally an Ohio without enough jobs for its citizens We found that states with Right to Work laws had stron-
who carry both a heavy tax burden and a growing govern- ger and more sustainable job growth over those nineteen
ment bureaucracy is an Ohio headed in the wrong direc- years. Specifically, the twenty-eight states that force workers
tion. to join a union had an average increase in jobs from 1990 to
As this report details, the Ohio job market is anemic and 2009 of 17.5 percent, which is less than 1 percent per year. In
has been weak for two decades when compared to other comparison, the twenty-two states with Right to Work laws
states. The undeniable facts are: that protect a worker’s economic freedom had an average
increase in jobs from 1990 to 2009 of 38.5 percent, or over
• When the American economy boomed in the 2 percent per year and more than twice as much job growth
1990s, Ohio’s job growth was the 37th best out of all as states that force workers to join unions.2 The fifteen states
fifty states and the District of Columbia. From 1990 with the lowest job growth from 1990 to 2009 were all states
to 2000, Ohio added a total of 720,200 that force workers to join unions (from lowest: -4.1 percent
private- sector jobs. to 14.2 percent); whereas, eleven of the fifteen states with
the highest job growth from 1990 to 2009 were states that
• When the American economy went bust after the protected a worker’s economic freedom (from highest: 90.4
Dotcom and technology crashes in 2000, as well percent to 33.8 percent).3 These Right to Work states pose
as the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack and the long-term challenges to Ohio as it fights for jobs.
housing/financial crash in 2008, Ohio lost more On taxes, despite attempts at tax reform that have largely
jobs than every state except Michigan. From 2000 moved around the deck chairs on the Titanic, Ohio’s overall
to 2009, Ohio lost a total of 544,100 private-sector tax burden ranks among the most oppressive in America.
jobs. Ohio’s state and local tax burden is the 7th highest in the
U.S.—a significant jump from its 29th highest ranking in
• From 1990 to 2009, Ohio had the 45th worst job 1990.4 Ohio’s business tax climate is the 47th worst.5 In a re-
market in the United States. Only Connecticut, port that evaluated all of the states’ economic outlook based
Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, on seven factors, Ohio was ranked 45th with only New Jer-
and Rhode Island saw a worse boom-to-bust cycle. sey, Maine, Rhode Island, Vermont, and New York in worse
shape.6
• In roughly nineteen years, the number of non-farm, Finally, on the cost of government, the number of govern-
non-governmental jobs in Ohio increased by a mere ment jobs in Ohio increased by 10.5 percent from 714,000
to 789,100 from 1990 to 2009.7 Even worse, government temic economic weakness will only ensure that more Ohio
budgets accelerated at a pace far in excess of inflation, driv- businesses move to states where they create jobs free of ar-
en in part by gold-plated compensation packages for public tificially expensive labor costs, inflexibility, and an overly
employees.8 As highlighted in this report, federal workers burdensome government. Ohio has become a state where
make significantly more than their private-sector neighbor private-sector workers live among neighbors who work for
in 87 out of 88 counties; state workers make much more government. Those government workers work fewer hours,
than their private-sector neighbor in 85 out of 88 coun- but make more money, receive better and cheaper health
ties; and local workers make more than their private-sector care, have job security, and can retire early on pensions dis-
neighbor in 57 out of 88 counties.9 connected from economic reality.
These three data points lead to one sobering conclusion: These factors—systemically weak job growth, high tax
If Ohio wants a vibrant job market, our elected officials burdens, and exploding government costs—must be fixed.
must stop nibbling on the margins and put in place policies Amidst all the talk about Wall Street and Washington, let
that allow businesses of all sizes and industries to grow and us not forget a simple fact: Ohio does not have a Wall Street
create jobs. By making hard choices that defang entrenched or a Beltway. We are comprised of several Main Streets with
interests, our government can send a clear message that too many empty stores, too few jobs, and too many costly
unequivocally tells Ohioans and the business community and ineffective governments. More government and higher
across America that Ohio is a place where businesses and taxes will not fix our Main Streets. The only entities that
their employees will face low tax burdens and effective, have ever created prosperity are businesses and the jobs
cost-contained government. they create. If we want to fix our Main Streets, we need busi-
The failure to take these prudent actions in the face of sys- nesses—of all sizes and industries—to thrive.
7 Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Ohio Economy at a Glance,” at http://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.oh.htm (accessed on February 9, 2010).
8 Matt A. Mayer, “Ohio’s Budget Needs Big Fix,” The Columbus Dispatch, December 24, 2009, at http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/editorials/
stories/2009/12/24/mayer.ART_ART_12-24-09_A9_7IG36UL.html (accessed on February 9, 2010).
9 For data, please see the Appendix, pages 17–110.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 5
those 1,767 state workers would explode to $2.4 billion— about “a penny here, a dollar there.” If our elected officials
yes, billion. This pace is unsustainable, grossly out-of-line continue to protect the costs of government employees,
with the private-sector, and must come to an end lest we then almost half of the state budget is off the table. Before
find ourselves ruled by a tyranny of the minority—a minor- increasing taxes ever higher or cutting still more services to
ity of Ohio workers who refuse to accept pay cuts, to pay a Ohio’s vulnerable populations, we should cut the costs of
reasonable share of their health care costs, to live under the government workers who provide those services.
same rules and laws as the rest of us, and to retire on a mod- With the rise of this class of gilded government workers
est pension. They feel entitled to more every year no matter and the uncertainty of higher taxes, government mandates,
the health of the economy. and a global meltdown, it should be no surprise that Ohio,
Governor Ted Strickland himself unwittingly illustrated like many other states, is in the proverbial ditch. The prob-
the lure of gold-plated government jobs in his 2010 State of lem, however, is not just that Ohio is in the ditch; rather, it
the State address. He noted: is much deeper in the ditch compared to other states. Ohio’s
job losses are steeper, so climbing out of the ditch will be
In Stark County last year, 835 people applied for much harder.
one job opening as a janitor at a junior high school. Contrary to the beliefs of some of our center-right
835 people. Scrambling for one job. One man told friends, Ohio did not enter the ditch in January 2007. Gov-
the local newspaper that getting the job would be like ernor Strickland inherited a mess. Based on the data, he
‘winning the lottery.’ 14 is driving us further into the ditch and has produced few
ideas other than more federal government bailouts to solve
A government job today is like winning the lottery. Ohio’s systemic budget deficit. In fact, Governor Strickland
And, it may get even better as President Barack Obama, does not appear to understand how to get Ohio back on its
in his State of the Union address, announced that he wants feet.
to forgive the student loans of government workers. Specifi- Specifically, in his 2010 State of the State, he spent large
cally, he stated, “And let’s tell another 1 million students that amounts of time focusing on government programs aimed
when they graduate, they will be required to pay only 10 at creating “green” jobs in Ohio. We have nothing against
percent of their income on student loans, and all of their green jobs; rather, if a viable market develops for solar pan-
debt will be forgiven ... after 10 years if they choose a career els, wind turbines, biofuels, and ethanol, then we would
in public service.”15 President Obama also cut a special deal highlight the growth of the industry and the jobs that came
with the unions on his proposed health care package that with that growth. Michigan jumped heavily onto the green
would have exempted government workers from a tax on jobs bandwagon under Governor Jennifer Granholm over
health care plans.16 the last seven years and has suffered enormous job losses
The private sector just cannot compete with such lavish that have led to even higher taxes on the dwindling number
pay and benefits. of Michiganders still able to pay taxes.
Contrary to Governor Strickland’s belief that a small per- Our problem with the green jobs agenda is with govern-
centage of vacancy savings and early retirements is proof ment picking the winners and losers in its marketplace by
of reining in government, it is not necessarily the size of using mandates and special benefits that are paid for by the
government measured by the number of employees, but losers, which in this case are Ohio’s coal miners and coal
the cost of those employees and the blank check promis- companies (not to mention non-green energy producers,
es made to them that truly matters. And it is not certainly manufacturers, their employees, and consumers). Green
14 Ted Strickland, “2010 State of the State Address,” January 26, 2010, at http://www.governor.ohio.gov/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=Z_
Ah2ydDjHY%3d&tabid=148 (accessed on February 9, 2010).
15 Barack Obama, “Remarks by the President in State of the Union Address,” The White House, January 27, 2010, at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-
office/remarks-president-state-union-address (accessed on February 9, 2010).
16 Fox News, “Democrats Hammered for ‘Back-Room’ Deal with Unions on Health Care” January 15, 2010, at http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/01/15/
democrats-hammered-room-deal-unions-health-care/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%253A+foxnews%252Flatest+
%2528Text+-+Latest+Headlines%2529 (accessed on February 10, 2010).
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 7
energy will also result in significant increases in energy costs Hirsch noted the move to southern states.20 Fundamentally,
for consumers. Proclamation or not, long before the push the “combination of a union tax [wage increases not offset
for non-renewable energy, Ohio has been an “American En- by productivity gains] and sluggish governance is proving
ergy Gateway” given its abundance of coal and natural gas. debilitating in economic environments that are highly com-
The fact is that the Copenhagen Summit was a dismal petitive and dynamic.”21
failure, cap and trade legislation is dead, Americans rate For the last two decades, politicians in Ohio have said
global warming far down their list of concerns, and even many things about making our once great state stronger,
T. Boone Pickens has abandoned his planned wind farm. better, and more competitive. Despite those words, the ac-
Short of a federal mandate that requires a large percentage tions that followed did very little to create a 21st-century
of energy to come from renewable sources (excluding nu- Ohio. Like the little Dutch boy who stood with his finger in
clear power, of course), the green industry may not survive. the dyke trying to hold back the flood, Ohio’s elected offi-
Instead of focusing on favored industries at the expense of cials opted to fight globalization and the free flow of workers
disfavored industries and placing Ohio’s job market in the and capital to others part of the United States. Rather than
hands of the Environmental Protection Agency, Governor prepare itself and its citizens to compete not just against the
Strickland should be focused on improving the overall busi- cheap labor of China or India, but also against the cheaper
ness and tax environment in Ohio so that any business can labor and greater work flexibility in the southern and west-
grow and create jobs. ern United States, Ohio’s leaders sided with the forces of
Instead of pandering to the labor unions and blaming yesterday. Instead of championing entrepreneurship and
the loss of Ohio’s manufacturing jobs entirely on outsourc- the creative class, our politicians championed government
ing to low-cost labor markets like China, Governor Strick- and entities better suited for 1910.
land should acknowledge that many manufacturing jobs As those politicians failed to prepare Ohio’s economy
have disappeared because Ohio workers can produce more for the challenges of tomorrow, Ohioans saw their incomes
goods with fewer workers and because other states have far decline compared to other states. In the beginning of the
friendlier labor policies. No matter how many protectionist 1940s, the per capita income of Ohioans as a percentage of
measures are placed on China, many of the manufacturing U.S. per capita income was 113 percent. By the beginning of
jobs are not coming back.17 the 1970s, Ohioans’ per capita income had dropped to the
In fact, according to a study by Barry T. Hirsch, manufac- average for U.S. citizens. By 2008, it had dropped to 89 per-
turing job losses largely came from unionized manufactur- cent.22 In the fight for prosperity, Ohio was losing ground
ing facilities. Hirsch found that “nonunion manufacturing each decade.
employment remained relatively steady over time, as union No matter how you slice or spin it, Ohio is now in bad
employment dropped sharply. [N]onunion employment in shape. We can stand atop the mountain and blame capital-
manufacturing rose by 1.5 million between 1973 and 2006, ism, globalization, carbon dioxide, the “rich,” or the count-
despite a 2.5 million decline after 2000. Union members less other boogiemen we have created to explain how our
employed in manufacturing fell from 7.8 million in 1973 to state went from prosperous to poor. But, in the end, we can
only 1.8 million in 2006.”18 Hirsch found that productivity only really blame the politicians who put in place or failed
doubled since 1970 in the general economy with manufac- to repeal bad policies and, more fundamentally, ourselves
turing gains even higher.19 In looking at the geographic shift, for keeping them in office.
17 Dirk Pilat, Agnes Cimper, Karsten Olsen, and Colin Webb, “The Changing Nature of Manufacturing in OECD Economies,” Organization for Economic Co-
operation and Development Directorate for Science, Technology and Industry 10, 23 (October 27, 2009).
18 Barry T. Hirsch, “Sluggish Institutions in a Dynamic World: Can Unions and Industrial Competition Coexist?” IZA Discussion Paper No. 2930, Institute for
the Study of Labor, 3 ( July 2007).
19 Ibid., at 6.
20 Ibid., at 13–14.
21 Ibid., at 2.
22 Richard Vedder, The Decline and Fall of the Ohio Economy And What We Can Do About It, Remarks to the Ohio Receivables Management Association,
Columbus, Ohio, September 18, 2009. Richard Vedder, The Decline and Fall of the Ohio Economy And What We Can Do About It, Remarks to the Ohio
Receivables Management Association, Columbus, Ohio, September 18, 2009.
8 State of the State
This report—a first of its kind—is an After the bursting of the Dotcom and
unvarnished county-by-county look at technology bubbles and the September
the condition of Ohio based on the most Compared to 11, 2001, terrorist attack, as well as the
current data. Our aim with this report is to other states, housing/financial crisis in 2008, Ohio
assess the depth of the problems we face Ohio was one of experienced much more severe job losses
and frame the debates we aim to have over than other states. Specifically, from 2000
the next year on three key issues: jobs, the worst to 2009, Ohio lost 544,100 jobs, or 11
taxation, and the cost of government. To performers over percent, with no end in sight. The five
fully analyze the problem so that we can the last decade. sectors that experienced heavy losses
develop solutions, we felt it was critical to were mining and logging (1,600/-12
dig a little deeper by looking at each Ohio In fact, except for percent); construction (71,200/-29 per-
county and the forty-nine other states. Michigan, Ohio cent); manufacturing (417,400/-41 per-
This microanalysis allowed us to compare had the worst cent); trade, transportation and utilities
and contrast counties and states, identify (143,100/-13 percent); and information
trends, and flesh out broader issues of job environment (30,800/-29 percent).24
concern. in America. The losses in mining and logging,
Over the next several months, we will construction, manufacturing, and infor-
follow this report with additional research mation were so large that those sectors
focused on the impact of Governor Strickland’s conversion had fewer jobs in 2009 than those sectors had in 1990. In
levy on property taxes (short answer: it will result in large financial activities, the losses from 2000-2009 cut in half the
tax hikes without voter approval); the relationship the pay, gains that were made from 1990-2000. In financial activi-
health care, and pensions of state public employees has with ties, professional and business services, and other services,
the private sector and fiscal reality (very little); the role of the job losses from 2000 to 2009 placed the total number of
the right to collectively bargain has on the cost of govern- jobs in those sectors below the number of jobs that existed
ment (a great deal); and the overall business environment in 2000. The two “bright” spots from the last nine years are
in Ohio (not good). that the total number of jobs increased from the 2000 total
in both education and health services and leisure and hos-
II. Ohio Lagged Behind Most States During Good pitality. The problem is that the former is tied to govern-
and Bad Times ment spending and the latter tends to represent lower wage
jobs.25
In terms of overall non-farm, non-government jobs, Compared to other states, Ohio was one of the worst
Ohio had 4,122,700 jobs in 1990. Over the next ten years performers over the last decade. In fact, except for Michi-
during the irrational exuberance of the Dotcom and tech- gan, Ohio had the worst job environment in America. In
nology boom, as well as the passage of the North American the seven key sectors, Ohio was largely in the bottom rung
Free Trade Agreement, Ohio added 720,200 jobs—a 17.5 among the states. In comparing the total jobs picture from
percent increase. Of the nine sectors, Ohio only experienced 1990 to 2009, Ohio had the 45th worst environment for
job losses in two sectors: mining and logging (-4,900) and jobs in the United States. Only Connecticut, Massachu-
manufacturing (-13,800). Compared to the other forty- setts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island
nine states and the District of Columbia, however, Ohio’s saw a worse boom-to-bust cycle.26
job growth was the 37th best overall. In seven key sectors, In roughly nineteen years, the number of non-farm, non-
Ohio performed at the mid-to-low end of job growth.23 governmental jobs in Ohio increased by a mere 176,100, or
4 percent, which is an average of just over 9,000 jobs per over the last several years about California’s anti-business
year in a state of over 11.4 million people. As a point of ref- environment and the power of the public-sector unions, its
erence, as private sector job growth hit 4 percent, the num- presence on the list is not a surprise.
ber of government jobs in Ohio increased by 10.5 percent In contrast, eleven of the fifteen states with the highest
from 714,000 to 789,100 from 1990 to 2009.27 Even worse, job growth from 1990 to 2009 were states that protected
as private sector compensation stagnated, the compensa- a worker’s economic freedom (from highest: 90.4 percent
tion of government workers skyrocketed. to 33.8 percent): Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Arizona, Wyoming,
Other than the six states that had worse job losses than North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Florida, Nebraska,
Ohio, only Illinois, Maine, Pennsylvania, and Vermont had and Oklahoma.31 These states, along with the other south-
job growth from 1990 to 2009 under ten percent. Twenty- ern Right to Work states, pose long-term challenges to Ohio
eight states had total job growth from 1990 to 2009 over 20 as it fights for jobs.
percent even after the large losses of the last two years.28 For example, in the automobile industry, “the overall
Despite the claims of unions and their political friends, growth masks dramatic employment shifts from U.S.-
workers’ freedom to pursue jobs without being forced to owned union establishments located in north-central
join a union impacts job growth. By using the number of states toward a mix of U.S. and foreign-owned (primarily
jobs as of October 2009 as compared to January 1990—the Japanese and European) establishments in locations further
boom to bust period—as a metric, we found that states with south with primarily nonunion workforces.”32 As employ-
Right to Work laws had stronger and more sustainable job ment increased from 1.2 million in 1973 to 1.4 million in
growth over those nineteen years. Specifically, the twenty- 2006, union membership decreased substantially from
eight states that force workers to join a union had an average 830,000 to 360,000.33 “In the late 1970s, motor vehicle and
increase in jobs from 1990 to 2009 of 17.5 percent, which is parts manufacturing was concentrated in Michigan (41%
less than 1 percent per year. In comparison, the twenty-two of all workers in the industry), Ohio (12%), and several
states with Right to Work laws that protect a worker’s eco- other high-union states. By 2004-2006, most of these states
nomic freedom had an average increase in jobs from 1990 realized large employment share losses,” as southern states
to 2009 of 38.5 percent, or over 2 percent per year and more made gains.34
than twice as much job growth as states that force workers The percentage of workers covered by a union, not sur-
to join unions.29 prisingly, is also closely correlated with the presence or
In fact, the fifteen states with the lowest job growth from absence of economic freedom laws. In states with forced
1990 to 2009 were all states that force workers to join unions unionization, the average number of workers covered by a
(from lowest: -4.1 percent to 14.2 percent): Connecticut, union is 16.5 percent. In states protecting a worker’s eco-
Michigan, Rhode Island, New York, Massachusetts, New nomic freedom, the average number of workers covered by
Jersey, Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Maine, Vermont, In- a union is 8 percent, or less than half of the forced unioniza-
diana, Hawaii, California, and Missouri.30 Except for New tion states.35 Many of these union members are, of course,
Hampshire, this group of states forms an unbroken string government workers where arguably the “need” for a union
of states from Missouri to Maine. Given all of the coverage is weakest.36
27 Ibid.
28 Ibid.
29 Ibid.
30 Ibid.
31 Ibid.
32 Hirsch, “Sluggish Institutions in a Dynamic World,” at 13.
33 Ibid.
34 Ibid., at 13–14.
35 Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Table 5: Union affiliation of employed wage and salary workers by state,” at http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin.pl/print.pl/news.release/
union2.t05.htm (accessed on February 5, 2010).
36 Editorial, “The Public-Union Ascendancy,” The Wall Street Journal, A16 (February 3, 2010).
10 State of the State
Those counties all appear to have benefited from job wages exceed the median household income in fifty-one
flight from the large urban counties. Specifically, as Ham- counties (58 percent). If these federal and state employ-
ilton County lost jobs (-9.5 percent), Butler County (18.1 ees have working spouses, their household incomes would
percent), Warren County (30.1 percent), and Clermont be comfortably among the wealthiest households in their
County (14.5 percent) gained jobs; as Montgomery Coun- counties.
ty lost jobs (-15.2 percent), Butler County (18.1 percent), In contrast, the local average yearly wages exceed the
Warren County (30.1 percent), and Greene County (13 median household income in only five counties and the
percent) gained jobs; as Franklin County lost jobs (-4.7 private-sector yearly wages exceed the median household
percent), Union County (18.1 percent), Delaware Coun- income in just four counties.
ty (103.8 percent), Knox County (11 percent), and Fair- Sixty-six of 88 Ohio counties have unemployment rates
field County (15.3 percent) gained jobs; and as Cuyahoga higher than the national rate of 10 percent, and eighteen
County lost jobs (-11.6 percent), Medina County (12.6 counties are experiencing unemployment rates above 14
percent) gained jobs. percent.45
For more specific data, private sector workers in Union In Ohio’s 88 counties, those who filed tax returns with
County possess the highest average yearly wage in Ohio at income over $60,000 have a significantly higher portion of
$53,735 and serve as the only example where the private- their incomes paid to government than do those who make
sector average yearly wage exceeds the federal average under that amount. For example, in Jackson County there
yearly wage. In twenty-one other counties, however, fed- are 2,370 households with earnings over $60,000 annually.
eral workers have a higher average yearly wage than private- These households make 49 percent of the county’s total
sector workers in Union County. In fact, in the county adjusted gross income, yet they pay 66 percent of the total
where federal workers average the least per year—Vinton taxes before credits while the 11,407 other households who
County—the federal workers have a higher average yearly earn 51 percent of the total adjusted gross income only pay
wage ($35,227) than private-sector workers in all but thirty 34 percent of the total tax before credits.
counties. As a point of reference, for tax year 2006, any household
Meigs County private-sector workers possess the lowest with an adjusted gross income of more than $64,703 was in
average yearly wage at $23,424. There is not a single county the top 25 percent of all households in the United States,
in Ohio where the federal, state, or local average yearly wage earned roughly 68.16 percent of all adjusted gross income,
is below $26,190. and paid roughly 86.26 percent of all federal income taxes,
As an example of the sheer difference between federal which was the highest percentage since 1980. Other than
and state workers and those in the private sector or local four years (1989, 1990, 2001, and 2003), the top 25 per-
government, federal workers average more than $40,000 cent has paid an increasing percentage of all federal income
per year in 80 counties and state workers average more than taxes from 1980 (73.02 percent) to 2006 (86.26 percent).46
$40,000 in 76 counties. In comparison, local workers aver- Thus, the claims that the top 25 percent do not pay their
age more than $40,000 per year in only ten counties and “fair share” and that they benefited “more” from the Bush
private-sector workers average more than $40,000 per year tax cuts are utterly disproved by the actual data. The fact of
in only nine counties. the matter is that the top 25 percent pay taxes well in excess
In comparing yearly average wages to the median house- of their share of income at both the state and federal level.
hold income for all 88 counties, the disparity between Unfortunately, as politicians push a greater share of taxes
federal and state workers as compared to local and private at all levels on this small group of citizens, their ability to get
sector workers is stunning. Specifically, the federal average ahead diminishes. Because this group of taxpayers repre-
yearly wages exceed the median household income in for- sents America’s entrepreneurial class of small business own-
ty-eight counties (55 percent) and the state average yearly ers, it should not be a surprise to anyone that these men and
45 Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, “Local Area Unemployment Statistics,” December 2009, at http://lmi.state.oh.us/laus/laus.html (accessed on
February 9, 2010).
46 2009 Federal Revenue and Spending Book of Charts, “Progressive Taxes Interactive Chart,” The Heritage Foundation, at http://www.heritage.org/Research/
Features/BudgetChartbook/-Progressive-Taxes-Interactive-Chart.aspx (accessed on February 4, 2010).
12 State of the State
women seek low tax jurisdictions to start or grow their busi- ment and home to The Ohio State University. Only Pick-
nesses. Ohio’s hostile tax environment encourages these in- away County has a higher unemployment rate than the
novators to move to more business-friendly states. state of Ohio average. Job growth among the seven counties
In addition to taxes, the government spends a large por- varies as well. While Franklin County, Pickaway County,
tion of its tax revenue on obligatory transfer payments and and Licking County lost jobs between 2000 and 2008,
federal expenditures. Both go toward various expenses, Delaware County, Fairfield County, Madison County, and
such as retirement and disability, medical payments, and as- Union County all experienced job growth. Private-sector
sistance to needy families. Transfer payments additionally jobs in Delaware County more than doubled during the
include unemployment and veteran benefits while federal eight-year period.
expenditures also include highway grants, loans, insurance, In spite of central Ohio outperforming the rest of the
and federal wages. For the 88 counties, the median transfer state, the growing cost of government is still a concern. In
payment per individual in 2008 was $5,562.48, and the me- five of the seven counties, the government job growth rate
dian federal expenditure per person was $5,568.80. These exceeds that of the private sector. Only Delaware County
payments obviously come from taxes that further increase and Madison County are the exceptions. Average govern-
the costs of doing business on owners and consumers who ment wages at all levels are higher than average private-sec-
pay them either directly or indirectly. tor wages in all but Union County and Delaware County.
To illustrate how government is overtaking the private Even in Delaware County, state and federal government
sector, take a look at Athens County. The average private- wages exceed private-sector wages. Only Union County has
sector salary is $25,794 while the local, state, and federal a private-sector average wage that is higher than the federal,
government average salaries are $32,760, $57,876, and state, and local government averages in the county.
$51,269, respectively. If that is not bad enough, consider
that the ratio of private-sector jobs to government-sector Cleveland area. The greater Cleveland area economy is
jobs is just over two-to-one. Statewide, roughly 15 percent suffering, although it is faring better than average compared
of all non-farm jobs are government jobs, whereas in Ath- to rural Ohio. Cuyahoga County leads the state in popula-
ens County, government jobs make up almost 36 percent tion loss with nearly an 8 percent decrease in citizens since
of non-farm jobs. Tax returns with total income equal to 2000. While some of this loss can be attributed to people
or greater than $60,000 make up 55 percent of all adjusted moving to the suburbs, the decline in jobs is the driving
gross income in the county, yet from this money 71 percent force in the population loss. Between 2000 and 2008, total
of all taxes before credits are levied. The average transfer employment in Cuyahoga County dropped by over 83,000,
payment per individual in 2008 was $5,116, and the average with the private sector losing over 11 percent of its jobs.
federal expenditure per person was $6,140. Athens County, Even though Cuyahoga County’s surrounding counties all
sadly, has become a county dependent upon government experienced slight population growth, three of the six coun-
for jobs and subsistence. ties lost private-sector jobs (Lake County, Portage County,
and Lorain County). Surprisingly, however, the number of
IV. A Look at Trends in Ohio’s Large Urban Areas 47 government jobs increased for all of Cuyahoga County’s
surrounding counties.
Job growth in the regions around Ohio’s large cities is The cost of government in the Cleveland area is hinder-
inconsistent. ing the region from economic growth. As previously men-
tioned, the government is creating more jobs, which are
Columbus area. Although the greater Columbus area funded by the taxpayers. In Portage County, government-
continues to suffer economically, Franklin County and its sector jobs increased 11.2 percent while private-sector jobs
six neighboring counties have not been hit as hard as the decreased by 2.7 percent between 2000 and 2008. In all sev-
rest of the state. This outcome should not come as a sur- en Cleveland-area counties, average government employ-
prise given that Franklin County is the seat of state govern- ees at the federal, state, and local levels all earn more wages
47 For all non-population data, please see the Appendix, pages 17–110.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 13
than that of the average private-sector worker. For example, den of government is growing. Between 2000 and 2008,
the average private-sector worker in Lorain County making Fulton County lost 12.1 percent of its private-sector jobs,
$35,647.04 must support the average federal government but government employment grew by an enormous 23.3
employee making $97,884.80 per year. percent. In Lucas County, the average private-sector worker
earned $37,769 in 2008 while average government wages
Cincinnati area. Although employment in Hamilton were $46,381 for local, $48,004 for state, and $58,963 for
County dropped 9 percent between 2000 and 2008, the federal government. Additionally, in Lucas County tax re-
greater Cincinnati area is doing relatively well compared to turns with income higher than $60,000 made up 65 percent
other parts of Ohio. In the same time period, employment of all adjusted income in the county, yet from this income
increased significantly in the surrounding Ohio counties. 79 percent of all taxes before credits were levied. The high
Butler County’s employment increased by 16.9 percent, cost of government hurts taxpayers and businesses and will
Clermont County by 15 percent, and Warren County by an not help put the Toledo area back on the road to recovery.
incredible 30.5 percent. In Clermont County, private sec-
tor employment grew by 14.5 percent; however, the gov- Akron-Canton area. Between 2000 and 2008 Summit
ernment grew by 19 percent. The government also grew a County remained economically stagnant. Population in the
greater percentage than the private sector in Warren Coun- county dropped less than 250 people (nearly 0 percent).
ty. Even though job growth in Hamilton County was nega- Total employment rose 2.8 percent over the eight-year pe-
tive, the private sector lost a much higher percentage of jobs riod with a 5.9 percent increase in the government sector
than the public sector. and a 2.4 percent increase in the private sector. Although
Even more concerning is that average government em- the manufacturing sector was hit hard with a 30 percent
ployees at all levels make more than average private-sector decrease in jobs, Summit County had a relatively low 10.8
employees in Hamilton County’s surrounding counties. percent unemployment rate—the 60th-lowest unemploy-
In Hamilton County, the average private-sector wage is ment rate out of the 88 Ohio counties.50
$48,959 while the average government wages are $42,172 Unlike Summit County, Stark County’s population grew
for local, $50,076 for state, and $64,830 for federal gov- slightly between 2000 and 2008 and total employment
ernment. Additionally, Hamilton County taxpayers with dropped 8.6 percent. The private sector jobs declined 9.8
income higher than $60,000 on their returns made up 74 percent with major losses in manufacturing, yet govern-
percent of all adjusted income in the county, yet from this ment employment grew by 2.1 percent. Stark County’s un-
income 86 percent of all taxes before credits were levied. employment rate has risen to 12.2 percent.51
In Summit County, the average private-sector worker
Toledo area. The greater Toledo area has been hit hard makes less than the average government worker. The aver-
economically over the last decade. Employment dropped age private-sector worker earns $40,802 while the average
by 10.8 percent between 2000 and 2008. The private sec- local government worker makes $40,895, the average state
tor lost 11.9 percent of its jobs while the government sec- government worker makes $51,585, and the average federal
tor only lost 2.3 percent of its employees. With the decline government worker makes $59,062.
of jobs has come high unemployment. In December 2009, Likewise, in Stark County, the average private-sector
Lucas County’s unemployment rate was 12.3 percent (41st worker makes $34,654 while the local, state, and federal gov-
worst out of 88 counties).48 Other than Wood County, all ernment workers average $36,707, $50,435, and $54,387,
of Lucas’s surrounding counties had worse unemployment respectively. In both counties, those who have income high-
rates. Ottawa County ranked third worst in the state with an er than $60,000 on their tax returns also pay much more
unemployment rate of 17.3 percent.49 of the tax burden than those who report making less than
Jobs are leaving, unemployment is rising, and the bur- $60,000. In Summit County, individuals and families with
48 Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, “Local Area Unemployment Statistics.”
49 Ibid.
50 Ibid.
51 Ibid.
14 State of the State
incomes more than $60,000 earned 69 percent of all ad- makes $45,213, and the average federal government worker
justed income in the county, yet from that income, 82 per- makes $59,081. Likewise, in Trumbull County, the average
cent of all taxes before credits were levied. Similarly, in Stark private-sector worker earns $37,019, while the average lo-
County, those with incomes higher than $60,000 earned 61 cal government employee makes $37,698, the average state
percent of the total county adjusted gross income, but lev- government employee makes $47,285, and the average fed-
ied 71 percent of the taxes before credits. eral government employee makes $52,073. In Mahoning
County, those making over $60,000 earn 61 percent of the
Dayton area. Montgomery County took a big hit from county’s adjusted gross income, but are levied 76 percent
the economic downturn. Between 2000 and 2008, the all taxes before credits. In Trumbull County, those making
county lost 4.4 percent of its population and 13.8 percent over $60,000 earn 57 percent of the adjusted gross income,
of its jobs. Employment in the private sector dropped 15.2 yet are levied 72 percent of the taxes before credits.
percent while government employment increased by 0.6
percent (170 jobs). Clark County has a similar story with V. Conclusion: It Is Time to Make the Hard Choices
the exception of government employment decreasing, but
still not nearly to the extent of the private sector decline. If Ohio wants a vibrant job market, it must solve long-
Average government employees at all levels in Montgom- term obstacles to solid and sustainable job growth. Eventu-
ery County, Greene County, and Clark County earn more ally, the global economy will improve. When it does, Ohio
than the average private-sector worker. In Greene County, needs to be ready. If Ohio’s elected officials fail to make
the average private-sector worker only earns $35,663 an- tough choices today, Ohio’s economy will grow weakly like
nually, yet the average federal employee makes $80,642— it did in the 1990s, and when the next recession comes,
more than twice that of the average private-sector neighbor which it will, Ohio’s job losses will be substantial like they
who must support him. In Montgomery County those have been over the last nine years.
who made over $60,000 according to tax returns earned 64 The one sector in Ohio that had job growth from 1990 to
percent of all adjusted income in the county. From the 64 2009 was government. Not only did government grow, but
percent of income, 78 percent of taxes before credits were the costs of those jobs also exploded. Government workers
levied. In Clark County, there is also a 14 percent difference now make far more than their private-sector neighbors who
between total Ohio adjusted income and the amount of pay for their costs. These costs require a level of taxation
taxes before credits levied. that overly burdens Ohio’s citizens and business.
An Ohio poised for the global economy is one with a di-
Youngstown area. Of Ohio’s seven major urban regions, verse job market, low taxation, and low government costs.
Youngstown has suffered the greatest economic decline. It also is one where workers have economic freedom and
Between 2000 and 2008, Mahoning County lost 9.5 per- businesses can compete with competitors across the globe
cent of its total employment, and Trumbull County lost an and in the southern and western United States. Long-term
enormous 19.5 percent, making it the fifth-worst county prosperity for all Ohioans will not come at a bargaining
in the state for percentage of jobs lost. The decline in both table or in a government building. It will come from entre-
counties’ private sectors was much greater percentage-wise preneurs and corporations that can produce the best goods
than the decline in the government sector. Mahoning lost and services at the lowest cost.
10.5 percent of private-sector jobs, while the government Politicians can continue to ignore this basic economic
sector only lost 2.3 percent. Similarly, Trumbull County’s reality, but Ohioans should not let their ideological intran-
private sector lost 20.6 percent of its jobs, while the govern- sigence render our state a laggard. Ohio played a pivotal role
ment only declined 11.1 percent. in America’s rise as a world power. Our leaders were house-
Even worse is that average government employees at hold names across America: Edison, Goodyear, Wright, and
all levels earn more than average private-sector workers. Rickenbacker. With the right leadership and willingness to
In Mahoning County, the average private-sector worker take on the entrenched interest, Ohio once again can be on
earns $31,321, yet the average local government worker the front lines helping America remain a world power.
makes $36,848, the average state government worker
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 15
Matt A. Mayer is the President of the Buckeye Institute, and also serves as a Visiting
Fellow with The Heritage Foundation. Before joining the Buckeye Institute, Mayer served
as an Adjunct Professor at The Ohio State University where he taught a course comparing
responses within the Transatlantic Alliance to terrorist threats.
Mayer was a senior official at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) where
he provided policy and operational advice as the Counselor to the Deputy Secretary. May-
er came to DHS from Colorado where he served Governor Bill Owens as the Deputy Di-
rector for the Department of Regulatory Agencies. Mayer co-developed Colorado’s Regu-
latory Notice system that utilizes electronic mail to notify stakeholders of all proposed
regulations before those regulations become final. The Regulatory Notice system earned
the Denver Business Journal’s 2003 Innovative Product/Service Award for making govern-
ment more transparent and accountable.
Mayer was a 2007 Lincoln Fellow with The Claremont Institute for the Study of States-
manship and Political Philosophy and a 2006 American Marshall Memorial Fellow with
the German Marshall Fund of the United States. In September 2005, The Ohio State Uni-
versity Alumni Association awarded Mayer the William Thompson Oxley Award for early
career achievement. He has published a book; written articles for law reviews, public pol-
icy journals, and newspapers; given testimony to the U.S. Congress and to the Texas and
Ohio legislatures; and appeared on Fox News, C-SPAN, ONN, and other major media
outlets. Mayer graduated cum laude from the University of Dayton with a double major in
Philosophy and Psychology, and received his law degree from The Ohio State University
College of Law.
Mary McCleary is a Policy Analyst at the Buckeye Institute. McCleary graduated magna
cum laude from Hillsdale College in May 2009, with a major in Economics and a minor in
Mathematics. She received Departmental Honors from the economics faculty for her out-
standing work as an undergraduate. During college, McCleary was awarded a prestigious
Koch Foundation Fellowship that provided her the opportunity to engage in economic
research beyond the classroom.
Special thanks to John W. Fleming for his excellent graphics work in this report.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 17
Appendix
County demographic information on population, income, and employment.
County Page County Page County Page
Adams County. . . . . . . . . . 18 Hamilton County. . . . . . . . 48 Noble County. . . . . . . . . . . 78
Allen County. . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Hancock County. . . . . . . . 49 Ottawa County. . . . . . . . . . 79
Ashland County. . . . . . . . . 20 Hardin County. . . . . . . . . . 50 Paulding County . . . . . . . . 80
Ashtabula County. . . . . . . 21 Harrison County. . . . . . . . 51 Perry County. . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Athens County. . . . . . . . . . 22 Henry County. . . . . . . . . . . 52 Pickaway County. . . . . . . . 82
Auglaize County. . . . . . . . . 23 Highland County. . . . . . . . 53 Pike County. . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Belmont County. . . . . . . . . 24 Hocking County. . . . . . . . . 54 Portage County . . . . . . . . . 84
Brown County . . . . . . . . . . 25 Holmes County . . . . . . . . . 55 Preble County. . . . . . . . . . . 85
Butler County. . . . . . . . . . . 26 Huron County . . . . . . . . . . 56 Putnam County. . . . . . . . . 86
Carroll County. . . . . . . . . . 27 Jackson County . . . . . . . . . 57 Richland County. . . . . . . . 87
Champaign County. . . . . . 28 Jefferson County . . . . . . . . 58 Ross County. . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Clark County. . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Knox County. . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Sandusky County. . . . . . . . 89
Clermont County . . . . . . . 30 Lake County. . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Scioto County. . . . . . . . . . . 90
Clinton County . . . . . . . . . 31 Lawrence County. . . . . . . . 61 Seneca County. . . . . . . . . . 91
Columbiana County. . . . . 32 Licking County. . . . . . . . . . 62 Shelby County . . . . . . . . . . 92
Coshocton County. . . . . . 33 Logan County. . . . . . . . . . . 63 Stark County. . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Crawford County. . . . . . . . 34 Lorain County . . . . . . . . . . 64 Summit County. . . . . . . . . 94
Cuyahoga County. . . . . . . 35 Lucas County. . . . . . . . . . . 65 Trumbull County. . . . . . . . 95
Darke County. . . . . . . . . . . 36 Madison County . . . . . . . . 66 Tuscarawas County. . . . . . 96
Defiance County . . . . . . . . 37 Mahoning County. . . . . . . 67 Union County. . . . . . . . . . . 97
Delaware County. . . . . . . . 38 Marion County. . . . . . . . . . 68 Van Wert County. . . . . . . . 98
Erie County. . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Medina County . . . . . . . . . 69 Vinton County. . . . . . . . . . 99
Fairfield County. . . . . . . . . 40 Meigs County. . . . . . . . . . . 70 Warren County. . . . . . . . . 100
Fayette County. . . . . . . . . . 41 Mercer County. . . . . . . . . . 71 Washington County . . . . 101
Franklin County. . . . . . . . . 42 Miami County . . . . . . . . . . 72 Wayne County. . . . . . . . . 102
Fulton County . . . . . . . . . . 43 Monroe County. . . . . . . . . 73 Williams County . . . . . . . 103
Gallia County. . . . . . . . . . . 44 Montgomery County. . . . 74 Wood County. . . . . . . . . . 104
Geauga County. . . . . . . . . . 45 Morgan County. . . . . . . . . 75 Wyandot County. . . . . . . 105
Greene County. . . . . . . . . . 46 Morrow County. . . . . . . . . 76
Guernsey County. . . . . . . . 47 Muskingum County . . . . . 77
State maps showing median household income and average yearly wages by sector
Page
Median Household Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Private Sector, Current Average Yearly Wage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Federal Government, Current Average Yearly Wage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
State Government, Current Average Yearly Wage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Local Government, Current Average Yearly Wage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
18 State of the State
Adams County
Employment Overview
6,524 6,375
5,014 4,750
+7.3%
1,493 1,602
-2.3% -5.3%
+118.8%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 149
’08: 326 -10.6%
14.1% Rank: 9 (1=highest)
-22.0%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 1,090
’08: 850 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+25.8%
Private Sector $28,970 Trade, Transport., ’00: 1,258
Federal Government $37,265 and Utilities ’08: 1,582 -6.2%
State Government $41,757
Local Government $31,376 -25.0%
Information ’00: 48
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 36 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 1,970
Income Less than $60,000 9,923 -10.9%
Financial ’00: 174
Activities ’08: 155
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-32.1%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 187
Income 46% 62% Bus. Services ’08: 127 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 777
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 54% 38% +2.4%
Leisure and ’00: 613
Hospitality ’08: 628 +2.8%
Other Indicators +9.7%
Other Services ’00: 93
Average Transfer
’08: 102 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,821
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $8,430 Suppressed '00: 625 '08: 897
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 19
Allen County
Employment Overview
59,105
52,034 52,097
45,788
-9.9%
-12.0% 6,931
-12.1%
6,246
-17.9%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 2,505
’08: 2,056 -10.6%
10.8% Rank: 51 (1=highest)
-34.8%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 12,664
’08: 8,251 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-4.9%
Private Sector $34,690 Trade, Transport., ’00: 11,653
Federal Government $56,208 and Utilities ’08: 11,084 -6.2%
State Government $53,996
Local Government $35,573 -20.3%
Information ’00: 961
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 766 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 11,492
Income Less than $60,000 37,742 -10.3%
Financial ’00: 1,237
Activities ’08: 1,110
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-28.8%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 6,538
Income 60% 74% Bus. Services ’08: 4,656 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +13.9%
Education and ’00: 9,635
Health Services ’08: 10,975
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 40% 26% -0.5%
Leisure and ’00: 4,738
Hospitality ’08: 4,713 +2.8%
Other Indicators -3.3%
Other Services ’00: 2,097
Average Transfer
’08: 2,028 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,726
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $7,527 Suppressed '00: 0 '08: 149
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
20 State of the State
Ashland County
Employment Overview
19,492
17,989
16,640
15,018
+2.0%
-4.2%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 670
’08: 642 -10.6%
12.2% Rank: 27 (1=highest)
-42.9%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 6,110
’08: 3,487 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+0.5%
Private Sector $31,845 Trade, Transport., ’00: 2,613
Federal Government $42,557 and Utilities ’08: 2,627 -6.2%
State Government $53,807
Local Government $34,258 -51.9%
Information ’00: 561
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 270 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 5,212
Income Less than $60,000 19,134 -1.0%
Financial ’00: 294
Activities ’08: 291
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-0.6%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 1,044
Income 53% 68% Bus. Services ’08: 1,038 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 1,920
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 47% 32% -10.2%
Leisure and ’00: 1,828
Hospitality ’08: 1,642 +2.8%
Other Indicators -10.7%
Other Services ’00: 709
Average Transfer
’08: 633 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $4,817
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $4,244 Suppressed '00: 857 '08: 4,342
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 21
Ashtabula County
Employment Overview
35,128
31,423 30,049
26,416
-0.8%
-31.2%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 1,319
’08: 907 -10.6%
13.1% Rank: 17 (1=highest)
-27.2%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 10,382
’08: 7,556 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-1.8%
Private Sector $30,380 Trade, Transport., ’00: 5,874
Federal Government $49,362 and Utilities ’08: 5,769 -6.2%
State Government $41,348
Local Government $33,958 -13.6%
Information ’00: 457
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 395 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 8,671
Income Less than $60,000 36,276 -7.8%
Financial ’00: 658
Activities ’08: 607
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-31.4%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 2,428
Income 51% 66% Bus. Services ’08: 1,665 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +18.6%
Education and ’00: 4,741
Health Services ’08: 5,625
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 49% 34% -8.0%
Leisure and ’00: 3,172
Hospitality ’08: 2,918 +2.8%
Other Indicators -9.7%
Other Services ’00: 963
Average Transfer
’08: 870 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $7,005
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $6,462 Suppressed '00: -2 '08: 1
22 State of the State
Athens County
Employment Overview
19,765
18,591
+2.4% 12,653
11,605
6,945 7,112
+6.3% +9.0%
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 23
Auglaize County
Employment Overview
19,280 19,598
16,438 17,257
-15.3%
-8.1%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 1,067
’08: 981 -10.6%
10.0% Rank: 59 (1=highest)
-11.2%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 7,688
’08: 6,828 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-4.6%
Private Sector $35,792 Trade, Transport., ’00: 2,942
Federal Government $46,745 and Utilities ’08: 2,806 -6.2%
State Government $47,940
Local Government $34,391 +43.3%
Information ’00: 164
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 235 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 5,718
Income Less than $60,000 16,579 -2.8%
Financial ’00: 352
Activities ’08: 342
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-25.1%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 900
Income 61% 74% Bus. Services ’08: 674 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +135.4%
Education and ’00: 967
Health Services ’08: 2,276
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 39% 26% -14.8%
Leisure and ’00: 1,636
Hospitality ’08: 1,394 +2.8%
Other Indicators +39.0%
Other Services ’00: 656
Average Transfer
’08: 912 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,236
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $4,775 Suppressed '00: 66 '08: 809
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
24 State of the State
Belmont County
Employment Overview
23,507 23,561
19,503 19,521
+0.7%
+6.6%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 1,091
’08: 1,163 -10.6%
9.7% Rank: 65 (1=highest)
-28.0%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 1,670
’08: 1,202 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-15.6%
Private Sector $29,118 Trade, Transport., ’00: 6,655
Federal Government $48,004 and Utilities ’08: 5,620 -6.2%
State Government $44,618
Local Government $30,457 -0.8%
Information ’00: 473
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 469 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 6,264
Income Less than $60,000 24,321 -0.7%
Financial ’00: 845
Activities ’08: 839
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-8.4%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 1,017
Income 53% 68% Bus. Services ’08: 932 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +8.2%
Education and ’00: 3,782
Health Services ’08: 4,092
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 47% 32% +13.2%
Leisure and ’00: 2,495
Hospitality ’08: 2,825 +2.8%
Other Indicators -4.3%
Other Services ’00: 747
Average Transfer
’08: 715 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $7,176
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $7,198 Suppressed '00: 1 '08: 400
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 25
Brown County
Employment Overview
7,996
7,370
2,049 2,397
+8.5% +5.2%
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
26 State of the State
Butler County
Employment Overview
146,481
125,347 126,804
107,377
+10.0%
+9.7%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 7,832
’08: 8,593 -10.6%
9.4% Rank: 67 (1=highest)
-6.1%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 21,825
’08: 20,496 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+31.7%
Private Sector $39,231 Trade, Transport., ’00: 27,967
Federal Government $53,641 and Utilities ’08: 36,828 -6.2%
State Government $42,026
Local Government $42,026 -12.8%
Information ’00: 1,125
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 981 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 51,522
Income Less than $60,000 113,160 +32.3%
Financial ’00: 6,667
Activities ’08: 8,823
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+10.3%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 13,821
Income 69% 81% Bus. Services ’08: 15,241 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +38.9%
Education and ’00: 13,154
Health Services ’08: 18,274
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 31% 19% +22.2%
Leisure and ’00: 11,214
Hospitality ’08: 13,700 +2.8%
Other Indicators +2.1%
Other Services ’00: 3,589
Average Transfer
’08: 3,666 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $4,934
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,896 Suppressed '00: 0 '08: 0
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 27
Carroll County
Employment Overview
6,576
5,950 5,621
4,900
+12.9%
-5.2%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 269
’08: 255 -10.6%
13.5% Rank: 13 (1=highest)
-33.4%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 2,097
’08: 1,396 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+1.6%
Private Sector $27,531 Trade, Transport., ’00: 1,244
Federal Government $40,659 and Utilities ’08: 1,264 -6.2%
State Government $50,557
Local Government $29,008 -60.2%
Information ’00: 93
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 37 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 2,542
Income Less than $60,000 10,196 -43.4%
Financial ’00: 122
Activities ’08: 69
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-35.3%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 286
Income 49% 64% Bus. Services ’08: 185 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: –
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 51% 36% -8.9%
Leisure and ’00: 650
Hospitality ’08: 592 +2.8%
Other Indicators +13.2%
Other Services ’00: 189
Average Transfer
’08: 214 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,293
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $4,250 Suppressed '00: 654 '08: 888
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
28 State of the State
Champaign County
Employment Overview
11,277
10,277
9,312
8,269
+7.2%
-10.1%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 337
’08: 303 -10.6%
11.5% Rank: 39 (1=highest)
-18.4%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 3,706
’08: 3,023 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-7.2%
Private Sector $34,475 Trade, Transport., ’00: 1,617
Federal Government $41,512 and Utilities ’08: 1,501 -6.2%
State Government $47,143
Local Government $33,966 -35.0%
Information ’00: 140
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 91 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 4,343
Income Less than $60,000 13,399 -20.6%
Financial ’00: 281
Activities ’08: 223
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-56.2%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 764
Income 55% 69% Bus. Services ’08: 335 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 974
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 45% 31% +6.3%
Leisure and ’00: 893
Hospitality ’08: 949 +2.8%
Other Indicators -7.0%
Other Services ’00: 345
Average Transfer
’08: 321 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,169
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,634 Suppressed '00: 255 '08: 1,523
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 29
Clark County
Employment Overview
57,344
50,276 49,579
42,943
-7.5%
-32.0%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 2,048
’08: 1,393 -10.6%
10.4% Rank: 57 (1=highest)
-47.3%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 13,759
’08: 7,253 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-28.3%
Private Sector $32,327 Trade, Transport., ’00: 12,552
Federal Government $57,489 and Utilities ’08: 9,005 -6.2%
State Government $47,938
Local Government $35,541 -52.5%
Information ’00: 602
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 286 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 14,695
Income Less than $60,000 48,072 +91.7%
Financial ’00: 1,319
Activities ’08: 2,528
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+24.8%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 3,559
Income 56% 70% Bus. Services ’08: 4,442 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +5.2%
Education and ’00: 8,483
Health Services ’08: 8,925
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 44% 30% -0.9%
Leisure and ’00: 5,070
Hospitality ’08: 5,024 +2.8%
Other Indicators +4.8%
Other Services ’00: 1,909
Average Transfer
’08: 2,001 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,559
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $7,287 Suppressed '00: 278 '08: 2,042
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
30 State of the State
Clermont County
Employment Overview
56,081
48,745 48,534
42,386
+19.0%
-16.1%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 3,582
’08: 3,007 -10.6%
9.8% Rank: 62 (1=highest)
-28.9%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 8,294
’08: 5,901 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+32.2%
Private Sector $37,198 Trade, Transport., ’00: 11,060
Federal Government $55,414 and Utilities ’08: 14,625 -6.2%
State Government $37,190
Local Government $39,034 -16.3%
Information ’00: 1,415
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 1,185 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 28,942
Income Less than $60,000 61,330 +47.8%
Financial ’00: 2,492
Activities ’08: 3,684
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+24.8%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 4,470
Income 69% 81% Bus. Services ’08: 5,579 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +41.9%
Education and ’00: 4,171
Health Services ’08: 5,917
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 31% 19% +48.6%
Leisure and ’00: 4,536
Hospitality ’08: 6,741 +2.8%
Other Indicators +8.8%
Other Services ’00: 1,696
Average Transfer
’08: 1,845 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $4,532
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $3,259 Suppressed '00: 670 '08: 50
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 31
Clinton County
Employment Overview
25,054 25,128
22,038 21,811
+11.0%
-21.3%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 362
’08: 285 -10.6%
15.0% Rank: 4 (1=highest)
-16.8%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 4,792
’08: 3,985 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+305.0%
Private Sector $43,209 Trade, Transport., ’00: 2,842
Federal Government $63,514 and Utilities ’08: 11,511 -6.2%
State Government $49,909
Local Government $36,557 -45.3%
Information ’00: 539
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 295 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 4,814
Income Less than $60,000 15,689 -18.6%
Financial ’00: 725
Activities ’08: 590
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-7.2%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 1,242
Income 55% 69% Bus. Services ’08: 1,153 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 854
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 45% 31% +0.4%
Leisure and ’00: 1,335
Hospitality ’08: 1,340 +2.8%
Other Indicators -13.8%
Other Services ’00: 377
Average Transfer
’08: 325 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,226
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,476 Suppressed '00: 8,970 '08: 2,327
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
32 State of the State
Columbiana County
Employment Overview
33,946
30,808 29,261
26,279
-4.2%
-25.4%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 1,474
’08: 1,099 -10.6%
13.0% Rank: 19 (1=highest)
-28.4%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 9,054
’08: 6,485 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-8.6%
Private Sector $28,881 Trade, Transport., ’00: 6,801
Federal Government $56,812 and Utilities ’08: 6,218 -6.2%
State Government $39,508
Local Government $32,880 -47.0%
Information ’00: 300
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 159 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 9,716
Income Less than $60,000 37,955 -11.1%
Financial ’00: 809
Activities ’08: 719
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-4.3%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 2,272
Income 52% 67% Bus. Services ’08: 2,175 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +21.2%
Education and ’00: 4,427
Health Services ’08: 5,367
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 48% 33% +2.4%
Leisure and ’00: 2,779
Hospitality ’08: 2,847 +2.8%
Other Indicators -5.7%
Other Services ’00: 1,037
Average Transfer
’08: 978 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,417
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $6,322 Suppressed '00: 102 '08: -2
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 33
Coshocton County
Employment Overview
13,904
11,418 12,156
-5.9% 9,804
-17.9% 1,653
-19.3%
1,555
-16.6%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 308
’08: 257 -10.6%
12.4% Rank: 24 (1=highest)
-32.0%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 4,377
’08: 2,975 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-8.8%
Private Sector $33,563 Trade, Transport., ’00: 2,335
Federal Government $49,053 and Utilities ’08: 2,130 -6.2%
State Government $46,644
Local Government $31,688 +16.4%
Information ’00: 73
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 85 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 2,940
Income Less than $60,000 13,102 +6.9%
Financial ’00: 231
Activities ’08: 247
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-22.1%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 1,287
Income 48% 62% Bus. Services ’08: 1,002 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 -8.8%
Education and ’00: 2,007
Health Services ’08: 1,830
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 52% 38% -18.3%
Leisure and ’00: 1,013
Hospitality ’08: 828 +2.8%
Other Indicators -24.9%
Other Services ’00: 418
Average Transfer
’08: 314 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,066
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,330 Suppressed '00: -1 '08: -4
34 State of the State
Crawford County
Employment Overview
17,255
14,216 15,003
-5.3% 12,224
-17.6% 2,104
-18.5%
1,993
-31.3%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 543
’08: 373 -10.6%
13.3% Rank: 14 (1=highest)
-37.8%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 6,681
’08: 4,158 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-18.1%
Private Sector $29,256 Trade, Transport., ’00: 2,374
Federal Government $43,501 and Utilities ’08: 1,944 -6.2%
State Government $52,205
Local Government $33,426 -42.3%
Information ’00: 142
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 82 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 3,831
Income Less than $60,000 17,496 +0.2%
Financial ’00: 605
Activities ’08: 606
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-38.7%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 815
Income 45% 59% Bus. Services ’08: 500 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 1,768
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 55% 41% -6.5%
Leisure and ’00: 1,344
Hospitality ’08: 1,256 +2.8%
Other Indicators -18.7%
Other Services ’00: 540
Average Transfer
’08: 439 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,437
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $6,112 Suppressed '00: 191 '08: 2,866
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 35
Cuyahoga County
Employment Overview
798,575
715,087 714,352
631,414
-0.3%
-10.5% -11.6%
83,666 83,421
-20.6%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 28,963
’08: 22,995 -10.6%
9.2% Rank: 68 (1=highest)
-31.7%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 116,789
’08: 79,815 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-17.7%
Private Sector $45,602 Trade, Transport., ’00: 156,721
Federal Government $67,458 and Utilities ’08: 128,958 -6.2%
State Government $56,461
Local Government $46,065 -23.8%
Information ’00: 19,903
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 15,173 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 155,416
Income Less than $60,000 449,504 -16.3%
Financial ’00: 53,035
Activities ’08: 44,366
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-7.4%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 131,247
Income 69% 82% Bus. Services ’08: 121,506 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +17.6%
Education and ’00: 114,589
Health Services ’08: 134,756
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 31% 18% -6.3%
Leisure and ’00: 65,769
Hospitality ’08: 61,635 +2.8%
Other Indicators -18.8%
Other Services ’00: 26,942
Average Transfer
’08: 21,876 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,913
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $8,576 Suppressed '00: -1 '08: 1
36 State of the State
Darke County
Employment Overview
18,960
17,754
16,172 15,528
+3.9%
-6.4% 2,226
-4.0%
2,142
-24.4%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 1,251
’08: 946 -10.6%
10.8% Rank: 51 (1=highest)
-5.0%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 4,423
’08: 4,201 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+0.2%
Private Sector $30,986 Trade, Transport., ’00: 3,744
Federal Government $43,887 and Utilities ’08: 3,750 -6.2%
State Government $42,369
Local Government $33,276 -28.1%
Information ’00: 171
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 123 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 4,995
Income Less than $60,000 20,059 +0.5%
Financial ’00: 609
Activities ’08: 612
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-39.9%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 1,363
Income 53% 68% Bus. Services ’08: 819 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +10.0%
Education and ’00: 1,985
Health Services ’08: 2,184
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 47% 32% +2.8%
Leisure and ’00: 1,255
Hospitality ’08: 1,290 +2.8%
Other Indicators -10.7%
Other Services ’00: 626
Average Transfer
’08: 559 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,273
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,290 Suppressed '00: 745 '08: 1,044
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 37
Defiance County
Employment Overview
18,412
16,725 16,434
14,693
+0.5%
-9.2% -10.6%
1,979 1,989
-28.5%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 695
’08: 497 -10.6%
12.2% Rank: 27 (1=highest)
-31.0%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 6,609
’08: 4,560 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-8.9%
Private Sector $36,193 Trade, Transport., ’00: 3,722
Federal Government $47,097 and Utilities ’08: 3,390 -6.2%
State Government $47,546
Local Government $34,542 -7.7%
Information ’00: 310
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 286 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 4,758
Income Less than $60,000 14,330 +31.4%
Financial ’00: 477
Activities ’08: 627
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-7.8%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 896
Income 58% 72% Bus. Services ’08: 826 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 1,593
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 42% 28% +3.1%
Leisure and ’00: 1,536
Hospitality ’08: 1,583 +2.8%
Other Indicators -1.8%
Other Services ’00: 571
Average Transfer
’08: 561 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,448
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,487 Suppressed '00: 25 '08: 2,363
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
38 State of the State
Delaware County
Employment Overview
69,395
61,430
+69.1%
34,854
30,139
+99.1% +103.8%
4,571 7,728
+9.9%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 2,405
’08: 2,644 -10.6%
7.2% Rank: 87 (1=highest)
+21.4%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 5,037
’08: 6,113 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+99.5%
Private Sector $46,121 Trade, Transport., ’00: 7,521
Federal Government $50,739 and Utilities ’08: 15,008 -6.2%
State Government $49,221
Local Government $40,972 +286.2%
Information ’00: 232
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 896 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 37,149
Income Less than $60,000 38,806 +107.0%
Financial ’00: 2,104
Activities ’08: 4,356
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+211.3%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 4,717
Income 86% 92% Bus. Services ’08: 14,684 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +113.2%
Education and ’00: 2,846
Health Services ’08: 6,069
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 14% 18% +126.0%
Leisure and ’00: 4,320
Hospitality ’08: 9,765 +2.8%
Other Indicators +146.0%
Other Services ’00: 746
Average Transfer
’08: 1,835 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $3,197
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $4,398 Suppressed '00: 211 '08: -2
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 39
Erie County
Employment Overview
39,931
36,734 34,594
31,524
+1.7%
-34.5%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 1,469
’08: 962 -10.6%
11.0% Rank: 49 (1=highest)
-44.9%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 9,989
’08: 5,504 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-8.6%
Private Sector $32,572 Trade, Transport., ’00: 6,792
Federal Government $56,070 and Utilities ’08: 6,208 -6.2%
State Government $39,607
Local Government $40,192 -27.0%
Information ’00: 500
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 365 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 9,598
Income Less than $60,000 28,339 -8.1%
Financial ’00: 658
Activities ’08: 605
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+22.2%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 1,846
Income 62% 76% Bus. Services ’08: 2,255 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +25.1%
Education and ’00: 4,121
Health Services ’08: 5,155
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 38% 24% +17.2%
Leisure and ’00: 7,276
Hospitality ’08: 8,530 +2.8%
Other Indicators -35.4%
Other Services ’00: 1,355
Average Transfer
’08: 875 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,239
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $6,213 Suppressed '00: 399 '08: 1,065
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
40 State of the State
Fairfield County
Employment Overview
39,762
34,347
31,594
+17.9% 27,400
+1.0%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 1,865
’08: 1,884 -10.6%
8.6% Rank: 79 (1=highest)
-17.0%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 5,949
’08: 4,940 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+21.7%
Private Sector $29,365 Trade, Transport., ’00: 6,775
Federal Government $48,738 and Utilities ’08: 8,245 -6.2%
State Government $44,488
Local Government $38,919 -2.1%
Information ’00: 337
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 330 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 20,479
Income Less than $60,000 43,701 +16.3%
Financial ’00: 723
Activities ’08: 841
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+47.1%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 3,171
Income 67% 79% Bus. Services ’08: 4,663 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +27.8%
Education and ’00: 3,343
Health Services ’08: 4,274
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 33% 21% +31.7%
Leisure and ’00: 3,806
Hospitality ’08: 5,012 +2.8%
Other Indicators -2.9%
Other Services ’00: 1,410
Average Transfer
’08: 1,369 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $4,603
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $3,913 Suppressed '00: 0 '08: -1
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 41
Fayette County
Employment Overview
11,786
10,883
10,071
9,357
+12.3%
+13.2%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 258
’08: 292 -10.6%
11.9% Rank: 34 (1=highest)
-21.2%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 2,897
’08: 2,284 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+44.1%
Private Sector $28,583 Trade, Transport., ’00: 2,432
Federal Government $46,740 and Utilities ’08: 3,504 -6.2%
State Government $45,235
Local Government $34,656 -20.8%
Information ’00: 77
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 61 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 2,357
Income Less than $60,000 10,843 +76.8%
Financial ’00: 241
Activities ’08: 426
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-15.2%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 474
Income 48% 63% Bus. Services ’08: 402 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 789
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 52% 37% +8.7%
Leisure and ’00: 1,093
Hospitality ’08: 1,188 +2.8%
Other Indicators -7.6%
Other Services ’00: 211
Average Transfer
’08: 195 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,092
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,820 Suppressed '00: 885 '08: 1,719
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
42 State of the State
Franklin County
Employment Overview
688,814 667,330
596,330 568,116
+7.2%
-25.4%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 31,878
’08: 23,789 -10.6%
8.4% Rank: 82 (1=highest)
-32.9%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 59,103
’08: 39,653 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-9.5%
Private Sector $43,867 Trade, Transport., ’00: 156,199
Federal Government $62,896 and Utilities ’08: 141,402 -6.2%
State Government $48,235
Local Government $47,959 -28.1%
Information ’00: 21,514
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 15,467 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 146,018
Income Less than $60,000 393,248 -8.0%
Financial ’00: 49,679
Activities ’08: 45,714
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+3.3%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 124,211
Income 67% 80% Bus. Services ’08: 128,308 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +29.1%
Education and ’00: 69,244
Health Services ’08: 89,417
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 33% 20% +3.6%
Leisure and ’00: 61,188
Hospitality ’08: 63,372 +2.8%
Other Indicators -9.5%
Other Services ’00: 22,945
Average Transfer
’08: 20,758 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,089
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $7,793 Suppressed '00: -1 '08: -1
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 43
Fulton County
Employment Overview
21,382
19,605 18,999
16,701
+23.3%
-17.1%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 959
’08: 795 -10.6%
13.0% Rank: 19 (1=highest)
-26.3%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 10,144
’08: 7,475 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-16.1%
Private Sector $33,189 Trade, Transport., ’00: 2,924
Federal Government $47,443 and Utilities ’08: 2,454 -6.2%
State Government $50,590
Local Government $31,434 +0.8%
Information ’00: 119
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 120 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 5,451
Income Less than $60,000 15,541 -20.1%
Financial ’00: 432
Activities ’08: 345
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-2.4%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 843
Income 58% 71% Bus. Services ’08: 823 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 1,560
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 42% 29% +4.7%
Leisure and ’00: 1,462
Hospitality ’08: 1,531 +2.8%
Other Indicators -24.1%
Other Services ’00: 477
Average Transfer
’08: 362 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,159
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $4,848 Suppressed '00: 79 '08: 2,796
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
44 State of the State
Gallia County
Employment Overview
11,898 11,877
9,901 9,890
+1.7%
+150.5%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 315
’08: 789 -10.6%
9.2% Rank: 68 (1=highest)
-40.6%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 1,063
’08: 631 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-19.0%
Private Sector $36,757 Trade, Transport., ’00: 3,468
Federal Government $41,787 and Utilities ’08: 2,810 -6.2%
State Government $37,284
Local Government $31,876 -39.8%
Information ’00: 133
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 80 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 2,545
Income Less than $60,000 9,740 +9.1%
Financial ’00: 362
Activities ’08: 395
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+39.1%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 358
Income 56% 72% Bus. Services ’08: 498 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 2,534
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 44% 28% -7.6%
Leisure and ’00: 1,017
Hospitality ’08: 940 +2.8%
Other Indicators -19.6%
Other Services ’00: 347
Average Transfer
’08: 279 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $8,288
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $7,426 Suppressed '00: 304 '08: 3,468
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 45
Geauga County
Employment Overview
33,118 34,629
29,320 30,415
+11.6%
+4.6% +3.7%
3,556 3,967
+0.7%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 2,101
’08: 2,116 -10.6%
7.4% Rank: 86 (1=highest)
-15.7%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 10,480
’08: 8,834 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+29.4%
Private Sector $35,539 Trade, Transport., ’00: 5,079
Federal Government $44,796 and Utilities ’08: 6,573 -6.2%
State Government $40,685
Local Government $37,434 -14.9%
Information ’00: 194
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 165 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 16,964
Income Less than $60,000 28,409 +33.9%
Financial ’00: 519
Activities ’08: 695
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+15.1%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 2,849
Income 81% 90% Bus. Services ’08: 3,279 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +40.2%
Education and ’00: 3,109
Health Services ’08: 4,359
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 19% 10% -12.8%
Leisure and ’00: 3,557
Hospitality ’08: 3,102 +2.8%
Other Indicators -6.0%
Other Services ’00: 1,304
Average Transfer
’08: 1,226 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $4,411
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $3,131 Suppressed '00: 128 '08: 0
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
46 State of the State
Greene County
Employment Overview
55,737
49,714 46,486
41,122
+9.1%
+20.6%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 1,557
’08: 1,877 -10.6%
10.0% Rank: 59 (1=highest)
-26.1%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 4,859
’08: 3,593 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-8.6%
Private Sector $35,663 Trade, Transport., ’00: 11,935
Federal Government $80,642 and Utilities ’08: 10,911 -6.2%
State Government $44,003
Local Government $44,003 +68.7%
Information ’00: 911
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 1,537 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 24,381
Income Less than $60,000 47,502 -12.7%
Financial ’00: 1,511
Activities ’08: 1,319
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+51.1%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 7,122
Income 72% 83% Bus. Services ’08: 10,764 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +17.6%
Education and ’00: 5,856
Health Services ’08: 6,884
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 28% 17% +28.5%
Leisure and ’00: 5,956
Hospitality ’08: 7,654 +2.8%
Other Indicators -9.7%
Other Services ’00: 1,268
Average Transfer
’08: 1,145 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $4,401
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $16,843 Suppressed '00: 147 '08: 802
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 47
Guernsey County
Employment Overview
14,144 14,019
11,488 11,649
-9.8%
-11.0%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 593
’08: 528 -10.6%
11.6% Rank: 36 (1=highest)
+8.7%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 2,683
’08: 2,917 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-0.6%
Private Sector $30,801 Trade, Transport., ’00: 2,478
Federal Government $43,756 and Utilities ’08: 2,463 -6.2%
State Government $44,699
Local Government $31,602 -13.2%
Information ’00: 167
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 145 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 2,904
Income Less than $60,000 14,765 +4.9%
Financial ’00: 246
Activities ’08: 258
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-55.4%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 1,360
Income 46% 62% Bus. Services ’08: 607 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +14.3%
Education and ’00: 2,012
Health Services ’08: 2,299
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 54% 38% +2.2%
Leisure and ’00: 1,465
Hospitality ’08: 1,497 +2.8%
Other Indicators -7.0%
Other Services ’00: 374
Average Transfer
’08: 348 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,895
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $6,383 Suppressed '00: -1 '08: 587
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
48 State of the State
Hamilton County
Employment Overview
556,125
506,312 509,616
461,313
-3.2%
-9.0% -9.5%
46,305 44,808
-14.0%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 26,519
’08: 22,805 -10.6%
9.2% Rank: 68 (1=highest)
-26.3%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 75,697
’08: 55,792 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-19.6%
Private Sector $48,959 Trade, Transport., ’00: 108,961
Federal Government $64,830 and Utilities ’08: 87,593 -6.2%
State Government $50,076
Local Government $42,172 -33.9%
Information ’00: 14,073
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 9,302 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 109,557
Income Less than $60,000 273,666 -9.1%
Financial ’00: 26,175
Activities ’08: 23,791
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-3.8%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 111,981
Income 74% 86% Bus. Services ’08: 107,710 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +17.2%
Education and ’00: 76,858
Health Services ’08: 90,076
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 26% 14% -4.3%
Leisure and ’00: 48,559
Hospitality ’08: 46,469 +2.8%
Other Indicators -14.4%
Other Services ’00: 20,490
Average Transfer
’08: 17,534 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,805
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $10,050 Suppressed '00: -1 '08: -3
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 49
Hancock County
Employment Overview
41,509 42,002
38,406 38,394
+14.4%
+1.2% 0.0%
3,103 3,549
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
50 State of the State
Hardin County
Employment Overview
8,804
8,173
7,156
6,513
-6.4%
-46.3%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 242
’08: 130 -10.6%
11.5% Rank: 39 (1=highest)
-21.0%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 2,664
’08: 2,104 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-8.7%
Private Sector $32,438 Trade, Transport., ’00: 1,465
Federal Government $41,105 and Utilities ’08: 1,337 -6.2%
State Government $45,316
Local Government $29,836 +13.0%
Information ’00: 77
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 87 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 2,796
Income Less than $60,000 10,675 +35.9%
Financial ’00: 153
Activities ’08: 208
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+23.2%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 198
Income 50% 63% Bus. Services ’08: 244 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 678
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 50% 37% +15.2%
Leisure and ’00: 794
Hospitality ’08: 915 +2.8%
Other Indicators -5.8%
Other Services ’00: 241
Average Transfer
’08: 227 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,030
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $4,620 Suppressed '00: 644 '08: 1,261
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 51
Harrison County
Employment Overview
3,824
3,515
2,913 2,697
-8.0%
-50.2%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 203
’08: 101 -10.6%
11.6% Rank: 36 (1=highest)
-12.4%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 701
’08: 614 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-3.9%
Private Sector $30,177 Trade, Transport., ’00: 592
Federal Government $39,067 and Utilities ’08: 569 -6.2%
State Government $45,418
Local Government $26,190 -30.4%
Information ’00: 23
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 16 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 1,106
Income Less than $60,000 5,674 County % change n/a*
Financial ’00: –
Activities ’08: –
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-71.0%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 124
Income 61% 79% Bus. Services ’08: 36 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 526
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 39% 21% -18.0%
Leisure and ’00: 284
Hospitality ’08: 233 +2.8%
Other Indicators -41.7%
Other Services ’00: 103
Average Transfer
’08: 60 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $7,003
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $7,203 Suppressed '00: 58 '08: 741
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
52 State of the State
Henry County
Employment Overview
11,483 11,208
9,289 9,173
-2.5%
-4.4%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 616
’08: 589 -10.6%
12.3% Rank: 25 (1=highest)
-9.6%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 3,641
’08: 3,292 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-7.4%
Private Sector $35,023 Trade, Transport., ’00: 1,988
Federal Government $45,539 and Utilities ’08: 1,841 -6.2%
State Government $46,689
Local Government $33,314 +11.7%
Information ’00: 103
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 115 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 3,518
Income Less than $60,000 10,256 +16.1%
Financial ’00: 255
Activities ’08: 296
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-48.2%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 542
Income 57% 70% Bus. Services ’08: 281 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +30.7%
Education and ’00: 1,038
Health Services ’08: 1,357
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 43% 30% -13.5%
Leisure and ’00: 667
Hospitality ’08: 577 +2.8%
Other Indicators +34.9%
Other Services ’00: 292
Average Transfer
’08: 394 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,410
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,111 Suppressed '00: 147 '08: 431
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 53
Highland County
Employment Overview
11,350 10,911
9,292
8,273
+27.0%
-27.9%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 416
’08: 300 -10.6%
16.1% Rank: 1 (1=highest)
-36.9%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 3,326
’08: 2,100 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
0.0%
Private Sector $27,602 Trade, Transport., ’00: 2,112
Federal Government $45,249 and Utilities ’08: 2,112 -6.2%
State Government $40,070
Local Government $34,230 -17.9%
Information ’00: 392
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 322 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 3,208
Income Less than $60,000 15,449 +33.2%
Financial ’00: 328
Activities ’08: 437
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-34.8%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 460
Income 45% 59% Bus. Services ’08: 300 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 914
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 55% 41% +3.3%
Leisure and ’00: 951
Hospitality ’08: 982 +2.8%
Other Indicators +13.9%
Other Services ’00: 237
Average Transfer
’08: 270 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,917
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,616 Suppressed '00: 9 '08: 1,397
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
54 State of the State
Hocking County
Employment Overview
6,710 6,862
5,079 5,000
+14.5%
1,604 1,837
+2.3% -1.6%
-12.4%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 371
’08: 325 -10.6%
11.3% Rank: 47 (1=highest)
-43.0%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 1,662
’08: 948 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-3.8%
Private Sector $25,555 Trade, Transport., ’00: 1,069
Federal Government $41,446 and Utilities ’08: 1,028 -6.2%
State Government $54,150
Local Government $33,959 -15.3%
Information ’00: 59
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 50 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 2,260
Income Less than $60,000 10,135 +28.2%
Financial ’00: 142
Activities ’08: 182
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+24.3%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 251
Income 47% 61% Bus. Services ’08: 312 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +23.8%
Education and ’00: 488
Health Services ’08: 604
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 53% 39% +53.6%
Leisure and ’00: 704
Hospitality ’08: 1,081 +2.8%
Other Indicators +16.7%
Other Services ’00: 228
Average Transfer
’08: 266 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,124
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,087 Suppressed '00: 105 '08: -2
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 55
Holmes County
Employment Overview
16,863
15,812 14,955
14,198
+20.7%
+6.6% +5.3%
1,432 1,729
+94.6%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 900
’08: 1,751 -10.6%
7.2% Rank: 87 (1=highest)
-7.1%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 6,490
’08: 6,027 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-2.7%
Private Sector $28,587 Trade, Transport., ’00: 2,675
Federal Government $43,014 and Utilities ’08: 2,602 -6.2%
State Government $42,134
Local Government $32,378 -31.9%
Information ’00: 119
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 81 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 2,305
Income Less than $60,000 12,240 +3.0%
Financial ’00: 329
Activities ’08: 339
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+33.6%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 794
Income 48% 66% Bus. Services ’08: 1,061 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 1,131
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 52% 34% +10.3%
Leisure and ’00: 1,162
Hospitality ’08: 1,282 +2.8%
Other Indicators -51.3%
Other Services ’00: 392
Average Transfer
’08: 191 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $2,995
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $2,235 Suppressed '00: 36 '08: 1,501
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
56 State of the State
Huron County
Employment Overview
27,051
23,636
21,943
19,319
-4.3%
-18.9% -18.3%
2,742 2,624
-4.3%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 1,526
’08: 1,460 -10.6%
13.7% Rank: 11 (1=highest)
-37.7%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 10,669
’08: 6,649 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-23.9%
Private Sector $34,060 Trade, Transport., ’00: 4,229
Federal Government $42,703 and Utilities ’08: 3,217 -6.2%
State Government $50,381
Local Government $33,500 -44.1%
Information ’00: 497
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 278 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 6,183
Income Less than $60,000 22,772 +5.4%
Financial ’00: 428
Activities ’08: 451
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-14.1%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 1,217
Income 52% 67% Bus. Services ’08: 1,045 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 1,987
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 48% 33% -18.5%
Leisure and ’00: 2,051
Hospitality ’08: 1,672 +2.8%
Other Indicators -9.3%
Other Services ’00: 782
Average Transfer
’08: 709 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,471
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,403 Suppressed '00: 250 '08: 3,838
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 57
Jackson County
Employment Overview
11,149 11,079
9,386 9,377
+16.8%
+3.0%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 365
’08: 376 -10.6%
10.7% Rank: 53 (1=highest)
-7.9%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 3,719
’08: 3,424 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-19.4%
Private Sector $28,988 Trade, Transport., ’00: 2,118
Federal Government $44,237 and Utilities ’08: 1,707 -6.2%
State Government $50,751
Local Government $32,235 -11.3%
Information ’00: 97
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 86 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 2,370
Income Less than $60,000 11,407 +5.9%
Financial ’00: 303
Activities ’08: 321
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+81.4%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 377
Income 49% 66% Bus. Services ’08: 684 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +34.9%
Education and ’00: 915
Health Services ’08: 1,234
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 51% 34% +15.7%
Leisure and ’00: 807
Hospitality ’08: 934 +2.8%
Other Indicators -17.3%
Other Services ’00: 295
Average Transfer
’08: 244 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,508
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $6,510 Suppressed '00: 62 '08: 163
58 State of the State
Jefferson County
Employment Overview
25,190 25,825
21,453 22,267
-4.8%
+95.3%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 1,257
’08: 2,455 -10.6%
13.7% Rank: 11 (1=highest)
-25.2%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 3,876
’08: 2,899 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+16.8%
Private Sector $37,985 Trade, Transport., ’00: 5,317
Federal Government $50,316 and Utilities ’08: 6,208 -6.2%
State Government $51,847
Local Government $29,796 -23.0%
Information ’00: 736
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 567 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 6,762
Income Less than $60,000 24,001 -20.8%
Financial ’00: 559
Activities ’08: 443
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-2.8%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 1,666
Income 56% 71% Bus. Services ’08: 1,619 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 4,612
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 44% 29% -1.7%
Leisure and ’00: 2,082
Hospitality ’08: 2,046 +2.8%
Other Indicators -26.0%
Other Services ’00: 1,016
Average Transfer
’08: 752 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $8,020
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $8,977 Suppressed '00: 282 '08: 5,278
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 59
Knox County
Employment Overview
19,418
17,589
16,428
14,806
+8.5%
-7.3%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 752
’08: 697 -10.6%
9.1% Rank: 74 (1=highest)
-3.1%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 4,645
’08: 4,501 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+9.7%
Private Sector $35,815 Trade, Transport., ’00: 2,787
Federal Government $45,234 and Utilities ’08: 3,057 -6.2%
State Government $36,400
Local Government $32,188 +57.1%
Information ’00: 189
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 297 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 6,059
Income Less than $60,000 19,728 +22.5%
Financial ’00: 351
Activities ’08: 430
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+25.7%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 783
Income 61% 76% Bus. Services ’08: 984 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +28.0%
Education and ’00: 3,086
Health Services ’08: 3,950
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 39% 24% +13.4%
Leisure and ’00: 1,545
Hospitality ’08: 1,752 +2.8%
Other Indicators +9.1%
Other Services ’00: 571
Average Transfer
’08: 623 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,867
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $4,924 Suppressed '00: 0 '08: -1
60 State of the State
Lake County
Employment Overview
101,105 100,051
88,679 87,111
+5.5%
-1.0% 12,027
-1.8%
11,399
-17.1%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 4,872
’08: 4,040 -10.6%
8.5% Rank: 80 (1=highest)
-21.3%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 27,361
’08: 21,529 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+11.3%
Private Sector $36,803 Trade, Transport., ’00: 19,495
Federal Government $58,091 and Utilities ’08: 21,704 -6.2%
State Government $49,476
Local Government $39,771 -18.6%
Information ’00: 1,009
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 821 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 34,389
Income Less than $60,000 82,641 -0.3%
Financial ’00: 2,080
Activities ’08: 2,074
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+4.3%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 10,326
Income 65% 77% Bus. Services ’08: 10,767 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +25.0%
Education and ’00: 9,936
Health Services ’08: 12,419
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 35% 23% +12.3%
Leisure and ’00: 9,107
Hospitality ’08: 10,227 +2.8%
Other Indicators -7.5%
Other Services ’00: 3,516
Average Transfer
’08: 3,253 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,543
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $4,941 Suppressed '00: 977 '08: 0
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 61
Lawrence County
Employment Overview
12,283 12,691
9,711
-12.5% 8,864
3,408 2,981
+3.3% +9.6%
+1.7%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 844
’08: 858 -10.6%
7.9% Rank: 85 (1=highest)
-10.4%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 781
’08: 700 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+10.1%
Private Sector $26,683 Trade, Transport., ’00: 3,056
Federal Government $44,961 and Utilities ’08: 3,366 -6.2%
State Government $31,716
Local Government $31,986 -8.9%
Information ’00: 90
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 82 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 4,957
Income Less than $60,000 20,699 -13.6%
Financial ’00: 323
Activities ’08: 279
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+11.4%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 674
Income 51% 66% Bus. Services ’08: 751 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +44.9%
Education and ’00: 1,556
Health Services ’08: 2,254
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 49% 34% -8.3%
Leisure and ’00: 1,172
Hospitality ’08: 1,075 +2.8%
Other Indicators +9.0%
Other Services ’00: 311
Average Transfer
’08: 339 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $7,663
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $8,028 Suppressed '00: 57 '08: 7
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
62 State of the State
Licking County
Employment Overview
53,717 53,503
46,108 45,504
+15.0%
+9.4%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 3,048
’08: 3,336 -10.6%
8.9% Rank: 75 (1=highest)
-22.3%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 9,552
’08: 7,425 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-4.7%
Private Sector $33,421 Trade, Transport., ’00: 11,436
Federal Government $57,020 and Utilities ’08: 10,901 -6.2%
State Government $52,970
Local Government $38,366 -4.0%
Information ’00: 526
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 505 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 21,772
Income Less than $60,000 53,914 -11.8%
Financial ’00: 2,695
Activities ’08: 2,377
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+18.4%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 4,997
Income 64% 77% Bus. Services ’08: 5,915 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +21.8%
Education and ’00: 6,055
Health Services ’08: 7,373
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 36% 23% +11.7%
Leisure and ’00: 5,394
Hospitality ’08: 6,026 +2.8%
Other Indicators -17.1%
Other Services ’00: 1,841
Average Transfer
’08: 1,526 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,030
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,448 Suppressed '00: 564 '08: -2
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 63
Logan County
Employment Overview
20,792 20,154
18,537 17,720
+6.4%
-3.1% -4.4%
2,192 2,333
-21.5%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 757
’08: 594 -10.6%
11.5% Rank: 39 (1=highest)
-8.6%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 6,646
’08: 6,077 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-8.0%
Private Sector $39,141 Trade, Transport., ’00: 3,919
Federal Government $50,921 and Utilities ’08: 3,604 -6.2%
State Government $39,509
Local Government $34,447 -13.8%
Information ’00: 130
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 112 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 5,748
Income Less than $60,000 16,609 -39.2%
Financial ’00: 490
Activities ’08: 298
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-24.0%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 2,954
Income 58% 71% Bus. Services ’08: 2,245 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +32.5%
Education and ’00: 1,509
Health Services ’08: 2,000
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 42% 29% -4.6%
Leisure and ’00: 1,516
Hospitality ’08: 1,447 +2.8%
Other Indicators +9.1%
Other Services ’00: 538
Average Transfer
’08: 587 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,382
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,478 Suppressed '00: 34 '08: 727
64 State of the State
Lorain County
Employment Overview
104,684
97,392
90,376
81,915
+6.4%
-28.0%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 6,339
’08: 4,563 -10.6%
9.5% Rank: 66 (1=highest)
-34.6%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 28,823
’08: 18,854 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+2.3%
Private Sector $35,647 Trade, Transport., ’00: 17,923
Federal Government $97,885 and Utilities ’08: 18,343 -6.2%
State Government $50,245
Local Government $39,938 -42.5%
Information ’00: 1,682
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 967 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 40,104
Income Less than $60,000 99,898 +4.2%
Financial ’00: 1,881
Activities ’08: 1,960
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+26.8%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 7,768
Income 65% 78% Bus. Services ’08: 9,850 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +14.9%
Education and ’00: 13,063
Health Services ’08: 15,007
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 35% 22% +9.1%
Leisure and ’00: 8,475
Hospitality ’08: 9,247 +2.8%
Other Indicators -22.3%
Other Services ’00: 3,987
Average Transfer
’08: 3,099 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,534
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,170 Suppressed '00: 435 '08: -1
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 65
Lucas County
Employment Overview
236,049
210,537 209,097
184,255
-2.3%
-10.8% -11.9%
26,483 25,867
-24.1%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 11,820
’08: 8,974 -10.6%
11.8% Rank: 35 (1=highest)
-34.3%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 32,980
’08: 21,668 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-16.0%
Private Sector $37,769 Trade, Transport., ’00: 50,946
Federal Government $58,963 and Utilities ’08: 42,804 -6.2%
State Government $48,004
Local Government $46,381 -12.8%
Information ’00: 3,348
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 2,919 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 50,825
Income Less than $60,000 145,497 +4.2%
Financial ’00: 6,062
Activities ’08: 6,319
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-15.8%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 34,255
Income 65% 79% Bus. Services ’08: 28,829 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +15.0%
Education and ’00: 37,027
Health Services ’08: 42,584
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 35% 21% -7.2%
Leisure and ’00: 23,690
Hospitality ’08: 21,994 +2.8%
Other Indicators -8.2%
Other Services ’00: 8,824
Average Transfer
’08: 8,099 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,629
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $6,514 Suppressed '00: -4 '08: -1
66 State of the State
Madison County
Employment Overview
13,836
12,925
9,882 10,567
+5.5%
-29.0%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 603
’08: 428 -10.6%
8.9% Rank: 75 (1=highest)
-14.0%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 3,480
’08: 2,994 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+39.4%
Private Sector $32,405 Trade, Transport., ’00: 1,996
Federal Government $46,476 and Utilities ’08: 2,783 -6.2%
State Government $48,336
Local Government $36,457 -10.2%
Information ’00: 59
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 53 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 5,025
Income Less than $60,000 13,378 +20.3%
Financial ’00: 148
Activities ’08: 178
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+78.2%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 772
Income 62% 75% Bus. Services ’08: 1,376 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 -27.4%
Education and ’00: 1,687
Health Services ’08: 1,225
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 38% 25% -1.0%
Leisure and ’00: 983
Hospitality ’08: 973 +2.8%
Other Indicators -2.0%
Other Services ’00: 151
Average Transfer
’08: 148 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $4,997
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,631 Suppressed '00: 3 '08: 409
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 67
Mahoning County
Employment Overview
111,043
100,440 97,056
86,904
-2.3%
-15.7%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 5,937
’08: 5,006 -10.6%
13.2% Rank: 15 (1=highest)
-21.2%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 12,492
’08: 9,838 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-10.3%
Private Sector $31,321 Trade, Transport., ’00: 26,111
Federal Government $59,081 and Utilities ’08: 23,411 -6.2%
State Government $45,213
Local Government $36,848 -6.6%
Information ’00: 2,097
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 1,959 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 25,089
Income Less than $60,000 84,313 -13.9%
Financial ’00: 3,376
Activities ’08: 2,908
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-15.2%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 13,912
Income 61% 76% Bus. Services ’08: 11,796 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +1.6%
Education and ’00: 17,974
Health Services ’08: 18,255
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 39% 24% -7.2%
Leisure and ’00: 10,718
Hospitality ’08: 9,941 +2.8%
Other Indicators -17.0%
Other Services ’00: 4,230
Average Transfer
’08: 3,509 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $7,223
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $7,613 Suppressed '00: 1 '08: 0
68 State of the State
Marion County
Employment Overview
28,485 27,135
22,732 21,455
-1.3%
-25.3%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 967
’08: 722 -10.6%
10.6% Rank: 55 (1=highest)
-1.2%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 7,021
’08: 6,935 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-26.6%
Private Sector $33,148 Trade, Transport., ’00: 5,051
Federal Government $47,248 and Utilities ’08: 3,707 -6.2%
State Government $48,816
Local Government $37,718 County % change n/a*
Information ’00: –
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 801 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 5,855
Income Less than $60,000 22,484 -0.2%
Financial ’00: 503
Activities ’08: 502
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-10.7%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 2,006
Income 52% 67% Bus. Services ’08: 1,792 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +39.3%
Education and ’00: 2,315
Health Services ’08: 3,224
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 48% 33% -1.6%
Leisure and ’00: 2,247
Hospitality ’08: 2,210 +2.8%
Other Indicators -14.5%
Other Services ’00: 880
Average Transfer
’08: 752 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,944
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,695 Suppressed '00: 1,693 '08: 810
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 69
Medina County
Employment Overview
59,659
52,811 52,292
46,438
+17.0%
+13.0% 7,214
+12.6%
6,165
+3.6%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 3,106
’08: 3,218 -10.6%
8.0% Rank: 83 (1=highest)
-16.2%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 11,345
’08: 9,503 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+6.0%
Private Sector $34,504 Trade, Transport., ’00: 10,969
Federal Government $55,464 and Utilities ’08: 11,626 -6.2%
State Government $49,305
Local Government $37,618 -6.6%
Information ’00: 512
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 478 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 29,873
Income Less than $60,000 53,192 +9.2%
Financial ’00: 986
Activities ’08: 1,077
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+14.2%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 7,909
Income 73% 83% Bus. Services ’08: 9,030 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +33.8%
Education and ’00: 4,998
Health Services ’08: 6,686
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 27% 17% +22.6%
Leisure and ’00: 5,130
Hospitality ’08: 6,290 +2.8%
Other Indicators +12.1%
Other Services ’00: 1,413
Average Transfer
’08: 1,584 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $4,449
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $3,734 Suppressed '00: 70 '08: 2,762
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
70 State of the State
Meigs County
Employment Overview
4,924
3,479 3,554
-13.6%
2,363
1,212 1,047
-29.3% -33.5%
-14.3%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 314
’08: 269 -10.6%
14.7% Rank: 6 (1=highest)
County % change n/a*
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: –
’08: 102 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-26.8%
Private Sector $23,424 Trade, Transport., ’00: 869
Federal Government $44,439 and Utilities ’08: 636 -6.2%
State Government $44,185
Local Government $29,812 County % change n/a*
Information ’00: –
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: – -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 1,732
Income Less than $60,000 7,343 +8.0%
Financial ’00: 150
Activities ’08: 162
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-55.6%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 151
Income 47% 61% Bus. Services ’08: 67 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 542
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 53% 39% +8.3%
Leisure and ’00: 349
Hospitality ’08: 378 +2.8%
Other Indicators County % change n/a*
Other Services ’00: 75
Average Transfer
’08: – -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,783
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $8,136 Suppressed '00: 1,104 '08: 635
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 71
Mercer County
Employment Overview
17,291
15,253 14,659
12,429
+5.0%
-3.2%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 934
’08: 904 -10.6%
8.0% Rank: 83 (1=highest)
+32.0%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 3,824
’08: 5,047 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+3.2%
Private Sector $31,418 Trade, Transport., ’00: 2,943
Federal Government $41,646 and Utilities ’08: 3,038 -6.2%
State Government $38,089
Local Government $33,391 +13.4%
Information ’00: 164
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 186 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 4,606
Income Less than $60,000 15,897 -1.8%
Financial ’00: 601
Activities ’08: 590
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+14.9%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 578
Income 55% 69% Bus. Services ’08: 664 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +15.1%
Education and ’00: 1,011
Health Services ’08: 1,164
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 45% 31% -9.5%
Leisure and ’00: 1,477
Hospitality ’08: 1,337 +2.8%
Other Indicators -24.1%
Other Services ’00: 800
Average Transfer
’08: 607 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $4,845
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $3,227 Suppressed '00: 97 '08: 1,122
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
72 State of the State
Miami County
Employment Overview
44,492
40,349 39,889
35,185
+8.7%
-9.3% -11.8%
4,603 5,004
-4.0%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 1,797
’08: 1,725 -10.6%
11.5% Rank: 39 (1=highest)
-27.8%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 13,750
’08: 9,930 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-22.2%
Private Sector $34,193 Trade, Transport., ’00: 8,809
Federal Government $50,050 and Utilities ’08: 6,856 -6.2%
State Government $51,207
Local Government $37,711 -29.4%
Information ’00: 412
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 291 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 13,292
Income Less than $60,000 36,199 +3.2%
Financial ’00: 862
Activities ’08: 890
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-15.2%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 3,020
Income 63% 76% Bus. Services ’08: 2,562 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +6.2%
Education and ’00: 4,285
Health Services ’08: 4,550
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 37% 24% +6.0%
Leisure and ’00: 3,633
Hospitality ’08: 3,851 +2.8%
Other Indicators -6.5%
Other Services ’00: 1,271
Average Transfer
’08: 1,188 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,290
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,522 Suppressed '00: 1,979 '08: 3,297
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 73
Monroe County
Employment Overview
4,790
3,781 3,891
-10.9% 3,001
-16.0%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 188
’08: 158 -10.6%
13.1% Rank: 17 (1=highest)
County % change n/a*
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 2,301
’08: – -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+29.7%
Private Sector $36,768 Trade, Transport., ’00: 522
Federal Government $41,769 and Utilities ’08: 677 -6.2%
State Government $43,574
Local Government $26,424 County % change n/a*
Information ’00: 27
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: – -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 1,211
Income Less than $60,000 5,220 +268.4%
Financial ’00: 114
Activities ’08: 420
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-36.6%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 82
Income 46% 60% Bus. Services ’08: 52 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +33.7%
Education and ’00: 172
Health Services ’08: 230
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 54% 40% -52.7%
Leisure and ’00: 239
Hospitality ’08: 113 +2.8%
Other Indicators -17.1%
Other Services ’00: 146
Average Transfer
’08: 121 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,827
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $7,541 Suppressed '00: 30 '08: 1,164
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
74 State of the State
Montgomery County
Employment Overview
296,921
256,020 267,935
227,244
+0.6%
-13.8% -15.2%
28,607 28,777
-23.8%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 12,180
’08: 9,285 -10.6%
11.4% Rank: 46 (1=highest)
-44.9%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 57,069
’08: 31,425 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-24.6%
Private Sector $40,722 Trade, Transport., ’00: 57,497
Federal Government $55,297 and Utilities ’08: 43,378 -6.2%
State Government $54,181
Local Government $42,332 +15.2%
Information ’00: 8,651
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 9,967 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 63,311
Income Less than $60,000 184,862 +7.1%
Financial ’00: 9,756
Activities ’08: 10,449
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-11.3%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 42,844
Income 64% 78% Bus. Services ’08: 37,992 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +18.4%
Education and ’00: 43,807
Health Services ’08: 51,851
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 36% 22% -2.2%
Leisure and ’00: 25,138
Hospitality ’08: 24,581 +2.8%
Other Indicators -17.0%
Other Services ’00: 9,671
Average Transfer
’08: 8,031 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,310
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $8,506 Suppressed '00: 1,322 '08: 285
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 75
Morgan County
Employment Overview
3,424
2,706
2,409 -2.3%
1,722
-26.4%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 208
’08: 153 -10.6%
15.5% Rank: 2 (1=highest)
-43.6%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 738
’08: 416 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-26.6%
Private Sector $27,785 Trade, Transport., ’00: 391
Federal Government $43,641 and Utilities ’08: 287 -6.2%
State Government $44,923
Local Government $28,840 -9.7%
Information ’00: 31
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 28 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 965
Income Less than $60,000 4,707 -14.3%
Financial ’00: 98
Activities ’08: 84
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+130.3%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 33
Income 43% 56% Bus. Services ’08: 76 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +31.3%
Education and ’00: 268
Health Services ’08: 352
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 57% 44% -31.4%
Leisure and ’00: 255
Hospitality ’08: 175 +2.8%
Other Indicators -38.7%
Other Services ’00: 75
Average Transfer
’08: 46 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,311
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $6,311 Suppressed '00: 366 '08: 105
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
76 State of the State
Morrow County
Employment Overview
6,050
5,426
4,599
+14.9% 3,763
1,431 1,644
-10.3% -18.2%
+36.0%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 228
’08: 310 -10.6%
10.5% Rank: 56 (1=highest)
-31.9%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 1,654
’08: 1,126 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-18.0%
Private Sector $29,541 Trade, Transport., ’00: 929
Federal Government $38,966 and Utilities ’08: 762 -6.2%
State Government $51,006
Local Government $31,747 +74.4%
Information ’00: 39
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 68 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 3,309
Income Less than $60,000 11,336 +11.5%
Financial ’00: 78
Activities ’08: 87
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-14.7%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 211
Income 52% 66% Bus. Services ’08: 180 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 762
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 48% 34% -18.3%
Leisure and ’00: 551
Hospitality ’08: 450 +2.8%
Other Indicators -17.9%
Other Services ’00: 78
Average Transfer
’08: 64 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $4,466
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $3,460 Suppressed '00: 48 '08: 680
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 77
Muskingum County
Employment Overview
40,774
36,077
33,392
+3.8% 28,537
-18.1% 4,840
-20.9%
4,661
-42.7%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 1,655
’08: 948 -10.6%
12.3% Rank: 25 (1=highest)
-56.1%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 10,180
’08: 4,470 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-18.6%
Private Sector $31,028 Trade, Transport., ’00: 9,768
Federal Government $49,938 and Utilities ’08: 7,955 -6.2%
State Government $36,374
Local Government $34,245 +49.7%
Information ’00: 322
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 482 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 7,427
Income Less than $60,000 30,836 +5.8%
Financial ’00: 765
Activities ’08: 809
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-24.6%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 2,370
Income 52% 68% Bus. Services ’08: 1,786 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +20.7%
Education and ’00: 5,868
Health Services ’08: 7,081
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 48% 32% -2.8%
Leisure and ’00: 3,519
Hospitality ’08: 3,421 +2.8%
Other Indicators -8.8%
Other Services ’00: 1,341
Average Transfer
’08: 1,223 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,304
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $6,052 Suppressed '00: -2 '08: -1
78 State of the State
Noble County
Employment Overview
3,384 3,194
1,111 1,023
-5.6% -4.2%
+84.3%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 70
’08: 129 -10.6%
14.8% Rank: 5 (1=highest)
County % change n/a*
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: –
’08: 510 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-5.8%
Private Sector $27,907 Trade, Transport., ’00: 539
Federal Government $35,795 and Utilities ’08: 508 -6.2%
State Government $39,759
Local Government $27,949 County % change n/a*
Information ’00: 18
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: – -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 841
Income Less than $60,000 4,545 County % change n/a*
Financial ’00: 85
Activities ’08: –
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-9.1%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 33
Income 40% 54% Bus. Services ’08: 30 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +17.1%
Education and ’00: 434
Health Services ’08: 508
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 60% 46% County % change n/a*
Leisure and ’00: 286
Hospitality ’08: – +2.8%
Other Indicators -35.1%
Other Services ’00: 94
Average Transfer
’08: 61 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $4,712
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,123 Suppressed '00: 616 '08: 426
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 79
Ottawa County
Employment Overview
15,235
13,737 12,906
11,468
+3.1%
-18.8%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 586
’08: 476 -10.6%
14.6% Rank: 7 (1=highest)
-20.4%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 2,964
’08: 2,360 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-27.7%
Private Sector $35,476 Trade, Transport., ’00: 2,785
Federal Government $47,896 and Utilities ’08: 2,014 -6.2%
State Government $48,216
Local Government $36,952 -24.3%
Information ’00: 107
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 81 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 5,992
Income Less than $60,000 15,113 +7.2%
Financial ’00: 335
Activities ’08: 359
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-36.3%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 633
Income 64% 77% Bus. Services ’08: 403 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +32.5%
Education and ’00: 1,172
Health Services ’08: 1,553
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 36% 23% -11.8%
Leisure and ’00: 2,687
Hospitality ’08: 2,370 +2.8%
Other Indicators -35.5%
Other Services ’00: 561
Average Transfer
’08: 362 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,631
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $6,064 Suppressed '00: 940 '08: 1,345
80 State of the State
Paulding County
Employment Overview
5,189 5,134
4,008 4,011
-4.8%
+135.5%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 93
’08: 219 -10.6%
12.0% Rank: 32 (1=highest)
-2.0%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 1,656
’08: 1,623 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-34.8%
Private Sector $30,463 Trade, Transport., ’00: 923
Federal Government $38,793 and Utilities ’08: 602 -6.2%
State Government $47,474
Local Government $30,542 -17.9%
Information ’00: 28
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 23 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 1,967
Income Less than $60,000 7,005 -14.5%
Financial ’00: 110
Activities ’08: 94
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-2.1%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 142
Income 53% 67% Bus. Services ’08: 139 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 282
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 47% 33% -5.2%
Leisure and ’00: 267
Hospitality ’08: 253 +2.8%
Other Indicators -20.7%
Other Services ’00: 140
Average Transfer
’08: 111 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,333
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $4,627 Suppressed '00: 367 '08: 947
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 81
Perry County
Employment Overview
6,755
5,982
5,007
+11.1% 4,081
1,696 1,885
-11.4% -18.5%
+4.3%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 438
’08: 457 -10.6%
12.9% Rank: 21 (1=highest)
-44.8%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 1,593
’08: 880 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-22.8%
Private Sector $32,599 Trade, Transport., ’00: 1,034
Federal Government $38,665 and Utilities ’08: 798 -6.2%
State Government $46,785
Local Government $28,513 -19.5%
Information ’00: 41
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 33 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 2,724
Income Less than $60,000 12,009 -6.1%
Financial ’00: 198
Activities ’08: 186
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-33.0%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 191
Income 46% 59% Bus. Services ’08: 128 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 621
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 54% 41% -11.8%
Leisure and ’00: 459
Hospitality ’08: 405 +2.8%
Other Indicators +12.3%
Other Services ’00: 138
Average Transfer
’08: 155 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,049
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,703 Suppressed '00: 45 '08: 783
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
82 State of the State
Pickaway County
Employment Overview
16,667
14,500
12,265
-0.4% 10,225
4,294 4,275
-13.0% -16.6%
-10.6%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 742
’08: 663 -10.6%
11.1% Rank: 48 (1=highest)
-49.7%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 4,856
’08: 2,441 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-8.8%
Private Sector $34,122 Trade, Transport., ’00: 2,514
Federal Government $45,199 and Utilities ’08: 2,292 -6.2%
State Government $48,828
Local Government $35,568 -53.6%
Information ’00: 112
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 52 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 6,267
Income Less than $60,000 16,753 -20.1%
Financial ’00: 374
Activities ’08: 299
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+23.3%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 906
Income 59% 71% Bus. Services ’08: 1,117 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +108.1%
Education and ’00: 826
Health Services ’08: 1,719
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 41% 29% -12.1%
Leisure and ’00: 1,402
Hospitality ’08: 1,232 +2.8%
Other Indicators -23.7%
Other Services ’00: 396
Average Transfer
’08: 302 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $4,994
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,047 Suppressed '00: 137 '08: 108
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 83
Pike County
Employment Overview
11,509
9,664 9,813
+0.8% 7,958
+55.9%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 417
’08: 650 -10.6%
15.3% Rank: 3 (1=highest)
-46.2%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 5,632
’08: 3,028 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-18.4%
Private Sector $39,073 Trade, Transport., ’00: 1,358
Federal Government $51,282 and Utilities ’08: 1,108 -6.2%
State Government $38,673
Local Government $34,271 -31.3%
Information ’00: 67
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 46 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 2,163
Income Less than $60,000 9,519 +0.6%
Financial ’00: 176
Activities ’08: 177
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+68.9%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 315
Income 48% 63% Bus. Services ’08: 532 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +21.6%
Education and ’00: 926
Health Services ’08: 1,126
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 52% 37% +3.0%
Leisure and ’00: 642
Hospitality ’08: 661 +2.8%
Other Indicators +18.7%
Other Services ’00: 139
Average Transfer
’08: 165 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $7,057
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $13,877 Suppressed '00: 141 '08: 465
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
84 State of the State
Portage County
Employment Overview
52,352 52,642
41,314 40,191
+11.2%
-12.8%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 2,370
’08: 2,067 -10.6%
9.8% Rank: 62 (1=highest)
-22.0%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 13,978
’08: 10,902 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-0.2%
Private Sector $34,326 Trade, Transport., ’00: 8,974
Federal Government $48,590 and Utilities ’08: 8,954 -6.2%
State Government $50,908
Local Government $36,244 -36.5%
Information ’00: 595
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 378 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 19,833
Income Less than $60,000 52,715 +10.5%
Financial ’00: 645
Activities ’08: 713
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+51.2%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 2,765
Income 63% 76% Bus. Services ’08: 4,181 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +23.6%
Education and ’00: 3,658
Health Services ’08: 4,521
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 37% 24% -14.0%
Leisure and ’00: 6,419
Hospitality ’08: 5,520 +2.8%
Other Indicators +6.4%
Other Services ’00: 1,519
Average Transfer
’08: 1,616 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,036
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $4,385 Suppressed '00: 103 '08: 971
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 85
Preble County
Employment Overview
11,000 10,842
8,999 8,948
-6.7%
-2.5%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 407
’08: 397 -10.6%
11.5% Rank: 39 (1=highest)
-7.6%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 3,454
’08: 3,190 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-13.4%
Private Sector $31,993 Trade, Transport., ’00: 2,072
Federal Government $42,254 and Utilities ’08: 1,795 -6.2%
State Government $40,808
Local Government $31,705 -50.0%
Information ’00: 74
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 37 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 4,258
Income Less than $60,000 14,468 +8.7%
Financial ’00: 208
Activities ’08: 226
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-30.9%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 744
Income 53% 67% Bus. Services ’08: 514 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 697
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 47% 33% -13.8%
Leisure and ’00: 959
Hospitality ’08: 827 +2.8%
Other Indicators -8.0%
Other Services ’00: 288
Average Transfer
’08: 265 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,354
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $4,798 Suppressed '00: 48 '08: 1,653
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
86 State of the State
Putnam County
Employment Overview
12,366 11,689
10,346 9,891
-2.7%
+8.8%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 900
’08: 979 -10.6%
9.8% Rank: 62 (1=highest)
-27.2%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 4,429
’08: 3,225 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-12.3%
Private Sector $29,714 Trade, Transport., ’00: 1,761
Federal Government $38,367 and Utilities ’08: 1,545 -6.2%
State Government $48,240
Local Government $29,018 +55.6%
Information ’00: 54
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 84 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 4,558
Income Less than $60,000 12,540 -0.3%
Financial ’00: 334
Activities ’08: 333
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+18.4%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 702
Income 61% 74% Bus. Services ’08: 831 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +47.7%
Education and ’00: 717
Health Services ’08: 1,059
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 39% 26% +1.0%
Leisure and ’00: 942
Hospitality ’08: 951 +2.8%
Other Indicators +33.8%
Other Services ’00: 346
Average Transfer
’08: 463 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $4,654
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $3,603 Suppressed '00: 161 '08: 421
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 87
Richland County
Employment Overview
60,797
54,955 52,458
47,090
-5.8%
-1.9%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 2,015
’08: 1,977 -10.6%
12.1% Rank: 30 (1=highest)
-27.9%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 16,303
’08: 11,750 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-16.7%
Private Sector $32,914 Trade, Transport., ’00: 11,067
Federal Government $54,016 and Utilities ’08: 9,216 -6.2%
State Government $49,583
Local Government $35,791 -38.3%
Information ’00: 1,660
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 1,024 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 12,542
Income Less than $60,000 44,005 -9.8%
Financial ’00: 1,314
Activities ’08: 1,185
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-3.2%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 5,423
Income 56% 71% Bus. Services ’08: 5,247 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +19.0%
Education and ’00: 6,926
Health Services ’08: 8,241
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 44% 29% +0.2%
Leisure and ’00: 5,332
Hospitality ’08: 5,342 +2.8%
Other Indicators -24.0%
Other Services ’00: 2,173
Average Transfer
’08: 1,652 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,041
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,861 Suppressed '00: 245 '08: 1,430
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
88 State of the State
Ross County
Employment Overview
25,936 24,753
20,943 19,719
+0.6%
-17.0%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 1,001
’08: 831 -10.6%
12.1% Rank: 30 (1=highest)
-23.5%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 4,922
’08: 3,763 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-4.1%
Private Sector $35,169 Trade, Transport., ’00: 5,149
Federal Government $72,887 and Utilities ’08: 4,937 -6.2%
State Government $46,361
Local Government $34,599 -33.1%
Information ’00: 595
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 398 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 6,972
Income Less than $60,000 25,662 +35.3%
Financial ’00: 380
Activities ’08: 514
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-20.0%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 2,222
Income 52% 66% Bus. Services ’08: 1,778 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +26.2%
Education and ’00: 3,364
Health Services ’08: 4,244
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 48% 34% +5.7%
Leisure and ’00: 2,499
Hospitality ’08: 2,642 +2.8%
Other Indicators -23.5%
Other Services ’00: 766
Average Transfer
’08: 586 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,789
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $7,018 Suppressed '00: 45 '08: -2
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 89
Sandusky County
Employment Overview
27,081 25,947
23,379 22,738
-4.8%
-9.4%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 991
’08: 898 -10.6%
10.9% Rank: 50 (1=highest)
-14.2%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 10,360
’08: 8,884 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-0.7%
Private Sector $32,148 Trade, Transport., ’00: 3,876
Federal Government $46,989 and Utilities ’08: 3,847 -6.2%
State Government $52,446
Local Government $34,801 -14.6%
Information ’00: 198
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 169 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 6,415
Income Less than $60,000 23,717 -3.0%
Financial ’00: 530
Activities ’08: 514
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-9.2%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 1,887
Income 51% 64% Bus. Services ’08: 1,713 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 2,195
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 49% 36% +17.4%
Leisure and ’00: 2,091
Hospitality ’08: 2,454 +2.8%
Other Indicators -19.1%
Other Services ’00: 1,021
Average Transfer
’08: 826 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,629
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,136 Suppressed '00: 230 '08: 3,433
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
90 State of the State
Scioto County
Employment Overview
24,846 23,949
19,579 18,649
+1.3%
+19.8%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 1,245
’08: 1,491 -10.6%
12.7% Rank: 22 (1=highest)
-22.7%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 2,561
’08: 1,980 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-12.9%
Private Sector $29,987 Trade, Transport., ’00: 4,410
Federal Government $47,216 and Utilities ’08: 3,841 -6.2%
State Government $46,840
Local Government $34,492 -20.9%
Information ’00: 311
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 246 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 5,697
Income Less than $60,000 22,102 -17.6%
Financial ’00: 636
Activities ’08: 524
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-38.3%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 1,838
Income 53% 68% Bus. Services ’08: 1,134 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +19.6%
Education and ’00: 5,309
Health Services ’08: 6,351
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 47% 32% -6.4%
Leisure and ’00: 2,723
Hospitality ’08: 2,550 +2.8%
Other Indicators -2.6%
Other Services ’00: 530
Average Transfer
’08: 516 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $8,006
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $8,399 Suppressed '00: -2 '08: 0
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 91
Seneca County
Employment Overview
22,490
20,576
19,178
17,564
-6.7%
+17.4%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 898
’08: 1,054 -10.6%
12.2% Rank: 27 (1=highest)
-20.4%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 6,208
’08: 4,941 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-11.7%
Private Sector $30,334 Trade, Transport., ’00: 3,722
Federal Government $45,665 and Utilities ’08: 3,287 -6.2%
State Government $43,073
Local Government $33,329 -5.0%
Information ’00: 279
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 265 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 5,262
Income Less than $60,000 21,811 -6.4%
Financial ’00: 607
Activities ’08: 568
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+8.5%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 1,476
Income 48% 62% Bus. Services ’08: 1,601 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +6.6%
Education and ’00: 3,223
Health Services ’08: 3,437
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 52% 38% -12.6%
Leisure and ’00: 1,839
Hospitality ’08: 1,608 +2.8%
Other Indicators -14.0%
Other Services ’00: 808
Average Transfer
’08: 695 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,297
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,756 Suppressed '00: 2 '08: -1
92 State of the State
Shelby County
Employment Overview
28,610 29,390
25,999 26,686
+4.5%
+2.7% +2.6%
2,588 2,704
-5.4%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 1,511
’08: 1,430 -10.6%
12.0% Rank: 32 (1=highest)
-9.2%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 14,320
’08: 13,004 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-9.9%
Private Sector $39,913 Trade, Transport., ’00: 4,163
Federal Government $44,905 and Utilities ’08: 3,749 -6.2%
State Government $51,982
Local Government $35,945 -37.5%
Information ’00: 312
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 195 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 5,582
Income Less than $60,000 18,377 +10.4%
Financial ’00: 327
Activities ’08: 361
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+74.8%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 1,348
Income 58% 72% Bus. Services ’08: 2,356 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 1,502
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 42% 28% +9.2%
Leisure and ’00: 1,473
Hospitality ’08: 1,609 +2.8%
Other Indicators +1.4%
Other Services ’00: 652
Average Transfer
’08: 661 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $4,577
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $4,010 Suppressed '00: 391 '08: 3,321
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 93
Stark County
Employment Overview
174,229
159,300 156,120
140,826
+2.1%
-8.6% -9.8%
17,866 18,246
-13.6%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 8,359
’08: 7,224 -10.6%
11.5% Rank: 39 (1=highest)
-32.5%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 42,579
’08: 28,743 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-8.6%
Private Sector $34,654 Trade, Transport., ’00: 32,750
Federal Government $54,387 and Utilities ’08: 29,949 -6.2%
State Government $50,435
Local Government $36,707 -10.8%
Information ’00: 2,270
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 2,025 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 42,668
Income Less than $60,000 135,366 +12.9%
Financial ’00: 5,340
Activities ’08: 6,031
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-6.5%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 16,533
Income 61% 75% Bus. Services ’08: 15,461 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +13.2%
Education and ’00: 25,696
Health Services ’08: 29,093
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 39% 25% +4.2%
Leisure and ’00: 15,325
Hospitality ’08: 15,967 +2.8%
Other Indicators -11.2%
Other Services ’00: 6,797
Average Transfer
’08: 6,039 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,027
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,814 Suppressed '00: 0 '08: -2
94 State of the State
Summit County
Employment Overview
263,321 270,575
235,489 241,237
+5.9%
+2.8% +2.4%
27,580 29,210
-8.4%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 11,460
’08: 10,494 -10.6%
10.0% Rank: 59 (1=highest)
-29.9%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 47,548
’08: 33,347 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-2.1%
Private Sector $40,802 Trade, Transport., ’00: 57,250
Federal Government $59,062 and Utilities ’08: 56,026 -6.2%
State Government $51,585
Local Government $40,895 -9.8%
Information ’00: 4,431
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 3,998 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 71,440
Income Less than $60,000 185,302 -4.1%
Financial ’00: 9,257
Activities ’08: 8,881
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+33.8%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 38,061
Income 69% 82% Bus. Services ’08: 50,924 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +30.1%
Education and ’00: 33,736
Health Services ’08: 43,880
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 31% 18% +3.2%
Leisure and ’00: 24,276
Hospitality ’08: 25,044 +2.8%
Other Indicators -7.9%
Other Services ’00: 9,279
Average Transfer
’08: 8,547 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,068
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $6,317 Suppressed '00: 2 '08: -2
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 95
Trumbull County
Employment Overview
93,795
83,207
75,513
-11.1% 66,041
-19.5% -20.6%
10,588 9,415
-7.6%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 2,932
’08: 2,710 -10.6%
13.8% Rank: 10 (1=highest)
-48.6%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 30,428
’08: 15,633 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-15.2%
Private Sector $37,019 Trade, Transport., ’00: 18,114
Federal Government $52,073 and Utilities ’08: 15,353 -6.2%
State Government $47,285
Local Government $37,698 -13.8%
Information ’00: 784
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 676 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 22,225
Income Less than $60,000 77,928 -7.9%
Financial ’00: 1,799
Activities ’08: 1,656
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-2.9%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 7,853
Income 57% 72% Bus. Services ’08: 7,623 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +22.4%
Education and ’00: 10,337
Health Services ’08: 12,653
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 43% 28% -3.0%
Leisure and ’00: 7,731
Hospitality ’08: 7,498 +2.8%
Other Indicators -24.6%
Other Services ’00: 2,917
Average Transfer
’08: 2,199 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,764
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $6,181 Suppressed '00: 195 '08: 0
96 State of the State
Tuscarawas County
Employment Overview
36,512 35,531
31,741 30,866
-0.9%
-12.0%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 1,649
’08: 1,451 -10.6%
10.7% Rank: 53 (1=highest)
-16.0%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 9,403
’08: 7,897 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-6.0%
Private Sector $29,878 Trade, Transport., ’00: 7,418
Federal Government $48,051 and Utilities ’08: 6,971 -6.2%
State Government $51,149
Local Government $32,978 +83.9%
Information ’00: 248
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 456 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 8,561
Income Less than $60,000 35,775 -0.5%
Financial ’00: 770
Activities ’08: 766
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+19.8%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 2,544
Income 51% 66% Bus. Services ’08: 3,047 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +21.0%
Education and ’00: 4,019
Health Services ’08: 4,864
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 49% 34% -3.0%
Leisure and ’00: 3,812
Hospitality ’08: 3,697 +2.8%
Other Indicators -18.1%
Other Services ’00: 1,473
Average Transfer
’08: 1,206 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,582
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,144 Suppressed '00: -2 '08: 0
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 97
Union County
Employment Overview
27,537
23,621 24,101
20,408
+20.5%
+24.8%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 746
’08: 931 -10.6%
8.5% Rank: 80 (1=highest)
-9.6%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 10,756
’08: 9,723 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-7.1%
Private Sector $53,735 Trade, Transport., ’00: 3,098
Federal Government $46,695 and Utilities ’08: 2,879 -6.2%
State Government $50,544
Local Government $39,132 +15.8%
Information ’00: 95
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 110 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 8,155
Income Less than $60,000 13,948 +12.9%
Financial ’00: 404
Activities ’08: 456
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+93.8%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 2,871
Income 72% 82% Bus. Services ’08: 5,565 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +46.0%
Education and ’00: 650
Health Services ’08: 949
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 28% 18% +13.1%
Leisure and ’00: 1,301
Hospitality ’08: 1,472 +2.8%
Other Indicators +19.5%
Other Services ’00: 456
Average Transfer
’08: 545 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $3,824
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $3,078 Suppressed '00: 31 '08: 1,471
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
98 State of the State
-12.0% -13.5%
1,380 1,420
-19.2%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 328
’08: 265 -10.6%
13.2% Rank: 15 (1=highest)
-31.1%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 4,689
’08: 3,231 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-18.4%
Private Sector $30,722 Trade, Transport., ’00: 1,941
Federal Government $41,491 and Utilities ’08: 1,583 -6.2%
State Government $49,588
Local Government $33,930 -28.0%
Information ’00: 93
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 67 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 2,969
Income Less than $60,000 11,316 +7.2%
Financial ’00: 566
Activities ’08: 607
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-6.9%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 291
Income 50% 64% Bus. Services ’08: 271 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +26.0%
Education and ’00: 1,413
Health Services ’08: 1,781
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 50% 36% -35.6%
Leisure and ’00: 1,153
Hospitality ’08: 743 +2.8%
Other Indicators -2.0%
Other Services ’00: 398
Average Transfer
’08: 390 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,080
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $4,401 Suppressed '00: 37 '08: 498
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 99
Vinton County
Employment Overview
2,360 2,289
810 748
-3.0% +2.9%
+76.3%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 80
’08: 141 -10.6%
12.5% Rank: 23 (1=highest)
0.0%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 534
’08: 534 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-4.6%
Private Sector $29,874 Trade, Transport., ’00: 328
Federal Government $35,227 and Utilities ’08: 313 -6.2%
State Government $38,130
Local Government $29,907 County % change n/a*
Information ’00: –
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: – -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 712
Income Less than $60,000 4,035 County % change n/a*
Financial ’00: –
Activities ’08: 69
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-38.6%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 44
Income 43% 59% Bus. Services ’08: 27 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +7.0%
Education and ’00: 229
Health Services ’08: 245
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 57% 41% +77.6%
Leisure and ’00: 49
Hospitality ’08: 87 +2.8%
Other Indicators County % change n/a*
Other Services ’00: 29
Average Transfer
’08: – -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,157
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,620 Suppressed '00: 205 '08: 125
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
100 State of the State
Warren County
Employment Overview
77,100
67,767
59,088
+32.2% 52,079
+30.5% 9,165
+30.1%
6,932
+11.3%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 2,231
’08: 2,482 -10.6%
8.8% Rank: 77 (1=highest)
-1.7%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 13,065
’08: 12,843 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+15.0%
Private Sector $37,386 Trade, Transport., ’00: 12,020
Federal Government $50,334 and Utilities ’08: 13,828 -6.2%
State Government $53,442
Local Government $39,359 +251.2%
Information ’00: 387
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 1,359 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 39,077
Income Less than $60,000 54,904 +81.5%
Financial ’00: 2,497
Activities ’08: 4,533
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+78.4%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 6,796
Income 79% 88% Bus. Services ’08: 12,127 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +65.7%
Education and ’00: 4,178
Health Services ’08: 6,923
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 21% 12% +36.1%
Leisure and ’00: 8,225
Hospitality ’08: 11,192 +2.8%
Other Indicators -4.9%
Other Services ’00: 2,581
Average Transfer
’08: 2,454 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $3,870
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $2,966 Suppressed '00: 1 '08: 1
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 101
Washington County
Employment Overview
24,515 25,155
21,247 22,046
-2.5%
+3.5%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 1,641
’08: 1,698 -10.6%
9.2% Rank: 68 (1=highest)
-23.2%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 5,362
’08: 4,120 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+6.4%
Private Sector $36,146 Trade, Transport., ’00: 4,776
Federal Government $49,734 and Utilities ’08: 5,083 -6.2%
State Government $50,085
Local Government $31,263 -59.7%
Information ’00: 211
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 85 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 6,355
Income Less than $60,000 21,405 +10.4%
Financial ’00: 643
Activities ’08: 710
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+53.5%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 1,601
Income 58% 73% Bus. Services ’08: 2,458 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +43.5%
Education and ’00: 3,203
Health Services ’08: 4,596
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 42% 27% -4.8%
Leisure and ’00: 2,257
Hospitality ’08: 2,149 +2.8%
Other Indicators -9.6%
Other Services ’00: 809
Average Transfer
’08: 731 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,403
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $6,633 Suppressed '00: 484 '08: 1
102 State of the State
Wayne County
Employment Overview
47,948 45,369
40,963 38,481
-2.1%
-5.4%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 2,436
’08: 2,305 -10.6%
9.2% Rank: 68 (1=highest)
-20.1%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 15,946
’08: 12,745 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-19.2%
Private Sector $34,031 Trade, Transport., ’00: 8,306
Federal Government $47,054 and Utilities ’08: 6,713 -6.2%
State Government $44,138
Local Government $35,828 -1.9%
Information ’00: 363
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 356 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 11,982
Income Less than $60,000 41,112 -7.1%
Financial ’00: 1,240
Activities ’08: 1,152
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-2.6%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 3,291
Income 57% 72% Bus. Services ’08: 3,207 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 3,437
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 43% 28% +2.2%
Leisure and ’00: 3,355
Hospitality ’08: 3,430 +2.8%
Other Indicators -10.5%
Other Services ’00: 1,336
Average Transfer
’08: 1,196 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $4,811
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $4,742 Suppressed '00: 899 '08: 6,918
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 103
Williams County
Employment Overview
19,553
16,711 17,399
14,414
+2.6%
-14.5% -17.2%
2,108 2,163
-20.9%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 532
’08: 421 -10.6%
14.3% Rank: 8 (1=highest)
-28.3%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 9,723
’08: 6,967 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-14.7%
Private Sector $33,107 Trade, Transport., ’00: 2,538
Federal Government $41,258 and Utilities ’08: 2,166 -6.2%
State Government $47,983
Local Government $32,211 -15.6%
Information ’00: 147
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 124 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 3,632
Income Less than $60,000 14,788 -0.9%
Financial ’00: 351
Activities ’08: 348
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-41.3%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 610
Income 51% 66% Bus. Services ’08: 358 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +17.6%
Education and ’00: 1,554
Health Services ’08: 1,828
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 49% 34% -19.7%
Leisure and ’00: 1,221
Hospitality ’08: 981 +2.8%
Other Indicators -9.2%
Other Services ’00: 611
Average Transfer
’08: 555 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,459
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $4,882 Suppressed '00: 112 '08: 640
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
104 State of the State
Wood County
Employment Overview
57,262 59,193
47,290 48,241
+8.8%
-15.4%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 3,173
’08: 2,684 -10.6%
10.3% Rank: 58 (1=highest)
-19.0%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 15,526
’08: 12,573 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+23.3%
Private Sector $45,436 Trade, Transport., ’00: 10,556
Federal Government $46,086 and Utilities ’08: 13,014 -6.2%
State Government $50,076
Local Government $35,308 -47.9%
Information ’00: 917
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 478 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 18,116
Income Less than $60,000 39,888 +14.2%
Financial ’00: 791
Activities ’08: 903
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-6.0%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 5,624
Income 70% 82% Bus. Services ’08: 5,287 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +48.7%
Education and ’00: 3,549
Health Services ’08: 5,277
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 30% 18% +26.1%
Leisure and ’00: 4,963
Hospitality ’08: 6,260 +2.8%
Other Indicators -3.5%
Other Services ’00: 1,787
Average Transfer
’08: 1,725 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $4,583
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $4,145 Suppressed '00: 404 '08: 0
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 105
Wyandot County
Employment Overview
10,221
8,444 8,900
+10.0% 6,923
+14.1%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 552
’08: 630 -10.6%
11.6% Rank: 36 (1=highest)
-42.4%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 4,489
’08: 2,586 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+3.5%
Private Sector $32,306 Trade, Transport., ’00: 1,166
Federal Government $40,763 and Utilities ’08: 1,207 -6.2%
State Government $44,118
Local Government $30,380 -18.1%
Information ’00: 72
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 59 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 2,077
Income Less than $60,000 8,777 +2.6%
Financial ’00: 195
Activities ’08: 200
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-11.5%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 269
Income 47% 61% Bus. Services ’08: 238 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 529
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 53% 39% -20.4%
Leisure and ’00: 848
Hospitality ’08: 675 +2.8%
Other Indicators -19.6%
Other Services ’00: 363
Average Transfer
’08: 292 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,390
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,463 Suppressed '00: 176 '08: 895
* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
106 State of the State
Sources
County Profiles State Per Capita Income
Ohio Department of Development, “Ohio County Profile,” Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Economic Ac-
January 2009, at http://development.ohio.gov/research/files/ counts, “Local Area Personal Income: Table CA05,” April,
s0.htm (February 11, 2010). 23, 2009, at http://www.bea.gov/regional/reis/default.
cfm?selTable=CA05N&series=NAICS (February 11, 2010).
Migration
Ohio Department of Development, Reports in Population & Tax Tables
Housing: Demographic Components, “IRS In Migration Flows Ohio Department of Taxation, Individual Income Tax, “Table 23:
of Exemptions to Ohio: 1980-2006,” May 2007, at All Returns by Ohio Taxable Income,” June 16, 2009, and “Table
http://www.development.ohio.gov/research/Reports_In_Popu- 33: Components of Income by County and Income Level,” Octo-
lation_and_Housing-Demographic_Components.htm ber 15, 2009, at http://www.tax.ohio.gov/divisions/tax_analysis/
(February 11, 2010). tax_data_series/individual_income/unpublished/IT_07.stm
(February 11, 2010).
Poverty Levels
U.S. Census Bureau, “American Fact Finder,” at Unemployment
http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_ Ohio Labor Market Information, “Current Labor Force
event=Search&geo_id=&_geoContext=&_street=&_ Estimates: Unemployment Rate Map,” January 22, 2010, at
county=&_cityTown=&_state=04000US39&_zip=&_ http://lmi.state.oh.us/laus/laus.html (February 11, 2010).
lang=en&_sse=on&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010 (February 11, 2010).
Vital Statistics
Population Ohio Department of Health, “Vital Statistics Annual Birth Sum-
U.S. Census Bureau, “Population Finder,” at http://factfinder. maries, by Year,” August 14, 2007, at http://www.odh.ohio.gov/
census.gov/servlet/SAFFPopulation?submenuId=population_ healthStats/vitalstats/birthstat.aspx (February 11, 2010); and
0&_sse=on (February 11, 2010). Ohio Department of Health Information Warehouse, “Births:
Live Births,” January 7, 2010, and “Deaths: Population Data,”
Ohio Counties Employment and Wages by Industry March 15, 2009, at http://dwhouse.odh.ohio.gov/
Ohio Labor Market Information, “Employment and Wages datawarehousev2.htm (February 11, 2010).
Publications – 2000 to Present: Tables RS 203.1-BN and RS
203.3-BN,” December 10, 2009 at http://lmi.state.oh.us/cep/
CEP_NAICS.htm (February 11, 2010).
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