Wednesday, January 28, 2015

December Monthly Business Economic Indicators

The December Edition of the Monthly Business Economic Indicators is packed full of new second quarter 2014 Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation information. This information is released 4 times a year and allows us to track trends in industry and employment growth.  To download the full report, please click here.

DECEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

Unemployment
  • At 4.6% for November 2014, it remains at the second lowest point all year and still consistently lower than the State and U.S. average
  • Frederick County unemployment rates over the past 5 years at this time –
    • November 2013: 5.1%
    • November 2012: 5.5%
    • November 2011: 5.6%
    • November 2010: 6.6%
Job Growth
  • Overall, employment has grown at the rate of about 1% per year since 2010.
  • From 1st quarter 2014 to 2nd quarter 2014, Frederick County added 113 jobs or 0.1%.

Average Weekly Wage Growth
  • The average weekly wage per worker in Frederick County has slowed down some since 2013.
    • In second quarter 2014, it was $899 and in second quarter 2013, it was $911.
  • Since 2010, the average weekly wage has increased overall to 5.6%
  • The average weekly wage per worker in the state of Maryland was $1,023 in second quarter was $1,023 and grew 6.9% during the same time frame.

Industry Trends
  • The industries that had the highest increase in employment since 2010 were: Leisure and Hospitality (21.4%); Construction (18.0%) and Natural Resources and Mining (14.5%).
    • Of note, in 2012, construction jobs were at a 5-year loss of -21.44%, in 2013 Construction jobs increased 6.9% and in 2014, we are seeing double digit percentage growth.
  • The industries that had the lowest percentage of increase in employment since 2010 were: Financial Activities (-19.4%), Information (-13.4%) and Professional and Business Services (-1.8%).
    • Of note, in 2012, Financial Activities jobs were at a 5-year loss of -12.72% and then in 2013, at a -18.9% so this has been increasing with each year overall.
    • Also of note in the Professional and Business Sector, this is the first time we are seeing a negative job growth overall since 2010. In 2012, employment was at a 5-year increase of 9.55% and in 2013, it was at a 5.8% 5-year increase.
  • The industries that had the highest increase in number of new businesses since 2010 were: Financial Activities (15.6%), Natural Resources and Mining (13.0%) and Education and Health Services (11.7%).
    • Of note, even though Financial Activities has gained the most in new businesses, the industry saw a -19.4% loss in employment over the last 5 years.
  • The industries that had the lowest increase in number of new businesses since 2010 were: Information (-10.1%), Construction (-4.6%), and Manufacturing (5.0%)
    • Of note, Construction businesses were at a -21.44% decrease over the past 5-years in 2012 and at 5-year decrease of -5.2% in 2013 so good news for the Construction industry! The same can be said for the Manufacturing industry. In 2012, they were at a -17.6% decrease in 5-year growth, in 2013, the industry improved slightly with a -2.4% 4-year decrease and is now seeing positive growth.
New Business Licenses Issued
The one year chart seems to show peaks and valleys and a positive trend for December.

Residential Housing Market
There are more houses on the market now than last year at a 35.2% increase in active inventory and a 5.7% increase in the number sold since last year. The average price has dropped slightly by -1.6%

Countywide Permits
2014 saw the second highest number of commercial and industrial permits over the past 5 years at 928 and the second highest in commercial and industrial construction costs over the past 5 years at $164,822,919.