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a shared vision for the future

Economic and Demographic Profile - Key Findings


This Economic and Demographic Profile income of any county in the Atlanta tor was hit hard by the 2001 recession
sought to understand patterns of change metro area. and has been contracting since 1980.
in terms of demographic characteristics, To an extent, high paying jobs are being
socioeconomic well-being, employment, • Poverty rates are on the rise. In replaced by lower-wage service indus-
income, and economic structure. Through 2003, the County’s poverty rate was 8.2 try jobs. Partially as a result, Gwinnett’s
the course of this analysis, several key percent, up 2.8 percent over five years. real per capita income and average
trends were exposed clarifying Gwinnett Similarly, children are more likely than annual wages have decreased since
County’s current realities compared to the adults to live in poverty in Gwinnett. 2000 after years of steady increases.
Atlanta region, Georgia, and the U.S. Child poverty rates at the metro, state, Reversing these trends will be key to
and national levels all declined while enhancing local wealth and increasing
DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS Gwinnett’s rate climbed 3 percent in Gwinnett’s competitive fiscal capacity.
• Gwinnett’s population growth the same time period.
shows no sign of slowing down. • Manufacturing jobs continue to be
ECONOMIC TRENDS lost in favor of service sector jobs.
Domestic migration is the top driver of
• Job growth has been strong and Between 1980 and 2000, Gwinnett’s
population change in Gwinnett. House-
County wages are above those job base grew more dependent on
holds moving between Gwinnett and
of the MSA and the nation. While the service sector. At the same time,
adjacent Barrow and DeKalb counties
Gwinnett’s average annual wage manufacturing lost the economy’s
account for the largest proportion of
growth has suffered since 2001, its largest share of jobs. These high paying
out-migrants and inmigrants, respec-
3rd quarter 2005 average annual jobs are being lost to lower wage jobs
tively.
wage of $41,239 still led those of the in administrative and waste services
• New residents continue to predom- Atlanta MSA ($37,371) and the nation and accommodation and food services.
inantly locate in unincorporated ($38,798). Certain studies have shown, however,
Gwinnett. For the past 15 years, the that manufacturing employees hired as
• Economic, as well as racial and
proportion of residents living within “temporary help” are actually counted
ethnic lines, are increasingly
the County’s 15 municipalities has as components of the administrative
dividing the “haves” and the “have
remained relatively consistent at about services sector.
nots” in Gwinnett County. The pro-
22 percent. The County government will
portion of minorities living in Gwinnett • Employment concentrations in
continue to be largely responsible for
County has increased since 2001 while highwage business sectors provide
meeting the needs of Gwinnett’s grow-
the County’s real per capita income economic development opportuni-
ing population.
has declined. Gwinnett’s poverty rate ties. Gwinnett’s wholesale trade and
• Gwinnett is diversifying, racially has also increased, with minorities information sectors are comparatively
and ethnically. While minorities ac- disproportionately affected. stronger than those of the state. These
counted for 10.6 percent of the County’s high wage sectors provide significant
• Certain workers are having dif-
population in 1990, they account for opportunity for strengthening and fur-
ficulty finding employment and
42.9 percent today. In fact, over 75 ther diversifying Gwinnett’s economy.
dropping out of the labor force,
percent of Gwinnett’s growth since
despite robust job growth. Since • Gwinnett’s entrepreneurial and
1990 has been comprised of minorities.
1990, unemployment rates have risen small business dynamics are en-
Diversity is an important strength of
and labor force participation rates have couraging. Between 1990 and 2004,
economically competitive communities.
declined. At the same time, Gwinnett’s Gwinnett closed the gap between local
Leveraging this diversity for Gwinnett
job growth has increased faster than and state entrepreneur average annual
County’s benefit will be a key issue for
the metro area, state, and nation. This earnings growing from $17,428 to
local leaders.
indicates that (1) more workers are $28,005. The County has higher propor-
• Among Atlanta metro counties, the dropping out of the labor force and (2) tions of entrepreneurs in construction,
disparity between in-migrant and more workers are having greater dif- wholesale trade, professional and
outmigrant incomes is the greatest ficulty finding employment, despite new technical services, and administrative
in Gwinnett. Between 2003 and 2004, job creation. and waste services relative to national
the County experienced the great- averages.
• Average wages and incomes are
est loss in per capita adjusted gross
falling. Gwinnett’s manufacturing sec-

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