What does this measure?

The growth or decline in total jobs, shown as a percentage gain or loss from the previous year.

Why is this important?

Job growth is a key indicator of economic health and vitality and reveals whether and by how much an economy is expanding. In addition to the number of jobs, the quality of jobs should be considered – this is reflected in measures of average salary.

How are Cayuga and Seneca counties performing?

Total jobs increased 0.4% in Cayuga County and 0.3% in Seneca County from 2009 to 2010, compared to declines of 0.3% in the nation and 0.2% in the state (excluding NYC). Since 2000, jobs have increased 9% in Seneca and 3% in Cayuga, compared to growth of 4% in the state and 5% in the nation. The comparison counties varied, with the biggest loss of 6% in Wayne and a gain for 9% in Ontario from 2000 to 2010.

Notes about the data

County employment is reported by place of work, not place of residence. Compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, this data series includes employment in farming and among sole proprietors. As a consequence, these totals are larger than those estimated monthly by the NYS Department of Labor and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.