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Wayne County’s location—in the northeast corner of the Commonwealth—puts us at the leading edge of expansion from the NY/NJ metro areas, and provides the basis for an increasing labor supply with a commuting pattern that favors local development. Wayne County grew by 19.5% during the last census period, and together with neighboring Pike, Monroe and Lackawanna Counties, created the fastest-growing region in the Commonwealth. From 1990 to 2000, the labor supply of this 4-county region increased by 16.1% compared to a growth of 3.7% within the Commonwealth as a whole. In 2003, the civilian labor force in this region was 209,100, with Wayne County contributing 20,800 of the total.
Although three thousand (3,000) are being added to the regional labor supply annually, this constitutes only a portion of labor that is available when we look at commuting patterns. The last census shows that Pike County, the 36th fastest-growing county in the U.S. (out of 3,155), had an average commute of 46 minutes, almost double the U.S. commuting time. In the 4-county region, nearly 25,000 indicted they were employed either outside their county or outside the Commonwealth. Therefore, we have a supply of labor that potentially would prefer local employment, thereby reducing commuting time and resulting in an increased quality of life.
The region’s colleges and universities also do their part. With approximately 6500 graduates each year, the labor supply is constantly rejuvenated with trained and talented individuals.
Table 1: Wayne County Civilian Labor Force and Unemployment Rate
Table 2: 4-County Region Civilian Labor Force
Table 3: Population Growth in the Labor Market Area
Table 4: Civilian Labor Force Growth – 1990 to 2000
Table 5: Location of Labor Market Area Employment
Workforce Development Financing Programs
Workforce Development Training Providers
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Population Growth and Labor Supply
A market analysis prepared for WEDCO by Reilly Associates and Shepstone Management Company revealed a rapidly growing labor pool with significant cost advantages. The labor supply was drawn from Wayne County and its three neighbors: Lackawanna, Pike, and Monroe. While there are significant differences between Lackawanna and the three Pocono counties in demographic growth patterns, culture and physical features, the four are linked through common economic development agencies, health systems, and highway networks. The following are key characteristics of the market:
The market is rapidly growing.
Altogether, the four counties represent a population of 446,006 persons in 2000, having added 63,290 persons over the decade. It experienced a net growth rate of 16.5% compared to Pennsylvania’s overall 3.4% gain. The New York and Northern New Jersey Metropolitan Area grew by 8.4%, indicating the Poconos represent the leading edge of that region’s expansion.
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Market Analysis prepared by Reilly Associates and Shepstone Management, Nov. 2003 Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau
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The labor pool is also rapidly growing.
The labor supply of individuals 16+ years of age within the 4-county region expanded by 29,409, or 16.1% between 1990 and 2000, some twenty times the rate of expansion within the Commonwealth as a whole.
Market Analysis prepared by Reilly Associates and Shepstone Management, Nov. 2003 Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau
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