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Job growth fuels Sussex economy

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In an average month, 180 people are born, 187 die, and 280 move there.

By Kathy Canavan

Sussex County grew jobs faster than both Delaware and the United States in 2014. Jobs were up almost 18 percent.

Unemployment, which stood at 8 percent in 2010, dropped to 6.1 percent for 2014.

Edward Simon, workforce analyst for the Delaware Economic Development Office, said the job growth is fueling the Sussex economy. “The labor market and economy in Sussex County were very strong in 2014. This was much stronger than in prior years,” he said.

Fun fact about Sussex: In an average month, 180 people are born, 187 people die, and 280 people move there from somewhere else.

Facts about Sussex’s economy:

  • The median household income was $51,472 last year, significantly lower than Delaware’s $58,903 median, but close to the national median of $51,972.
  • Household income in the eastern portion of the county, which includes the beaches, was $56,706, while median income in western Sussex was more than $9,000 lower.
  • Most Sussex countians work in retail and wholesale trade, leisure and hospitality, and health care. Other major employment sectors include food manufacturing, education, professional and business services, construction, and financial, insurance and real estate.
  • The average annual wage for all industries was $35,213 for 2013, compared with $52,021 for the state.
  • Sussex County has more acres of farmland than New Castle and Kent counties combined.
  • Poultry and eggs represent about 71 percent of the $921 million worth
    of agricultural products sold.
  • Sussex is the No. 1 broiler-producing county in the U.S.
  • Other leading products are corn, wheat and soybeans.kathy-sussex county
  • Turnover rates in Sussex are generally higher than the rest of the state. The industry with the highest turnover was arts and entertainment at 17.8 percent, then accommodations and food services at 17.7 percent. The industries with the lowest turnover were information at 5.7 percent, education at 4.8 percent, and utilities at 1.6 percent.
  • Many Sussex countians work in establishments with no other employees, especially those in professional and business services, finance, insurance, real estate, construction, retail and wholesale trade, and other services, such as repair and personal care. The average annual gross receipts for establishments with no employees were $47,471 in 2012, the latest year available.
  • Sussex County is graying, with 28 percent of residents now 55-plus. That’s projected to rise to 42 percent by 2030.
  • The beaches area draws more older people. The median age in eastern Sussex is 55, while the median in western Sussex is 39.
  • The industries with the largest number of older workers are retail trade with 24 percent, health care and social assistance with 26 percent, manufacturing with 22 percent, education with 29 percent, construction with 22 percent, real estate and rental and leasing with 35 percent, and other services with 26 percent.

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