Labor Supply Factors and Labor Availability
for the Chadron (Dawes County) Labor Area
Shannon
Fall River
SD
NE
SD
Sioux
Dawes
Sheridan
Chadron
Box Butte
Scotts Bluff
Prepared by:
Kenneth M. Lemke, Ph.D.
Economist
Nebraska Public Power District
1414 15th Street - P.O. Box 499
Columbus, Nebraska 68602-0499
(800) 282-6773, Ext. 5535
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web Site: sites.nppd.com
NE
Labor Supply Factors and Labor Availability
for the Chadron (Dawes County) Labor Area
Executive Summary
The information provided in this report indicates that a prospective new employer
providing job opportunities with competitive wages and benefits and offering career
opportunities would be a welcome addition to the employment base in Chadron and the
Dawes County Labor Area. The response to such employment opportunities would be
substantial, and as this report shows, there is a sizeable labor force and population base
living within the Chadron Labor Area. Some of the pertinent findings of the report
include:
Population in the Chadron Labor Area (Dawes County, plus Box Butte,
Scotts Bluff, Sheridan, and Sioux Counties in Nebraska and Fall River and Shannon
Counties in South Dakota) totaled 85,260 people in 2011, with the Dawes County
population totaling 9,196. Population in Dawes County grew by 0.2 percent during
the period 2010–2011, compared to a population increase of 0.4 percent for the
seven-county Chadron Labor Area as a whole.
The Chadron Labor Area labor force totaled 41,449 in 2011, with 39,175 local
residents employed in jobs either within or outside the area. A total of
31,764 persons were employed in nonfarm wage and salary jobs1 located within the
area.
In 2010, 583 primary jobs (27.3 percent) held by Chadron residents and 956 primary
jobs (30.2 percent) held by Dawes County residents were located outside Dawes
County. This confirms a large number of Dawes County residents are commuting to
jobs in other counties.
Average annual wages for all nonfarm wage and salary employees in the Chadron
Labor Area were $5,610 less than the Nebraska average. Within the labor area,
Shannon, SD County had the highest average wage, $36,445 or $1,824 lower than
the Nebraska average. In Dawes County, average annual salaries were $10,365 less
than the state average.
The basic conclusion of this report, which follows from the data and analysis presented,
is that the Chadron Labor Area and Dawes County would be able to provide a significant
number of dedicated and skilled workers to meet the needs of additional employers in the
area. While this report has not estimated a precise number of people that may be available
for a prospective new employer in the Chadron area, it is anticipated that if attractive
1
Nonfarm wage and salary employment data are derived from businesses subject to State unemployment insurance
laws and from Federal agencies subject to the Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees program. Nonfarm
wage and salary employment data includes 99.7% of all wage and salary civilian employment. Self-employed workers,
unpaid family workers, workers in certain not-for-profit organizations, and several other small (primarily seasonal)
worker categories are not included.
i
working conditions with competitive wages and employee benefits were offered, a
prospective new employer would be able to select their workforce from a substantial pool
of applicants.
ii
Labor Supply Factors and Labor Availability
for the Chadron (Dawes County) Labor Area
This report presents selected labor-related and demographic data that provide insights
into the labor supply situation in Chadron (Dawes County) and the surrounding area.
Counties were selected for inclusion in the study area based upon their geographical
proximity to Chadron and the number of people commuting to or from a county to
Chadron and Dawes County for employment.
In reviewing the data presented in this report, it will
be evident that the Chadron Labor Area has a
sizeable pool of labor to provide for the labor
requirements of additional employers in the area,
both in the near term and over the long run. Data
presented in this report includes tables on labor
force, employment, and population for Dawes
SD
County and for the surrounding counties that make
NE
up the potential laborshed area for Chadron.
Figure One includes a map outlining the geographic
area which has been defined as the Chadron Labor
Area.
Figure One
Chadron Labor Area
Shannon
Fall River
SD
Sioux
Dawes
Sheridan
NE
Chadron
Box Butte
An important resource for new or expanding
businesses is a readily available supply of workers.
Scotts Bluff
Whether an employer requires 5 or 500 workers,
they need to have confidence there will be a
sufficient number of workers available to meet their labor requirements. This report is
provided as a key analytical tool to identify and quantify the number and selected
characteristics of workers available in the Chadron Labor Area.
Available labor supply is defined as the number of persons who would potentially apply
for employment when a job becomes available. Potential workers are categorized into
two groups; those currently employed who would consider other employment
opportunities and those who do not currently have a job.
One factor contributing to the available supply of workers is the willingness of workers
already employed to change jobs. Factors influencing this decision are related to wages,
fringe benefits, hours, and working conditions. Generally, workers are more inclined to
change jobs when the wages and benefits for the potential new job are better and/or when
they are optimistic about the economy.
Factors contributing to the available supply of people without jobs include the
unemployment rate, labor force participation, and migration. To be classified as
unemployed, an individual must have been actively looking for work in the last
four weeks, unless they were expecting recall from a layoff or waiting to start a job
within 30 days.
1
There are also potential workers that are classified as not presently in the labor force.
These individuals may not be participating in the labor force as employed or unemployed
workers for various reasons. They may be unable to work because of school or family
responsibilities or they may have an illness that has prevented them from becoming part
of the labor force. There may also be workers who have not been able to find
employment in the past and have become discouraged or who are no longer actively
seeking employment because they perceive there are no attractive job opportunities
available in the area. Retired persons are also classified as not in the labor force,
although this population group often can provide substantial labor resources for selected
business operations. Within the group of persons not currently in the labor force, and
therefore not actively seeking employment, are many individuals who would accept a job
with attractive working conditions, competitive wages, and employee benefits if one
became available.
Population migration is another factor that affects the available labor supply of potential
workers who are not presently employed (and may not be seeking work within the local
labor market). Persons without jobs and who perceive that there are no job opportunities
available locally are the most likely to leave (migrate out) the area for employment
opportunities elsewhere.
Labor Force and Employment
Table One provides data showing labor force and employment trends for the Chadron
Labor Area and for Dawes County for selected years from 2006 to 2011. Data in
Table One (Part A and Part B) provide two alternate measures of employment for
two distinct areas. Data presented in Table One, Part A include labor force,
unemployment, employment, and nonfarm wage and salary employment data for the
entire Chadron Labor Area (see Figure One). As these data indicate, the total labor force
and total employment for the laborshed area as a whole moved slightly and in opposite
directions. The area labor force increased by just 0.8 percent between 2006 and 2011 and
total employment declined by 1.2 percent during the same period.
Table One
Labor Force and Employment, Chadron Labor Area(a), 2006–2011
Part A
Labor Force and Employment
Chadron Labor Area(a), 2006–2011
(Place of Residence)
Labor Force(b)
Unemployment (#)
Unemployment Rate (%)
Employment
2006
41,123
1,487
3.6
39,636
2007
41,317
1,405
3.4
39,912
2008
41,348
1,606
3.9
39,742
2009
41,449
2,434
5.9
39,015
2010
41,239
2,383
5.8
38,856
2011
41,449
2,274
5.5
39,175
(Place of Work)
Nonfarm Employment (c)
32,633
33,087
32,846
32,355
Table One continued on following page; notes and sources on following page.
31,871
31,764
% Chg.
2006–2011
0.8
52.9
(N/A)
-1.2
-2.7
2
Table One -- Continued
Part B
Labor Force and Employment by Industry
Dawes County, NE
% Chg.
(Place of Residence)
Labor Force
(b)
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2005–2011
4,674
4,816
4,839
4,718
4,706
4,755
1.7
Unemployment (#)
130
130
140
210
217
209
60.8
Unemployment Rate (%)
2.8
2.7
2.9
4.5
4.6
4.4
(N/A)
4,544
4,686
4,702
4,519
4,716
4,756
4.7
3,433
3,594
3,605
3,438
3,370
3,297
-4.0
Goods Producing
229
232
254
237
234
230
0.4
Manufacturing
26
21
17
18
17
16
-38.5
Employment
(Place of Work)
Nonfarm Employment (c)
Natural Resources
Construction
Service Providing
Trans.,Warehousing & Utilities
Information
(c)
101
89
92
91
7.1
136
130
125
123
4.2
2,038
2,255
2,237
2,038
1,941
1,933
-5.2
812
820
793
766
765
755
-7.0
57
46
47
45
46
50
-12.3
114
117
114
115
113
115
0.9
139
311
293
160
70
129
-7.2
Education & Health Services
386
398
391
382
404
424
9.8
Leisure and Hospitality
479
491
500
482
453
410
-14.4
Other Services, except Public
(b)
92
119
Financial Activities
Professional & Business
Services
51
72
99
88
90
50
-2.0
1,166
1,107
1,114
1,163
1,195
1,134
-2.7
Federal Government
148
138
135
140
144
135
-8.8
State Government
473
416
406
451
479
456
-3.6
Local Government
545
553
573
572
572
543
-0.4
Total Government
(a)
85
118
The Chadron Labor Area includes Dawes, Box Butte, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan, and Sioux Counties in Nebraska plus Fall River, and
Shannon Counties in South Dakota.
The labor force data are measured based on the county of residence, irrespective of the county of employment.
The Nonfarm Employment data are for wage and salary employment and are based on the place (county) where the individual is
employed, irrespective of the county of residence.
N/A: Not Available
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov/cew/.
3
The second employment measure presented for the Chadron Labor Area, nonfarm wage
and salary employment fell from 32,633 in 2006 to 31,764 in 2011, a decline of
2.7 percent. In the case of the labor force data (labor force, unemployment, and
employment), the respective measures are based on the county of residence. The
nonfarm wage and salary employment data are measured based on the county of
employment, irrespective of the place of residence of the workers.
The labor force and employment measures presented for Dawes County (Table One,
Part B) indicate that the total labor force in the county grew by 1.7 percent between 2006
and 2011, with total employment (of people residing in Dawes County, irrespective of
their county of employment) growing by 4.7 percent during this period. It is also of
interest to note that unemployment increased by 60.8 percent, from 130 in 2006 to 209 in
2011.
As previously noted, the second employment measure presented for Dawes County,
nonfarm wage and salary employment, is based on the county where the person is
employed irrespective of their county of residence. Nonfarm, wage and salary
employment in Dawes County declined by 4.0 percent between 2006 and 2011. Data
presented in Table One, Part B show that the fastest growing employment sector in
Dawes County during the 2006–2011 review period was the Education & Health Services
sector, recording a 9.8 percent increase between 2006 and 2011. Other economic sectors
experiencing growth in employment between 2006 and 2011 include the Natural
Resources sector (7.1 percent), Construction (4.2 percent), and the Financial Activities
sector (0.9 percent). In the case of the Total Government Sector, employment in the
Federal Government Sector employment declined by 8.8 percent while State Government
Sector employment declined by 3.6 percent and Local Government Sector employment
declined by 0.4 percent.
A review of the employment data reported for the Chadron Labor Area (Table Two)
indicates differences between the nonfarm wage and salary employment reported in each
of the counties and the total employment of persons living in these respective areas. In
the case of the entire Chadron Labor Area, nonfarm wage and salary employment was
reported to be 31,764 in 2011, which was significantly less (7,411) than the reported total
employment of persons living within the seven-county Chadron Labor Area.
4
Table Two
Labor Force, Employment, and Nonfarm Wage and Salary Employment,
Chadron Labor Area, 2011
County
Dawes
Box Butte
Scotts Bluff
Sheridan
Sioux
Fall River, SD
Shannon, SD
Labor Force
2011(a)
4,965
5,511
19,472
3,088
729
3,804
3,880
Labor Area
(a)
(b)
(c)
41,449
Total
Employment
2011(a)
4,756
5,255
18,509
2,986
701
3,611
3,357
Nonfarm
Wage & Salary
Employment
2011(b)
3,297
3,830
16,672
1,689
159
2,474
3,643
39,175
31,764
Total Employment
Minus NF W&S
Employment
1,459
1,425
1,837
1,297
542
1,137
-286
7,411
Agricultural
Employment
2010(c)
454
560
737
596
428
324
237
3,336
Labor force and employment data are measured based on the county of residence.
Nonfarm Employment data are for wage and salary employment and are based on the place (county)
where the individual is employed, irrespective of the county of residence.
Agricultural employment data are for 2010, the latest year available.
Sources: Labor Data - U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov/lau/#data.
Farm Employment Data - U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Accounts Data
www.bea.gov/regional/reis/.
There are two major reasons for differences in the total employment and nonfarm
employment values. First, nonfarm wage and salary employment excludes self-employed
workers, unpaid family workers, workers in certain not-for-profit organizations, and
several other small (primarily seasonal and farm) worker categories–these workers are
included in estimates of total employment. Second estimates of nonfarm wage and salary
employment is based on the area where the jobs (businesses) are located while estimates
of total employment are based on the area where workers live.
Table Two also includes information on agricultural employment, which includes farm
proprietors. As shown in Table Two, 3,336 people in the Chadron Labor Area were
employed in agriculture in 2010, the last year that agricultural employment data were
available. It is important to note, that for Nebraska as a whole, approximately 32 percent
of farm operators also have a full-time job off the farm and 49 percent work off the farm,
either in full- or part-time employment.
The number of nonfarm wage and salary workers in the Chadron Labor Area is shown by
major industry sector and by county in Table Three. The reader is reminded that nonfarm
wage and salary workers are counted in the county where they are employed. Individuals
with more than one job are counted at each establishment (and in each county) where
they work. Table Three provides information about the number of workers in the labor
area by county and major industry category.
5
Table Three
Nonfarm Wage and Salary Employment, by Industry Sector
Chadron Labor Area, by County, 2011
County
Dawes
Box Butte
Scotts Bluff
Sheridan
Sioux
Fall River, SD
Shannon, SD
Labor Area
Nebraska
Labor Area
Nebraska
Natural
Resources &
Manuf.
107
537
1,263
159
34
92
12
2,204
53,865
Natural
Resources
& Manuf.
6.9
6.0
Constr.
123
99
823
19
0
89
60
1,213
93,578
Trade,
Transport. &
Utilities
755
872
3,724
474
20
291
206
6,342
185,665
Prof. and
Business
Services
129
177
1,282
27
0
61
45
1,721
102,484
Leisure & All Other
Hosp.
Svc.
410
639
359
728
1,613
4,788
141
207
0
13
410
458
117
130
3,050
6,963
81,754
322,341
Govt.
1,134
1,058
3,179
662
92
1,073
3,073
10,271
61,811
Percent of Total Nonfarm Wage and Salary Employment
Trade,
Prof. and
All
Transport. &
Business
Leisure & Other
Constr.
Utilities
Services
Hosp.
Svc.
Govt.
3.8
20.0
5.4
9.6
21.9
32.3
10.4
20.6
11.4
9.1
35.8
6.9
Work
Force
3,297
3,830
16,672
1,689
159
2,474
3,643
31,764
901,498
Work
Force
100.0
100.0
N/A: Not available
data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov/cew/.
In addition to displaying the number of workers by major industry sector, Table Three
also compares the percentage distribution of workers by industry in the Chadron Labor
Area with the distribution for the State of Nebraska. As these data show, the industry
distribution of employment for the Chadron Labor Area is significantly different than that
for Nebraska as a whole.
The most significant deviations between Nebraska and the Chadron Labor Area occur in
the Government sector employment, with 32.3 percent of nonfarm wage and salary
workers in the Chadron area employed in that sector, compared to 6.9 percent for
Nebraska. Conversely, only 21.9 percent of nonfarm wage and salary workers in the
Chadron Labor Area are employed in the All Other Services sector, compared to
35.8 percent for Nebraska as a whole.
Table Four, Part A provides data showing labor cost comparisons, by county, for all
private and public wage and salary workers for the Chadron Labor Area. It is important
to remember that the wage and salary employment is reported by county of employment,
and does not provide an indication of the average weekly and annual wage for residents
of the respective counties. Obviously, labor cost is an important consideration in any
analysis of the labor availability in an area. Pay data for workers covered by
unemployment insurance laws in Nebraska are the source of the labor cost information.
Average annual pay is calculated by dividing the total payroll for wage and salary
workers by the average annual number of employees.
6
A review of the data in Table Four, Part A indicates that average annual salaries in
Dawes County ($27,904 for all wage and salary employees for all private industries) are
slightly lower than for the Chadron Labor Area as a whole and most of the other counties
that make up the area. Also, Dawes County average annual salaries are $10,365
(27.1 percent) less than the state average. Average annual salaries for the Chadron Labor
Area ($32,659) were $5,610 (14.7 percent) less than the Nebraska average. These data
suggest, of course, there would be a positive labor supply response in Dawes County to
the creation of additional employment opportunities with competitive wages and benefits.
Table Four
Average Pay, Chadron Labor Area & Nebraska, 2011
Part A
Average Annual Pay and Average Weekly Wages
All Covered(a) Wage and Salary Workers, All Industries
Average
Employment
3,297
3,830
16,672
1,689
159
2,474
3,643
County
Dawes
Box Butte
Scotts Bluff
Sheridan
Sioux
Fall River, SD
Shannon, SD
Labor Area
Nebraska
Average Weekly
Wages
$537
$615
$650
$475
$481
$633
$701
31,764
901,498
Average Annual
Wages
$27,904
$31,958
$33,813
$24,706
$25,020
$32,925
$36,445
$626
$736
$32,659
$38,269
Part B
Average Annual Pay All Covered(a) Wage and Salary Workers
By Selected Industry Groups
Trade,
ServiceTransp.,
Financial
Providing and Utilities Activities
Prof. &
Leisure
Business
and
Services Hospitality
GoodsProducing
Manuf.
Constr.
Dawes
$39,376
$22,468
$25,935
$22,349
$21,469
$28,277
$20,165
$10,849
Box Butte
$40,037
$47,715
$28,954
$26,014
$31,758
$33,731
$27,340
$11,135
Scotts Bluff
$34,864
$36,742
$34,554
$32,696
$29,130
$36,853
$36,585
$13,055
Sheridan
$25,672
$22,447
$28,248
$21,213
$21,721
$32,195
$24,442
$9,054
Sioux
$25,781
N/A
N/A
$22,240
$23,288
N/A
N/A
N/A
Fall River, SD
$28,321
$25,885
$24,432
$27,355
$22,606
$28,974
$24,722
$12,150
Shannon, SD
$26,597
N/A
$27,514
$22,653
$16,724
$20,138
$42,626
$10,267
Nebraska
$41,538
$42,962
$41,077
$36,585
$32,724
$51,760
$49,035
$13,194
County
N/A: Not Available.
(a)
Includes employers that are subject to Nebraska Employment Security Laws.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov/cew/.
7
Table Four, Part B provides average annual wages, by county and by major, private
industry sector, for the counties that make up the Chadron Labor Area. As the data in
Table Four indicate, the highest overall average annual wages in the area are for wage
and salary workers employed in Shannon, SD County. The average annual wage for all
wage and salary workers (working) in Shannon, SD County was $36,445 in 2011 which
was $3,786 (11.6 percent) higher than the average for the Chadron Labor Area as a
whole, and $1,824 (4.8 percent) less than the Nebraska average. The high average annual
wage for Shannon, SD are due to high average wages in the public sector, which is not
shown in Part B of Table Four.
Commuting Patterns
Table Five provides data from the 2010 U.S. Census, Local Employment Dynamics
Program showing commuting patterns for workers living in the Chadron Labor Area.
Data in Table Five indicate, a significant number (and percentage) of workers in the area
commuted outside of their county of residence for employment. Data for Dawes County
indicate that 956, or 30.2 percent of the employed workers, commuted to other counties
for employment. For four of the other counties in the Chadron Labor Area, the
percentage of commuters was greater than for Dawes County, and in some cases
substantially greater. In the case of Sioux County, 368, or 79.5 percent of employed
workers commuted out of their county of residence for employment. Other counties with
a high percentage of employed workers commuting to other counties for employment
include Sheridan (53.5 percent), Fall River (34.6 percent), and Box Butte, with
32.5 percent of employed workers commuting out of their county of residence for
employment.
Table Five
Commuting Patterns, Chadron Labor Area
Jobs Outside County of Residence, 2010
County Residents
Working Outside County
County
Dawes
Box Butte
Scotts Bluff
Sheridan
Sioux
Shannon, SD
Fall River, SD
Number
Percent
956
1,294
3,187
1,048
368
419
812
30.2%
32.5%
19.8%
53.5%
79.5%
15.6%
34.6%
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Local Employment Dynamics.
8
Table Six provides further detail illustrating the willingness of workers in Chadron and
Dawes County to travel for employment. In 2010, residents of Dawes County worked at
a total of 3,165 jobs; a resident could work at more than one job. Of these 3,165 jobs, the
largest number, 2,209 or 69.8% percent, were located in Dawes County, while 171 or
5.4% percent were located in Scotts Bluff County. Other counties with high numbers of
workers from Dawes County were Box Butte (98 jobs), Sheridan (67 jobs), and
Shannon (55 jobs).
Also in 2009, residents of Chadron worked at a total of 2,133 jobs with the largest
number, 1,550 or 72.7% percent located in Dawes County. Other counties with high
numbers of workers from Chadron were Scotts Bluff (110 jobs), Box Butte (49 jobs),
plus Sheridan and Shannon, SD, which each attracted 39 workers.
Table Six
Commuting Patterns, Chadron Labor Area
Location of Jobs Held by Chadron and Dawes County Residents, 2010
County Where Jobs are
Located
Dawes
Scotts Bluff
Box Butte
Sheridan
Shannon, SD
All Other Locations
Total Resident Jobs
Primary Jobs Held
by Chadron
Residents
1,550
110
49
39
39
346
2,133
Percent
Chadron
Residents’
Primary Jobs
72.7%
5.2%
2.3%
1.8%
1.8%
16.2%
100.0%
Primary Jobs Held
by
Dawes County
Residents
2,209
171
98
67
55
565
3,165
Percent Dawes
County
Residents’
Primary Jobs
69.8%
5.4%
3.1%
2.1%
1.7%
17.9%
100.0%
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Local Employment Dynamics.
9
Table Seven provides data showing the willingness of workers in other counties to
commute to Chadron and Dawes County for employment. In 2010, 808 or 31.0 percent of
the 2,606 primary jobs in Chadron were held by residents of other counties. Sheridan
County was home to the greatest number of workers commuting into Chadron from
outside Dawes County, 134, 5.1 percent, followed by Box Butte County 116 or 4.5
percent and Scotts Bluff County 115 or 4.4 percent.
Data in Table Seven indicate 1,037 (31.9 percent) of the 3,246 primary jobs in
Dawes County were held by workers commuting from other counties. In 2010,
Sheridan County was home to the greatest number of workers commuting to Dawes for
primary jobs, 242 or 7.5 percent, followed by Box Butte County, 130 or 4.0 percent and
Scotts Bluff County, 128 or 3.9 percent.
Table Seven
Commuting Patterns, Chadron Labor Area
Sources of Chadron and Dawes County Workers, 2010
County Where
Workers Live
Dawes
Sheridan
Box Butte
Scotts Bluff
Sioux
Fall River, SD
Shannon, SD
All Other Locations
Total Primary Jobs
Number of
Primary Jobs in
Chadron
1,798
134
116
115
7
24
2
410
2,606
Percent of
Primary Jobs in
Chadron
Number of
Primary Jobs in
Dawes County
69.0%
5.1%
4.5%
4.4%
0.3%
0.9%
0.1%
15.7%
100.0%
2,209
242
130
128
33
30
4
470
3,246
Percent of
Primary Jobs in
Dawes County
68.1%
7.5%
4.0%
3.9%
1.0%
0.9%
0.1%
14.5%
100.0%
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Local Employment Dynamics.
10
Table Eight provides data for Dawes County showing the number of primary jobs
(Workforce) located in the county and the number of primary jobs held by county
residents (Labor Force Employment) by industry in 2010. When the Workforce for an
industry exceeds the Labor Force (positive values in the last column of Table Eight), the
difference between these values represents the net number of jobs in Dawes County held
by workers commuting into the county from other areas. If the Workforce is less than the
Labor Force (negative values in the last column of Table Eight), the difference represents
the net number of jobs held outside of Dawes County by county residents.
As data in Table Eight indicate, residents of Dawes County were employed in
3,165 primary jobs in 2010, but there were 3,246 primary jobs within the area. This
indicates workers from counties outside the study area commuted to at least 81 primary
jobs within the study area. It is important to note this is an estimate of net in-commuting
and most certainly understates the actual number of primary jobs within the area held by
residents from outside the study area.
Table Eight
Primary Jobs, Dawes County, 2010
Resident Labor Force and Employers Workforce
9
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction
Utilities
Construction
Manufacturing
Wholesale Trade
Retail Trade
Transportation and Warehousing
Information
Finance and Insurance
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Administration & Support, Waste Management and
Remediation
Management of Companies and Enterprises
Educational Services
Health Care and Social Assistance
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
Accommodation and Food Services
Other Services (excluding Public Administration)
Public Administration
Labor Force
Employment
(Employment of
Area Residents)
26
72
24
119
31
117
465
61
56
125
17
59
63
15
626
483
13
330
76
387
Workforce
(Area Jobs)
7
91
37
119
16
89
545
19
57
105
16
53
31
3
639
503
8
413
90
405
Net Number
of Jobs Held
by Workers
Commuting
Into Dawes
County(a)
-19
19
13
0
-15
-28
80
-42
1
-20
-1
-6
-32
-12
13
20
-5
83
14
18
Total
3,165
3,246
81
(a)
A negative value indicates the net number of primary jobs outside of the area held by Chadron Labor Area Residents.
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Local Employment Dynamics, http://lehdmap4.did.census.gov/themap4/.
11
Population Trends
The data provided in Table Nine show population trends for the Chadron Labor Area, by
county, and for Nebraska for the 1960–2011 period. As these data indicate, the
population of the Chadron Labor Area was 84,920 in 2010. The Chadron Labor Area
population grew by 1.9 percent from 1960 to 2010 and grew 0.4 percent from 2010 to
2011. Population in Dawes County totaled 9,182 in 2010 and had declined by 3.7 percent
from 1960 to 2010. During the latest Census decade from 2010 to 2011, the
Dawes County population increased by 0.2 percent, compared to the increase for the
Chadron Labor Area as a whole of 0.4 percent, and to the State rate of growth of
0.9 percent.
Table Nine
Population in the Chadron Labor Area, by County, and Nebraska
Selected Years, 1960–2011
% Chg.
% Chg.
COUNTY
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010
2011
1960–2010 2010–11
Dawes
9,536
9,693
9,609
9,021
9,060
9,182
9,196
-3.7
0.2
Box Butte
11,688
10,094 13,696
13,130
12,158
11,308
11,383
-3.3
0.7
Scotts Bluff
33,809
36,432 38,344
36,025
36,951
36,970
37,044
9.3
0.2
Sheridan
9,049
7,285
7,544
6,750
6,198
5,469
5,392
-39.6
-1.4
Sioux
2,575
2,034
1,845
1,549
1,475
1,311
1,336
-49.1
1.9
Fall River, SD
10,688
7,505
8,439
7,353
7,453
7,094
6,981
-33.6
-1.6
Shannon, SD
6,000
8,198 11,323
9,902
12,466
13,586
13,928
126.4
2.5
Labor Area
83,345
81,241 90,800
83,730
85,761
84,920
85,260
1.9
0.4
Nebraska
1,411,330 1,483,493 1,569,825 1,578,385 1,711,263 1,826,341 1,842,641
29.4
0.9
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census of Population, 1960-2010 and Population Estimates by State, 2011.
12
Table Ten shows the age distribution of the resident population. Obviously, the age
distribution of the population is important when evaluating the potential labor supply in
an area. A key variable is the number of people in the working age populations of the
counties making up the Chadron Labor Area. In 2010, there were 3,677 people in
Dawes County between the ages of 25 and 64, which represented 40.0 percent of the total
population, compared to 48.0 percent of the population for the Chadron Labor Area as a
whole and 51.4 percent of the Nebraska population in this age range.
Table Ten
Age Characteristics of the Population, Chadron Labor Area,
by County, and Nebraska, 2010
0-14
County
Number
Dawes
1,380
Box Butte
2,363
Scotts Bluff
7,645
Sheridan
995
Sioux
234
Fall River, SD
1,085
Shannon, SD
4,422
Labor Area
18,124
Nebraska
385,319
15-24
% (a)
15.0
20.8
20.6
18.5
17.5
15.3
32.5
21.3
20.9
Number
2,628
1,260
4,682
535
130
632
2,768
12,635
259,775
% (a)
28.6
11.1
12.6
9.9
9.7
8.9
20.4
14.9
14.1
25-44
Number
1,685
2,570
8,523
1,056
255
1,262
3,210
18,561
469,326
% (a)
18.3
22.6
23.0
19.6
19.1
17.8
23.6
21.8
25.5
45-64
Number
1,992
3,423
9,922
1,600
423
2,477
2,387
22,224
477,839
% (a)
21.7
30.1
26.8
29.7
31.7
34.9
17.6
26.1
25.9
65-Older
Number
1,511
1,767
6,272
1,206
294
1,638
799
13,487
250,382
% (a)
16.4
15.5
16.9
22.4
22.0
23.1
5.9
15.9
13.6
Median
Age
31.2
41.1
39.2
47.0
47.7
50.5
23.5
37.7
36.2
(a)
Percent of total population for each respective area.
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census of Population, Summary File One, 2010.
13
Table Eleven provides information showing population, the natural increase (births minus
deaths) and net migration for the 1990–2000 period for Nebraska, for Dawes County and
for the Chadron Labor Area. As these data show, the Chadron Labor Area as a whole
had a small rate of net out-migration during the Census decade of the 1990s, while, Box
Butte, Sheridan, and Sioux, Counties in Nebraska and Fall River, County in South
Dakota experienced net in-migration. As indicated in the table, net out-migration for the
Chadron Labor Area as a whole accounted for a population decline of 5,742 people
during the decade, contributing to a population decrease equal to only 6.7 percent of the
population. In the case of Dawes County, net out-migration during 1990s totaled 167
people, or 1.8 percent of the 1990 population.
Table Eleven
Population, Births, Deaths, and Migration
Nebraska and Chadron Labor Area by County, 1990–2000
County
Dawes
Box Butte
Scotts Bluff
Sheridan
Sioux
(a)
Fall River, SD
(a)
Shannon, SD
Labor Area
Nebraska
Population
1990
2000
9,060
9,021
12,158
13,130
36,951
36,025
6,198
6,750
1,475
1,549
7,453
7,353
12,466
9,902
85,761
83,730
1,578,385
1,711,263
Births
1,053
1,746
5,289
753
115
771
3,438
13,165
235,210
1990–2000
Deaths
925
1,258
4,032
892
98
1,169
1,080
9,454
150,599
Nat. Incr.
128
488
1,257
-139
17
-398
2,358
3,711
84,611
Net Migration*, 1990–2000
Number
% 1990 Pop.
-167
-1.8
484
4.0
-2,183
-5.9
691
11.1
57
3.9
298
4.0
-4,922
-39.5
-5,742
-6.7
48,267
3.1
* Net Migration from the Bureau of the Census estimates, includes residual component not shown separately.
(a)
Values for births and deaths for Fall River and Shannon Counties in South Dakota are estimates by Ken Lemke,
Economist, Nebraska Public Power District, based on U.S. Bureau of the Census, Components of Population
Change, 1990–1999.
Sources: Population (1990, 2000) - U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census of Population, 1990, 2000;
Births, Deaths, and Natural Increase – Nebraska Department of Health Vital Statistics Data;
Migration - computed using population and natural increase.
14
Table Twelve provides information showing population, the natural increase (births
minus deaths), and net migration for the 2000–2010 period. As these data show, the
Chadron Labor Area experienced significant net out-migration during this more recent
nine-year period. As indicated in the table, out-migration for the Chadron Labor Area as
a whole accounted for a population decline of 4,508 during the 2000–2010 period,
contributing to a population decrease equal to 5.3 percent of the 2000 population. In the
case of Dawes County, net out-migration during this nine-year period was 10, or
0.1 percent of the 2000 population.
Table Twelve
Population, Births, Deaths, and Migration
Nebraska and Chadron Labor area, by County, 2000 2010
2000 2010
Net Migration, 2000 2010*
Population
County
2000
2010
Births
Deaths
Nat. Incr.
Number
% 2000 Pop.
Dawes
9,060
9,182
1,099
967
132
-10
-0.1
Box Butte
12,158
11,308
1,665
1,346
319
-1,169
-9.6
Scotts Bluff
36,951
36,970
5,974
4,750
1,224
-1,205
-3.3
Sheridan
6,198
5,469
721
860
-139
-590
-9.5
Sioux
1,475
1,311
110
91
19
-183
-12.4
Fall River, SD(a)
7,453
7,094
674
1,137
-463
104
1.4
Shannon, SD(a)
12,466
13,586
3,833
1,258
2,575
-1,455
-11.7
Labor Area
85,761
84,920
14,076
10,409
3,667
-4,508
-5.3
Nebraska
1,711,263
1,826,341
286,705
151,503
135,202
-20,124
-1.2
* Net Migration from the Bureau of the Census estimates, includes residual component not shown separately.
(a)
Values for births and deaths for Fall River and Shannon Counties in South Dakota are estimates by Ken Lemke,
Economist, Nebraska Public Power District, based on U.S. Bureau of the Census, Components of Population
Change, 2000–2009.
Sources: Population (2000, 2010) - U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census of Population, 2000, 2010;
Births, Deaths, and Natural Increase – Nebraska Department of Health Vital Statistics Data;
Migration - computed using population and natural increase.
Competitive Employment and Career Opportunities
An employer providing jobs with competitive wages and benefits and offering career
opportunities would be a welcome addition to the employment base in the Chadron Labor
Area and in Dawes County. The expected response to such employment opportunities
would be significant, and it is anticipated that there would be an adequate labor supply
response for a prospective new employer offering competitive wages and benefits in the
Chadron area. The labor force, employment, and demographic data presented in this
report illustrate quite clearly that there is a sufficiently large labor force and population
base living within the Chadron Labor Area, and that significant numbers of persons living
in the area are commuting to other areas for employment.
In conclusion, the data and analysis presented in this report indicate that the Chadron
Labor Area and Dawes County would be able to provide a significant number of
dedicated and skilled workers to meet the needs of additional employers in the area.
While this report has not estimated a precise number of people that might be available to
a prospective new employer in the Chadron area, it is anticipated that if attractive
working conditions with competitive wages and employee benefits were offered, a
15
prospective new employer would be able to select their workforce from a substantial pool
of applicants.
Questions concerning this report and the supporting data should be addressed to:
Kenneth M. Lemke, Ph.D.
Economist
Nebraska Public Power District
P.O. Box 499
Columbus, Nebraska 68602-0499
(402) 563-5535 or (800) 282-6773, Ext. 5535
E-Mail: [email protected]
16