Internet address:  http://stats.bls.gov/newsrels.htm
Technical information:  (202) 606-6567   USDL 98-443

                                         For release:  10:00 A.M. EST
Media contact:                606-5902   Thursday, November 12, 1998


        Employment and Average Annual Pay For Large Counties, 1996


  Of the 290 largest counties in the United States, 132 had rates of
employment growth in 1996 above the national average of 2.1 percent, 131
had equal or lower rates of growth, and 27 had declines in employment,
according to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S.
Department of Labor.  The western states dominated the fastest-growing
counties, while the counties with the largest declines were all in the
eastern United States.
  
  Employment and annual pay data by county are compiled from reports
submitted by employers subject to state and federal unemployment insurance
(UI) laws, covering 118.0 million full- and part-time workers.  Average
annual pay is computed by dividing total annual payrolls of employees
covered by UI programs by the average monthly number of these employees.
(See Technical Note beginning on page 3.)  The attached tables and charts
contain data for the nation and for the 290 counties with employment of
75,000 or more.  (Some areas in this release are not officially designated
as counties.  See technical note.)
   
Employment
   
  The 290 counties with 75,000 or more employees represented 69.1 percent
of total covered employment and wages.  Clark County, Nev., had the largest
percent increase in employment (9.1 percent), followed by the counties of
Placer, Calif. (8.6 percent), Maricopa, Ariz., and Washington, Ore. (both
8.4 percent), and Collin, Tex. (7.0 percent).  (See table 1 and chart 1.)
(The increase in employment in Maricopa County, Ariz., was partially
attributed to reporting changes in state government rather than actual
employment increases.  Excluding these changes, employment still grew by
7.2 percent.)  The largest absolute gains in employment were recorded in
the counties of Maricopa, Ariz. (100,210), Dallas, Tex. (57,015), Los
Angeles, Calif. (55,680), Santa Clara, Calif. (48,848), and Clark, Nev.
(45,666).
  
  Employment declined in 27 counties.  The largest percent decline in
employment was in the District of Columbia (-2.7 percent), followed by the
counties of Gaston, N.C (-2.0 percent), Albany, N.Y. (-1.9 percent),
Passaic, N.J. (-1.7 percent), and Mercer, N.J. (-1.7 percent).  The largest
absolute declines in employment occurred in the District of Columbia 
(-16,708), Albany County, N.Y. (-4,239), Orleans County, La. (-3,731), St.
Louis City, Mo. (-3,620), and Mercer County, N.J. (-3,365).  (See table 2
and chart 2.)
   
Average Annual Pay
   
  Average annual pay was higher than the national average in 115 of the
largest 290 counties.  New York County, N.Y., had the highest level of
average annual pay at $55,312, followed by the counties of Fairfield, Conn.
($45,607), Santa Clara, Calif. ($44,824), the District of Columbia
($44,458), and Morris, N.J.  ($42,763).  There were 175 counties with

                                  - 2 -

average annual pay below the national average.  The lowest level of average
annual pay was reported in Horry County, S.C. ($18,551), followed by the
counties of Hidalgo, Tex. ($18,928), Cameron, Tex. ($19,056), Tulare,
Calif. ($19,768), and Yakima, Wash. ($19,780).  (See table 2.)
  
  Boulder County, Colo., led the growth in average annual pay with an
increase of 8.9 percent.  New York County, N.Y., was second at 7.7 percent,
followed by the counties of Travis, Tex. (7.1 percent), Arapahoe, Colo.
(7.0 percent), and Westchester, N.Y. (6.8 percent).  Sacramento County,
Calif., had the slowest rate of positive growth (0.8 percent), and average
annual pay was unchanged over the year in Ada County, Idaho.  In contrast,
declines in average annual pay occurred in the counties of Kern, Calif.
(-1.4 percent), Anchorage, Alaska (-0.4 percent), and Genesee, Mich.
(-0.3 percent).
Technical Note
   
   
   
  These data are the product of a federal-state cooperative program known
as Covered Employment and Wages, or the ES-202 program.  The data are
derived from summaries of employment and total pay of workers covered by
unemployment insurance (UI) legislation and provided by State Employment
Security Agencies (SESAs).  The summaries are a by-product of the
administration of state unemployment insurance programs that require most
employers to pay quarterly taxes based on the employment and wages of
workers covered by UI.  News releases providing 1996 average annual pay
data by state and industry and metropolitan areas were issued on
Sept. 11, 1997 (USDL 97-315), and Oct. 30, 1997 (USDL 97-379), respectively.
   
Coverage
  
  Employment and wage data for workers covered by state UI laws and for
federal civilian workers covered by the Unemployment Compensation for
Federal Employees (UCFE) program are compiled from quarterly contribution
reports submitted to the SESAs by employers.  In addition to the quarterly
contribution report, employers who operate multiple establishments within a
state complete a questionnaire, called the "Multiple Worksite Report,"
which provides detailed information on the location and industry of each of
their establishments.  Average annual employment and pay data included in
this release are derived from summaries of employment and wages submitted
by states to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and are based on place of
employment rather than residence.
  
  UI and UCFE coverage is broad and basically comparable from state to
state.  In 1996, UI and UCFE programs covered workers in 118.0 million
jobs.  The estimated 112.9 million workers in these jobs (because they
include multiple jobholders) represented 97.3 percent of wage and salary
civilian employment.  Covered workers received $3.415 trillion in pay, 
representing 94.0 percent of the wage and salary component of personal
income and 44.7 percent of the gross domestic product.
  
  Major exclusions from UI coverage during 1996 included most agricultural
workers on small farms, all members of the Armed Forces, elected officials
in most states, most employees of railroads, some domestic workers, most
student workers at schools, and employees of certain small nonprofit
organizations.
   
Concepts and methodology
  
  Average annual pay was computed by dividing total annual pay of
employees covered by UI programs by the average monthly number of these
employees. Included in the annual payroll data are bonuses; the cash value
of meals and lodging when supplied; tips and other gratuities; in some
states, employer contributions to certain deferred compensation plans, such
as 401(k) plans; and stock options.  Monthly employment is based on the
number of workers who worked during or received pay for the pay period
including the 12th day of the month.  With few exceptions, all employees of
covered firms are reported, including production and sales workers,
corporation officials, executives, supervisory personnel, and clerical
workers.  Workers on paid vacation and part-time workers also are included.
Percent changes in average annual pay were computed using final 1995 data
as the base, which may differ from the preliminary data issued in 1996.
  
  Average annual pay is affected by the ratio of full-time to part-time
workers as well as the number of individuals in high-paying and low-paying
occupations.  When comparing average annual pay levels between counties,
these factors should be taken into consideration.  Annual pay data only
approximate annual earnings because an individual may not be employed by
the same employer all year or may work for more than one employer.  Also,
year-to-year changes in average annual pay can result from a change in the
proportion of employment in high- and low-wage jobs, as well as from
changes in the level of average annual pay.
  
  In order to insure the highest possible quality of data, SESAs verify
with employers and update, if necessary, the industry, location, and
ownership classification of all establishments on a 3-year cycle.  Changes
in establishment classification codes resulting from the verification
process are introduced with the data reported for the first quarter of the
year.  Changes resulting from improved employer reporting also are
introduced in the first quarter.  For these reasons, some data, especially
at more detailed geographic levels, may not be strictly comparable with
earlier years.

  The 1995 data have been adjusted for code changes in order to be
comparable with 1996 data.  Due to extensive code changes, Manatee County,
Fla. was not included in the rankings.
  
  County definitions are assigned according to Federal Information
Processing Standards Publications (FIPS PUBS) as issued by the National
Institute of Standards and Technology after approval by the Secretary of
Commerce pursuant to Section 5131 of the Information Technology Management
Reform Act of 1996 and the Computer Security Act of 1987, Public Law 104-
106.  Data shown as counties include areas designated as independent cities
in some jurisdictions and in Alaska those designated as census areas where
counties have not been created.  County data also are presented for the New
England states and New Jersey for comparative purposes even though
townships are the more common designation used in those states.
   
Additional statistics and other information
  
  Average annual employment and pay data by state and county are available
upon request from the Division of Occupational and Administrative
Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor,
Washington, DC 20212, telephone 202-606-6567 (e-mail: 202-info@bls.gov).
The comprehensive bulletin, Employment and Wages, features information by
detailed industry on establishments, employment, and wages for the nation
and all states.  The bulletin for 1996, which was issued in November 1997,
is available for sale from the BLS Publication Sales Center, P.O. Box 2145,
Chicago, Illinois 60690.
  
  Information in this release will be made available to sensory
impaired individuals upon request.  Voice phone:  202-606-STAT;
TDD phone: 202-606-5897; TDD message referral phone number: 1-800-326-2577.
    Table 1.  Employment and average annual pay for 1996 and 1995-96 percent changes for all covered
    workers 1/ in the 290 largest counties

                                                  Employment                              Average annual pay

    County 2/                       1996          Percent change,   Ranked by               1996     Percent change,
                                                  1995-96 3/        percent change,                  1995-96 3/
                                                                    1995-96                           
                                                                    
    United States                117,963,132         2.1              -                   $28,945        3.9
    Jefferson, Ala                   368,166         1.5            170                    29,219        4.5
    Madison, Ala                     142,246         2.8             94                    31,069        2.0
    Mobile, Ala                      165,413         1.8            150                    25,517        4.0
    Montgomery, Ala                  126,463         1.8            151                    25,074        3.1
    Anchorage, Alaska.               119,068         0.8            226                    33,501       -0.4
    Maricopa, Ariz.                1,288,322         8.4              4                    27,859        3.7
    Pima, Ariz.                      289,520        -0.5            271                    24,705        4.6
    Pulaski, Ariz.                   233,590         2.2            132                    26,400        3.5
    Alameda, Calif.                  620,756         2.6            103                    34,470        3.6
    Contra Costa, Calif.             296,920         1.5            165                    34,339        4.1
    Fresno, Calif.                   307,775         2.1            136                    21,936        1.8
    Kern, Calif.                     224,739         3.4             60                    24,315       -1.4
    Los Angeles, Calif.            3,818,890         1.5            174                    33,476        3.2
    Marin, Calif.                    101,732         1.5            169                    33,396        5.9
    Monterey, Calif.                 146,843         4.4             30                    24,852        2.4
    Orange, Calif.                 1,183,965         2.2            131                    32,179        4.1
    Placer, Calif.                    81,494         8.6              3                    25,947        2.5
    Riverside, Calif.                370,671         2.8             92                    24,411        2.5
    Sacramento, Calif.               506,000         2.8             91                    30,648        0.8
    San Bernardino, Calif.           447,552         2.9             82                    26,001        1.3
    San Diego, Calif.              1,016,278         3.2             67                    28,845        3.6
    San Francisco, Calif.            543,998         3.8             47                    41,512        4.6
    San Joaquin, Calif.              177,886         2.3            125                    24,763        1.6
    San Luis Obispo, Calif.           80,861         3.7             48                    23,970        4.1
    San Mateo, Calif.                316,268         4.2             32                    39,570        6.5
    Santa Barbara, Calif.            162,293         3.9             37                    26,251        1.7
    Santa Clara, Calif.              886,405         5.8             12                    44,824        5.7
    Santa Cruz, Calif.                97,002         2.9             79                    26,098        4.2
    Solano, Calif.                   100,555         0.4            243                    25,704        1.1
    Sonoma, Calif.                   162,626         5.4             17                    26,938        2.9
    Stanislaus, Calif.               140,691         3.9             40                    23,738        1.5
    Tulare, Calif.                   121,744         2.6            104                    19,768        1.7
    Ventura, Calif.                  257,425         1.9            149                    28,289        3.8
    Yolo, Calif.                      76,448         0.3            251                    29,067        1.6
    Adams, Colo.                     120,928         2.4            116                    27,187        4.1
    Arapahoe, Colo.                  236,181         6.3             10                    33,317        7.0
    Boulder, Colo.                   146,175         0.6            238                    30,968        8.9
    Denver, Colo.                    418,298         1.4            187                    33,038        5.2
    El Paso, Colo.                   203,576         5.0             22                    25,771        5.2
    Jefferson, Colo.                 190,400         1.5            167                    30,342        4.1
    Larimer, Colo.                   101,790         6.4              9                    26,166        4.7
    Fairfield, Conn                  402,550         1.6            159                    45,607        5.9
    Hartford, Conn                   478,883         0.7            227                    35,621        2.5
    New Haven, Conn                  347,403         1.4            189                    32,415        4.0
    New London, Conn                 116,924         1.1            210                    32,003        3.6
    New Castle, Del                  256,442         2.4            113                    33,751        5.8
    District of Columbia, D.C.       609,769        -2.7            290                    44,458        4.7
    Alachua, Fla.                    109,023         1.5            164                    22,348        2.4
    Brevard, Fla.                    165,919         0.3            250                    27,370        1.9
    Broward, Fla.                    592,510         3.9             41                    27,546        3.2

    Collier, Fla.                     84,481         3.6             52                   $23,728        4.3
    Dade, Fla.                       924,169         1.4            179                    28,382        3.4
    Duval, Fla.                      395,093         2.2            130                    27,306        4.7
    Escambia, Fla.                   118,087         2.7             98                    23,745        3.4
    Hillsborough, Fla.               514,296         3.8             46                    26,244        3.5
    Lee, Fla.                        146,303         1.3            196                    23,246        4.6
    Leon, Fla.                       130,398         2.5            110                    24,776        5.1
    Manatee, Fla.                     99,892          4/             4/                    20,955         4/
    Orange, Fla.                     515,473         4.9             23                    26,142        2.9
    Palm Beach, Fla.                 419,522         3.4             58                    29,057        4.1
    Pinellas, Fla.                   385,294         2.9             83                    25,717        4.0
    Polk, Fla.                       169,663         1.6            160                    24,106        3.7
    Sarasota, Fla.                   124,306         3.2             65                    23,851        2.6
    Seminole, Fla.                   113,766         5.0             21                    25,114        4.1
    Volusia, Fla.                    136,105         0.5            239                    21,147        3.0
    Bibb, Ga                          86,789         2.4            112                    25,692        2.8
    Chatham, Ga                      116,255         1.9            148                    25,459        5.2
    Clayton, Ga                      104,490         1.9            147                    30,475        5.5
    Cobb, Ga                         257,523         5.1             19                    30,603        4.7
    Dekalb, Ga                       303,348         3.1             72                    31,795        4.5
    Fulton, Ga                       684,771         5.0             20                    35,303        4.9
    Gwinnett, Ga                     221,666         6.9              7                    30,541        4.7
    Muscogee, Ga                      88,902         4.7             25                    23,137        2.5
    Richmond, Ga                     101,675         0.9            219                    24,636        2.6
    Honolulu, Hawaii                 402,681        -0.8            277                    28,336        1.4
    Ada, Idaho                       144,979         3.7             50                    27,651       -0.0
    Champaign, Ill.                   81,952         1.2            203                    24,982        2.6
    Cook, Ill.                     2,602,413         1.2            200                    34,672        4.1
    Du Page, Ill.                    521,403         2.5            108                    34,497        6.0
    Kane, Ill.                       155,700         1.7            155                    28,486        5.7
    Lake, Ill.                       264,990         2.8             93                    34,563        3.9
    McHenry, Ill.                     77,216         2.1            138                    26,637        4.1
    Madison, Ill.                     92,476        -0.0            262                    25,651        1.4
    Peoria, Ill.                     100,547         0.7            229                    26,326        2.1
    Rock Island, Ill.                 75,519         0.9            218                    29,215        2.8
    St. Clair, Ill.                   85,212         1.1            208                    23,626        2.7
    Sangamon, Ill.                   138,139         0.8            225                    29,867        3.8
    Will, Ill.                       117,499         2.2            129                    28,361        2.1
    Winnebago, Ill.                  139,925         1.5            177                    27,777        3.4
    Allen, Ind                       180,257         0.4            246                    27,845        3.6
    Elkhart, Ind.                    112,031        -1.6            284                    26,333        4.7
    Lake, Ind.                       196,030         2.0            144                    28,339        3.5
    Marion, Ind                      560,150         1.4            180                    30,391        3.9
    St. Joseph, Ind                  124,113        -0.0            263                    25,661        2.2
    Vanderburgh, Ind                 105,088         1.4            186                    24,838        4.9
    Linn, Iowa                       107,825         2.4            115                    27,523        3.6
    Polk, Iowa                       245,184         1.4            181                    27,996        4.4
    Scott, Iowa                       81,985         4.0             35                    25,307        2.7
    Johnson, Kan                     235,359         4.4             31                    28,978        3.9
    Sedgwick, Kan                    231,049         3.7             49                    28,527        5.2

    Shawnee, Kan                      95,800         1.4            184                   $25,454        2.2
    Wyandotte, Kan                    77,615        -0.3            268                    30,192        5.6
    Fayette, Ky                      158,389         3.0             78                    25,935        4.5
    Jefferson, Ky                    408,338         1.2            204                    27,777        4.3
    Caddo, La                        116,216         1.6            161                    25,220        1.3
    Calcasieu, La                     79,107         4.5             29                    26,059        2.6
    East Baton Rouge, La             223,934         2.4            117                    25,986        3.1
    Jefferson, La                    205,226         3.0             75                    24,107        2.9
    Lafayette, La                    102,689         5.4             16                    26,257        5.6
    Orleans, La                      262,373        -1.4            283                    27,800        1.8
    Cumberland, Maine                148,303         2.0            140                    26,379        4.0
    Anne Arundel, Md                 168,154         0.7            233                    29,182        3.7
    Baltimore, Md                    331,636         1.4            183                    29,373        3.8
    Howard, Md                       100,703         3.0             74                    31,355        3.5
    Montgomery, Md                   388,670         1.5            176                    35,990        3.7
    Prince George's, Md              282,629         1.1            209                    30,828        3.8
    Baltimore City, Md               381,699        -0.5            273                    32,259        5.3
    Barnstable, Mass.                 77,139         2.8             89                    24,154        4.6
    Bristol, Mass.                   203,988         0.5            242                    26,007        3.8
    Essex, Mass.                     281,438         2.8             88                    30,664        2.8
    Hampden, Mass.                   187,840         0.9            221                    27,676        3.4
    Middlesex, Mass.                 754,037         2.4            118                    37,662        5.2
    Norfolk, Mass.                   297,156         2.3            121                    33,938        5.0
    Plymouth, Mass.                  151,831         1.3            195                    28,050        4.1
    Suffolk, Mass.                   558,470         2.4            119                    42,205        5.4
    Worcester, Mass.                 293,852         1.2            202                    30,026        6.5
    Genesee, Mich.                   177,756         1.0            215                    33,294       -0.3
    Ingham, Mich.                    178,745         1.4            178                    30,083        4.0
    Kalamazoo, Mich.                 119,313         0.3            253                    29,517        5.4
    Kent, Mich.                      315,790         2.3            128                    29,230        4.1
    Macomb, Mich.                    327,687         0.6            237                    34,927        1.5
    Oakland, Mich.                   689,052         3.8             45                    36,997        5.3
    Ottawa, Mich.                    105,836         2.6            102                    27,877        6.3
    Saginaw, Mich.                    94,041         1.5            173                    30,545        3.2
    Washtenaw, Mich.                 178,621         1.3            194                    32,582        3.2
    Wayne, Mich.                     846,414         0.8            223                    36,169        1.8
    Anoka, Minn                       94,401         2.3            122                    28,056        5.0
    Dakota, Minn                     132,493         3.4             57                    28,530        6.5
    Hennepin, Minn                   806,460         2.1            137                    34,404        6.4
    Ramsey, Minn                     311,775         0.7            228                    32,513        5.3
    St. Louis, Minn                   89,035         2.0            143                    24,667        4.4
    Harrison, Miss                    79,199         3.0             76                    21,606        4.9
    Hinds, Miss                      140,678         2.3            120                    25,981        3.3
    Clay, Mo                          78,123         2.6            100                    27,132        5.0
    Greene, Mo                       130,154         1.8            152                    23,461        3.5
    Jackson, Mo                      376,619         1.5            168                    30,007        3.9
    St. Charles, Mo                   83,357         4.5             27                    25,510        4.8
    St. Louis, Mo                    601,862         2.6            106                    31,508        3.0
    St. Louis City, Mo               262,491        -1.4            282                    32,740        3.7
    Douglas, Neb.                    301,320         2.5            109                    26,817        4.3

    Lancaster, Neb                   132,939         2.7             97                   $24,018        3.1
    Clark, Nev                       548,276         9.1              2                    27,708        4.2
    Washoe, Nev                      169,684         4.1             33                    27,679        4.4
    Hillsborough, N.H                173,703         2.9             81                    30,880        4.4
    Rockingham, N.H                  110,245         3.7             51                    27,550        1.8
    Atlantic, N.J                    135,446         0.6            236                    28,727        3.7
    Bergen, N.J                      425,488         2.0            139                    38,324        3.5
    Burlington, N.J                  161,143         2.3            123                    31,811        4.5
    Camden, N.J                      194,600        -0.2            267                    30,873        3.6
    Essex, N.J                       350,701        -0.9            279                    38,403        3.8
    Gloucester, N.J                   79,605         0.7            232                    28,101        3.8
    Hudson, N.J                      224,802        -0.9            278                    36,833        6.4
    Mercer, N.J                      194,166        -1.7            286                    37,598        2.7
    Middlesex, N.J                   365,480         1.8            154                    38,507        4.5
    Monmouth, N.J                    214,275         1.5            175                    32,183        2.8
    Morris, N.J                      244,735         1.5            172                    42,763        6.3
    Ocean, N.J                       121,759         1.3            198                    25,939        3.6
    Passaic, N.J                     173,189        -1.7            287                    33,194        1.5
    Somerset, N.J                    153,670         2.6             99                    42,755        3.9
    Union, N.J                       223,652         0.2            255                    38,072        3.2
    Bernalillo, N.M                  290,369         2.0            141                    25,829        2.9
    Albany, N.Y.                     221,531        -1.9            288                    30,010        4.6
    Bronx, N.Y.                      204,496        -0.6            274                    29,590        1.4
    Broome, N.Y.                      94,024        -1.7            285                    26,447        3.7
    Dutchess, N.Y.                   101,539         1.5            171                    30,546        2.8
    Erie, N.Y.                       443,176        -0.0            261                    27,622        3.3
    Kings, N.Y.                      411,148        -0.6            275                    27,820        1.7
    Monroe, N.Y.                     389,140         0.4            247                    32,352        3.8
    Nassau, N.Y.                     563,334         0.7            231                    33,695        3.8
    New York, N.Y.                 2,141,730         2.0            142                    55,312        7.7
    Niagara, N.Y.                     80,096        -0.9            281                    27,522        2.5
    Oneida, N.Y.                     103,819        -0.9            280                    24,085        2.0
    Onondaga, N.Y.                   244,052         0.7            235                    28,388        1.5
    Orange, N.Y.                     108,869         0.9            220                    26,028        2.3
    Queens, N.Y.                     446,612         1.0            216                    30,639        2.1
    Richmond, N.Y.                    78,358         3.2             70                    27,624        3.5
    Rockland, N.Y.                    96,364         0.3            249                    32,866        2.7
    Suffolk, N.Y.                    511,361         0.5            241                    31,988        4.1
    Westchester, N.Y.                374,342         0.5            240                    38,239        6.8
    Buncombe, N.C.                    98,700         2.9             85                    23,881        3.5
    Catawba, N.C.                     92,139         1.1            206                    23,757        3.9
    Cumberland, N.C.                  99,020         2.4            114                    22,508        4.4
    Durham, N.C.                     148,245         3.3             62                    35,284        4.1
    Forsyth, N.C.                    168,835         3.0             77                    28,516        2.9
    Gaston, N.C.                      80,964        -2.0            289                    23,877        2.1
    Guilford, N.C.                   260,150         2.3            126                    27,551        4.3
    Mecklenburg, N.C.                432,218         4.6             26                    32,556        5.6
    New Hanover, N.C.                 75,687         5.5             15                    24,191        3.8
    Wake, N.C.                       318,605         4.9             24                    27,792        4.7
    Butler, Ohio                     106,056         0.7            234                    27,629        3.9

    Cuyahoga, Ohio.                  784,652         1.2            205                   $30,970        3.4
    Franklin, Ohio.                  638,319         2.3            124                    28,592        3.8
    Hamilton, Ohio.                  553,076         1.6            162                    31,032        3.6
    Lake, Ohio.                       95,759         1.1            207                    27,236        4.3
    Lorain, Ohio.                    101,695         0.3            252                    28,226        2.9
    Lucas, Ohio.                     231,488         1.0            213                    28,567        3.5
    Mahoning, Ohio.                  106,385         0.2            256                    23,298        3.2
    Montgomery, Ohio.                312,198         0.1            258                    30,280        3.4
    Stark, Ohio.                     166,131         1.6            163                    25,286        1.8
    Summit, Ohio.                    256,676         1.0            217                    28,716        3.7
    Trumbull, Ohio.                   97,073        -0.0            260                    30,392        1.4
    Oklahoma, Okla.                  377,670         3.0             73                    25,250        2.6
    Tulsa, Okla.                     303,412         3.9             38                    26,746        3.1
    Clackamas, Ore.                  115,170         3.8             42                    27,206        5.8
    Lane, Ore.                       128,436         2.8             90                    24,152        4.1
    Marion, Ore.                     119,816         2.3            127                    24,054        2.7
    Multnomah, Ore.                  426,380         3.4             61                    30,614        5.7
    Washington, Ore.                 189,387         8.4              5                    32,770        5.3
    Allegheny, Pa.                   675,697         0.7            230                    31,079        3.7
    Berks, Pa.                       157,960         1.2            199                    28,206        2.8
    Bucks, Pa.                       218,535         1.3            197                    29,271        4.8
    Chester, Pa.                     181,695         3.5             55                    34,978        3.7
    Cumberland, Pa.                  121,872         3.8             44                    27,522        2.9
    Dauphin, Pa.                     163,061         1.4            188                    29,348        3.9
    Delaware, Pa.                    205,416         1.3            192                    31,354        3.1
    Erie, Pa.                        122,834         0.4            244                    25,941        2.9
    Lackawanna, Pa.                   95,482        -0.1            265                    23,722        3.2
    Lancaster, Pa.                   199,750         1.3            193                    26,467        3.4
    Lehigh, Pa.                      152,676         1.5            166                    30,558        4.4
    Luzerne, Pa.                     133,901         0.1            257                    24,412        3.5
    Montgomery, Pa.                  433,574         3.2             68                    34,922        4.8
    Northampton, Pa.                  81,260        -0.7            276                    27,035        1.4
    Philadelphia, Pa.                648,755        -0.1            264                    34,579        4.7
    Westmoreland, Pa.                126,688         1.4            185                    24,722        3.2
    York, Pa.                        157,986         0.8            222                    26,955        3.4
    Providence, R.I.                 274,573         0.2            254                    28,414        3.2
    Charleston, S.C.                 160,690         1.0            212                    23,127        2.9
    Greenville, S.C.                 208,316         3.2             66                    26,701        3.3
    Horry, S.C.                       84,257         5.5             14                    18,551        3.6
    Richland, S.C.                   191,318         2.6            101                    25,001        3.3
    Spartanburg, S.C.                116,070         0.8            224                    25,950        3.3
    Minnehaha, S.D.                   90,946         3.2             69                    23,769        3.5
    Davidson, Tenn.                  401,534         1.9            146                    29,123        3.4
    Hamilton, Tenn.                  172,833         1.9            145                    26,581        2.4
    Knox, Tenn.                      187,813         1.4            190                    25,552        3.2
    Shelby, Tenn.                    461,459         1.3            191                    28,786        3.9
    Bell, Tex.                        79,537         2.7             96                    22,755        4.1
    Bexar, Tex.                      579,009         2.6            105                    24,755        3.2
    Cameron, Tex.                     93,797         1.7            156                    19,056        2.6
    Collin, Tex.                     123,797         7.0              6                    33,441        6.2

    Dallas, Tex.                   1,331,830         4.5             28                   $34,277        4.7
    Denton, Tex.                      91,930         5.5             13                    24,532        6.3
    El Paso, Tex.                    232,418        -0.4            269                    21,834        4.1
    Galveston, Tex.                   87,055         1.4            182                    27,370        3.8
    Harris, Tex.                   1,609,940         2.8             87                    33,466        4.8
    Hidalgo, Tex.                    134,290         2.1            134                    18,928        5.0
    Jefferson, Tex.                  113,088        -0.5            272                    27,756        1.2
    Lubbock, Tex.                    106,692         0.1            259                    22,721        5.5
    Mc Lennan, Tex.                   89,298         1.2            201                    23,302        3.4
    Nueces, Tex.                     134,439         2.5            107                    25,048        3.8
    Tarrant, Tex.                    607,969         3.4             59                    29,155        3.9
    Travis, Tex.                     443,979         3.5             56                    30,286        7.1
    Salt Lake, Utah                  472,182         5.2             18                    26,593        4.5
    Utah, Utah                       119,880         6.1             11                    23,480        2.8
    Weber, Utah                       81,266         6.8              8                    22,829        5.0
    Chittenden, Vt                    85,223         3.1             71                    28,564        4.8
    Arlington, Va                    157,213         2.1            135                    40,899        5.5
    Chesterfield, Va                  95,767         3.8             43                    26,864        2.9
    Fairfax, Va                      433,982         3.6             53                    37,928        6.2
    Henrico, Va                      140,464         3.3             63                    28,842        4.8
    Alexandria, Va                    82,993         2.1            133                    35,304        2.9
    Newport News, Va                  87,899         2.9             84                    26,208        1.7
    Norfolk, Va                      144,673         1.0            211                    27,191        3.0
    Richmond, Va                     169,390        -0.4            270                    32,290        4.3
    Virginia Beach, Va               142,387         3.9             39                    21,567        3.4
    Clark, Wash.                     100,378         4.0             34                    26,994        5.9
    King, Wash.                      990,665         3.9             36                    34,356        6.7
    Pierce, Wash.                    214,045         1.7            157                    25,548        3.5
    Snohomish, Wash.                 188,697         3.3             64                    30,474        5.3
    Spokane, Wash.                   173,400         1.6            158                    24,536        4.0
    Thurston, Wash.                   76,613         2.9             80                    26,575        1.9
    Yakima, Wash.                     90,464        -0.2            266                    19,780        2.6
    Kanawha, W.Va.                   107,849         1.8            153                    26,890        3.5
    Brown, Wis.                      127,204         2.7             95                    27,118        3.1
    Dane, Wis.                       250,220         2.4            111                    27,191        3.1
    Milwaukee, Wis.                  518,063         0.4            245                    29,284        4.2
    Outagamie, Wis.                   89,178         3.5             54                    26,466        3.1
    Racine, Wis.                      78,873         0.4            248                    27,973        4.1
    Waukesha, Wis.                   198,635         2.8             86                    29,777        4.1
    Winnebago, Wis.                   82,021         1.0            214                    28,456        4.0

    1/  Includes workers covered by Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Unemployment Compensation for Federal
    Employees (UCFE) programs.  The 290 counties comprise 69.1 percent of total covered employment and
    wages.
    2/  Includes areas not officially designated as counties.  See technical note.
    3/  Percent changes were computed from annual employment and pay data adjusted for noneconomic county
    reclassifications.  See technical note.
    4/  Data for this county are not comparable from year to year due to a large number of county
    reclassifications.



    Table 2.  County rankings of employment and average annual pay for 1996 and 1995-96 percent changes
    for all covered workers 1/ in the 290 largest counties

                                              Employment                             Average annual pay

                                         1996    Net change,                 1996        Ranked by      Ranked by
                                                 1995-96 3/                              1996 level     percent change,
                                                                                                        1995-96 

    Los Angeles, Calif.             3,818,890         55,680              $33,476         43            198
    Cook, Ill.                      2,602,413         31,119               34,672         30            108
    New York, N.Y.                  2,141,730         41,999               55,312          1              2
    Harris, Tex.                    1,609,940         44,353               33,466         44             56
    Dallas, Tex.                    1,331,830         57,015               34,277         38             62
    Maricopa, Ariz.                 1,288,322        100,210               27,859        144            147
    Orange, Calif.                  1,183,965         25,165               32,179         62             98
    San Diego, Calif.               1,016,278         31,481               28,845        116            155
    King, Wash.                       990,665         37,352               34,356         36              6
    Dade, Fla.                        924,169         13,129               28,382        131            180
    Santa Clara, Calif.               886,405         48,848               44,824          3             23
    Wayne, Mich.                      846,414          7,002               36,169         21            265
    Hennepin, Minn.                   806,460         16,443               34,404         35             10
    Cuyahoga, Ohio                    784,652          8,950               30,970         73            178
    Middlesex, Mass.                  754,037         17,404               37,662         17             40
    Oakland, Mich.                    689,052         25,242               36,997         19             37
    Fulton, Ga                        684,771         32,917               35,303         25             50
    Allegheny, Pa.                    675,697          4,798               31,079         70            143
    Philadelphia, Pa.                 648,755           (422)              34,579         31             67
    Franklin, Ohio                    638,319         14,270               28,592        121            136
    Alameda, Calif.                   620,756         15,691               34,470         34            154
    District of Columbia, D.C.        609,769        (16,708)              44,458          4             61
    Tarrant, Tex.                     607,969         19,861               29,155        111            123
    St. Louis, Mo                     601,862         15,144               31,508         67            211
    Broward, Fla.                     592,510         21,984               27,546        161            194
    Bexar, Tex.                       579,009         14,617               24,755        239            197
    Nassau, N.Y.                      563,334          3,951               33,695         41            132
    Marion, Ind.                      560,150          7,926               30,391         90            122
    Suffolk, Mass.                    558,470         12,866               42,205          7             33
    Hamilton, Ohio                    553,076          8,602               31,032         72            152
    Clark, Nev.                       548,276         45,666               27,708        152             92
    San Francisco, Calif.             543,998         19,739               41,512          8             68
    Du Page, Ill.                     521,403         12,855               34,497         33             17
    Milwaukee, Wis.                   518,063          2,202               29,284        105             93
    Orange, Fla.                      515,473         24,137               26,142        200            213
    Hillsborough, Fla.                514,296         18,707               26,244        197            168
    Suffolk, N.Y.                     511,361          2,543               31,988         64            104
    Sacramento, Calif.                506,000         13,746               30,648         79            285
    Hartford, Conn                    478,883          3,512               35,621         23            244
    Salt Lake, Utah.                  472,182         23,378               26,593        185             77
    Shelby, Tenn.                     461,459          6,073               28,786        118            126
    San Bernardino, Calif.            447,552         12,650               26,001        205            281
    Queens, N.Y.                      446,612          4,382               30,639         80            255
    Travis, Tex.                      443,979         15,004               30,286         92              3
    Erie, N.Y.                        443,176           (104)              27,622        158            186
    Fairfax, Va                       433,982         15,067               37,928         16             15
    Montgomery, Pa.                   433,574         13,411               34,922         29             55
    Mecklenburg, N.C.                 432,218         19,020               32,556         55             26
    Multnomah, Ore                    426,380         13,826               30,614         81             25
    Bergen, N.J.                      425,488          8,478               38,324         13            164

    Palm Beach, Fla.                  419,522         13,866              $29,057        114            102
    Denver, Colo                      418,298          5,630               33,038         50             41
    Kings, N.Y.                       411,148         (2,479)              27,820        146            267
    Jefferson, Ky                     408,338          4,763               27,777        150             89
    Honolulu, Hawaii                  402,681         (3,153)              28,336        134            277
    Fairfield, Conn                   402,550          6,423               45,607          2             18
    Davidson, Tenn.                   401,534          7,631               29,123        112            182
    Duval, Fla.                       395,093          8,489               27,306        167             66
    Monroe, N.Y.                      389,140          1,462               32,352         58            141
    Montgomery, Md                    388,670          5,611               35,990         22            146
    Pinellas, Fla.                    385,294         10,886               25,717        215            113
    Baltimore City, Md                381,699         (1,950)              32,259         60             38
    Oklahoma, Okla                    377,670         11,079               25,250        228            240
    Jackson, Mo                       376,619          5,635               30,007         98            121
    Westchester, N.Y.                 374,342          1,908               38,239         14              5
    Riverside, Calif.                 370,671         10,069               24,411        247            242
    Jefferson, Ala                    368,166          5,459               29,219        108             76
    Middlesex, N.J.                   365,480          6,371               38,507         11             78
    Essex, N.J.                       350,701         (3,161)              38,403         12            133
    New Haven, Conn                   347,403          4,645               32,415         57            115
    Baltimore, Md                     331,636          4,539               29,373        103            129
    Macomb, Mich.                     327,687          2,032               34,927         28            274
    Wake, N.C.                        318,605         14,916               27,792        148             63
    San Mateo, Calif.                 316,268         12,828               39,570         10              7
    Kent, Mich.                       315,790          6,969               29,230        107            109
    Montgomery, Ohio                  312,198            268               30,280         93            174
    Ramsey, Minn.                     311,775          2,286               32,513         56             35
    Fresno, Calif.                    307,775          6,331               21,936        280            262
    Tulsa, Okla                       303,412         11,371               26,746        182            203
    Dekalb, Ga                        303,348          8,989               31,795         66             75
    Douglas, Neb.                     301,320          7,222               26,817        181             85
    Norfolk, Mass.                    297,156          6,809               33,938         39             47
    Contra Costa, Calif.              296,920          4,476               34,339         37            107
    Worcester, Mass.                  293,852          3,480               30,026         96              9
    Bernalillo, N.M.                  290,369          5,759               25,829        213            222
    Pima, Ariz.                       289,520         (1,402)              24,705        241             70
    Prince George's, Md               282,629          2,954               30,828         77            135
    Essex, Mass.                      281,438          7,720               30,664         78            223
    Providence, R.I.                  274,573            548               28,414        129            195
    Lake, Ill.                        264,990          7,118               34,563         32            125
    St. Louis City, Mo                262,491         (3,620)              32,740         53            148
    Orleans, La                       262,373         (3,731)              27,800        147            263
    Guilford, N.C.                    260,150          5,776               27,551        159             90
    Cobb, Ga                          257,523         12,389               30,603         82             60
    Ventura, Calif.                   257,425          4,729               28,289        135            140
    Summit, Ohio                      256,676          2,416               28,716        120            149
    New Castle, Del                   256,442          6,049               33,751         40             21
    Dane, Wis.                        250,220          5,956               27,191        171            202
    Polk, Iowa                        245,184          3,446               27,996        141             81
    Morris, N.J.                      244,735          3,625               42,763          5             12

    Onondaga, N.Y.                    244,052          1,615              $28,388        130            273
    Arapahoe, Colo                    236,181         13,895               33,317         47              4
    Johnson, Kan.                     235,359          9,879               28,978        115            120
    Pulaski, Ark.                     233,590          4,930               26,400        191            166
    El Paso, Tex.                     232,418           (836)              21,834        281            100
    Lucas, Ohio                       231,488          2,400               28,567        122            169
    Sedgwick, Kan.                    231,049          8,319               28,527        125             43
    Hudson, N.J.                      224,802         (1,991)              36,833         20             11
    Kern, Calif.                      224,739          7,296               24,315        248            290
    East Baton Rouge, La              223,934          5,175               25,986        206            204
    Union, N.J.                       223,652            377               38,072         15            190
    Gwinnett, Ga                      221,666         14,328               30,541         86             65
    Albany, N.Y.                      221,531         (4,239)              30,010         97             69
    Bucks, Pa.                        218,535          2,761               29,271        106             58
    Monmouth, N.J.                    214,275          3,117               32,183         61            224
    Pierce, Wash.                     214,045          3,610               25,548        221            167
    Greenville, S.C.                  208,316          6,488               26,701        183            185
    Delaware, Pa.                     205,416          2,624               31,354         69            207
    Jefferson, La                     205,226          5,990               24,107        252            214
    Bronx, N.Y.                       204,496         (1,139)              29,590        101            278
    Bristol, Mass.                    203,988          1,002               26,007        204            137
    El Paso, Colo                     203,576          9,720               25,771        214             42
    Lancaster, Pa.                    199,750          2,550               26,467        188            183
    Waukesha, Wis.                    198,635          5,482               29,777        100            111
    Lake, Ind.                        196,030          3,764               28,339        133            170
    Camden, N.J.                      194,600           (393)              30,873         76            157
    Mercer, N.J.                      194,166         (3,365)              37,598         18            232
    Richland, S.C.                    191,318          4,886               25,001        233            187
    Jefferson, Colo                   190,400          2,854               30,342         91             99
    Washington, Ore                   189,387         14,668               32,770         52             34
    Snohomish, Wash.                  188,697          5,953               30,474         88             36
    Hampden, Mass.                    187,840          1,641               27,676        154            179
    Knox, Tenn.                       187,813          2,509               25,552        220            200
    Chester, Pa.                      181,695          6,154               34,978         27            142
    Allen, Ind.                       180,257            742               27,845        145            153
    Ingham, Mich.                     178,745          2,554               30,083         95            112
    Washtenaw, Mich.                  178,621          2,276               32,582         54            192
    San Joaquin, Calif.               177,886          3,967               24,763        238            271
    Genesee, Mich.                    177,756          1,802               33,294         48            288
    Hillsborough, N.H.                173,703          4,926               30,880         75             83
    Spokane, Wash.                    173,400          2,814               24,536        244            117
    Passaic, N.J.                     173,189         (3,074)              33,194         49            275
    Hamilton, Tenn.                   172,833          3,304               26,581        186            247
    Washoe, Nev.                      169,684          6,617               27,679        153             82
    Polk, Fla.                        169,663          2,679               24,106        253            144
    Richmond, Va                      169,390           (653)              32,290         59             87
    Forsyth, N.C.                     168,835          4,906               28,516        126            221
    Anne Arundel, Md                  168,154          1,159               29,182        110            151
    Stark, Ohio                       166,131          2,567               25,286        227            264
    Brevard, Fla.                     165,919            557               27,370        165            259

    Mobile, Ala                       165,413          3,001              $25,517        222            116
    Dauphin, Pa.                      163,061          2,193               29,348        104            128
    Sonoma, Calif.                    162,626          8,319               26,938        178            217
    Santa Barbara, Calif.             162,293          6,114               26,251        196            266
    Burlington, N.J.                  161,143          3,685               31,811         65             74
    Charleston, S.C.                  160,690          1,667               23,127        274            216
    Fayette, Ky                       158,389          4,572               25,935        212             73
    York, Pa.                         157,986          1,307               26,955        177            181
    Berks, Pa.                        157,960          1,894               28,206        137            228
    Arlington, Va                     157,213          3,245               40,899          9             31
    Kane, Ill.                        155,700          2,676               28,486        127             24
    Somerset, N.J.                    153,670          3,946               42,755          6            127
    Lehigh, Pa.                       152,676          2,300               30,558         83             84
    Plymouth, Mass.                   151,831          1,931               28,050        140            110
    Cumberland, Maine                 148,303          2,949               26,379        192            114
    Durham, N.C.                      148,245          4,799               35,284         26             95
    Monterey, Calif.                  146,843          6,226               24,852        235            248
    Lee, Fla.                         146,303          1,852               23,246        272             72
    Boulder, Colo                     146,175            869               30,968         74              1
    Ada, Idaho                        144,979          5,195               27,651        155            287
    Norfolk, Va                       144,673          1,503               27,191        170            210
    Virginia Beach, Va                142,387          5,300               21,567        283            175
    Madison, Ala                      142,246          3,820               31,069         71            258
    Stanislaus, Calif.                140,691          5,235               23,738        264            272
    Hinds, Miss.                      140,678          3,224               25,981        207            189
    Henrico, Va                       140,464          4,436               28,842        117             57
    Winnebago, Ill.                   139,925          2,005               27,777        149            184
    Sangamon, Ill.                    138,139          1,064               29,867         99            130
    Volusia, Fla.                     136,105            731               21,147        284            209
    Atlantic, N.J.                    135,446            874               28,727        119            145
    Nueces, Tex.                      134,439          3,319               25,048        232            134
    Hidalgo, Tex.                     134,290          2,792               18,928        289             48
    Luzerne, Pa.                      133,901            186               24,412        246            172
    Lancaster, Neb.                   132,939          3,476               24,018        256            201
    Dakota, Minn.                     132,493          4,414               28,530        124              8
    Leon, Fla.                        130,398          3,123               24,776        237             44
    Greene, Mo                        130,154          2,341               23,461        269            171
    Lane, Ore                         128,436          3,507               24,152        251            105
    Brown, Wis.                       127,204          3,394               27,118        174            205
    Westmoreland, Pa.                 126,688          1,723               24,722        240            191
    Montgomery, Ala                   126,463          2,278               25,074        231            206
    Sarasota, Fla.                    124,306          3,903               23,851        260            238
    St. Joseph, Ind.                  124,113            (58)              25,661        218            251
    Collin, Tex.                      123,797          8,121               33,441         45             16
    Erie, Pa.                         122,834            537               25,941        210            215
    Cumberland, Pa.                   121,872          4,468               27,522        163            218
    Ocean, N.J.                       121,759          1,533               25,939        211            160
    Tulare, Calif.                    121,744          3,075               19,768        287            269
    Adams, Colo                       120,928          2,801               27,187        172            106
    Utah, Utah.                       119,880          6,863               23,480        268            229

    Marion, Ore                       119,816          2,648              $24,054        255            231
    Kalamazoo, Mich.                  119,313            316               29,517        102             32
    Anchorage, Alaska                 119,068            891               33,501         42            289
    Escambia, Fla.                    118,087          3,079               23,745        263            177
    Will, Ill.                        117,499          2,556               28,361        132            254
    New London, Conn                  116,924          1,221               32,003         63            156
    Chatham, Ga                       116,255          2,148               25,459        224             39
    Caddo, La                         116,216          1,812               25,220        229            282
    Spartanburg, S.C.                 116,070            949               25,950        208            188
    Clackamas, Ore                    115,170          4,253               27,206        169             22
    Seminole, Fla.                    113,766          5,448               25,114        230            101
    Jefferson, Tex.                   113,088           (562)              27,756        151            283
    Elkhart, Ind.                     112,031         (1,780)              26,333        193             64
    Rockingham, N.H.                  110,245          3,933               27,550        160            261
    Alachua, Fla.                     109,023          1,664               22,348        279            249
    Orange, N.Y.                      108,869            955               26,028        203            250
    Kanawha, W.Va                     107,849          1,912               26,890        179            163
    Linn, Iowa                        107,825          2,504               27,523        162            158
    Lubbock, Tex.                     106,692             83               22,721        277             30
    Mahoning, Ohio                    106,385            165               23,298        271            199
    Butler, Ohio                      106,056            730               27,629        156            124
    Ottawa, Mich.                     105,836          2,696               27,877        143             13
    Vanderburgh, Ind.                 105,088          1,424               24,838        236             51
    Clayton, Ga                       104,490          1,959               30,475         87             29
    Oneida, N.Y.                      103,819           (946)              24,085        254            257
    Lafayette, La                     102,689          5,297               26,257        195             28
    Larimer, Colo                     101,790          6,137               26,166        199             59
    Marin, Calif.                     101,732          1,511               33,396         46             19
    Lorain, Ohio                      101,695            307               28,226        136            220
    Richmond, Ga                      101,675            893               24,636        243            237
    Dutchess, N.Y.                    101,539          1,504               30,546         84            225
    Howard, Md                        100,703          2,954               31,355         68            162
    Solano, Calif.                    100,555            447               25,704        216            284
    Peoria, Ill.                      100,547            714               26,326        194            253
    Clark, Wash.                      100,378          3,907               26,994        176             20
    Manatee, Fla.                      99,892            4/                20,955        285             4/
    Cumberland, N.C.                   99,020          2,300               22,508        278             80
    Buncombe, N.C.                     98,700          2,751               23,881        258            165
    Trumbull, Ohio                     97,073             (6)              30,392         89            280
    Santa Cruz, Calif.                 97,002          2,776               26,098        201             91
    Rockland, N.Y.                     96,364            324               32,866         51            233
    Shawnee, Kan.                      95,800          1,306               25,454        225            252
    Chesterfield, Va                   95,767          3,516               26,864        180            219
    Lake, Ohio                         95,759          1,058               27,236        168             86
    Lackawanna, Pa.                    95,482           (126)              23,722        266            193
    Anoka, Minn.                       94,401          2,161               28,056        139             45
    Saginaw, Mich.                     94,041          1,384               30,545         85            196
    Broome, N.Y.                       94,024         (1,582)              26,447        190            150
    Cameron, Tex.                      93,797          1,591               19,056        288            236
    Madison, Ill.                      92,476            (41)              25,651        219            279

    Catawba, N.C.                      92,139          1,037              $23,757        262            119
    Denton, Tex.                       91,930          4,820               24,532        245             14
    Minnehaha, S.D.                    90,946          2,802               23,769        261            161
    Yakima, Wash.                      90,464           (153)              19,780        286            235
    Mc Lennan, Tex.                    89,298          1,065               23,302        270            176
    Outagamie, Wis.                    89,178          3,044               26,466        189            208
    St. Louis, Minn.                   89,035          1,716               24,667        242             79
    Muscogee, Ga                       88,902          3,993               23,137        273            243
    Newport News, Va                   87,899          2,476               26,208        198            268
    Galveston, Tex.                    87,055          1,217               27,370        166            131
    Bibb, Ga                           86,789          2,049               25,692        217            226
    Chittenden, Vt                     85,223          2,582               28,564        123             54
    St. Clair, Ill.                    85,212            920               23,626        267            230
    Collier, Fla.                      84,481          2,937               23,728        265             88
    Horry, S.C.                        84,257          4,398               18,551        290            159
    St. Charles, Mo                    83,357          3,606               25,510        223             53
    Alexandria, Va                     82,993          1,738               35,304         24            212
    Winnebago, Wis.                    82,021            833               28,456        128            118
    Scott, Iowa                        81,985          3,135               25,307        226            234
    Champaign, Ill.                    81,952            959               24,982        234            241
    Placer, Calif.                     81,494          6,476               25,947        209            246
    Weber, Utah.                       81,266          5,180               22,829        275             49
    Northampton, Pa.                   81,260           (538)              27,035        175            276
    Gaston, N.C.                       80,964         (1,612)              23,877        259            256
    San Luis Obispo, Calif.            80,861          2,918               23,970        257            103
    Niagara, N.Y.                      80,096           (765)              27,522        164            245
    Gloucester, N.J.                   79,605            557               28,101        138            138
    Bell, Tex.                         79,537          2,083               22,755        276             96
    Harrison, Miss.                    79,199          2,303               21,606        282             52
    Calcasieu, La                      79,107          3,385               26,059        202            239
    Racine, Wis.                       78,873            285               27,973        142             94
    Richmond, N.Y.                     78,358          2,395               27,624        157            173
    Clay, Mo                           78,123          1,998               27,132        173             46
    Wyandotte, Kan.                    77,615           (228)              30,192         94             27
    McHenry, Ill.                      77,216          1,558               26,637        184             97
    Barnstable, Mass.                  77,139          2,109               24,154        250             71
    Thurston, Wash.                    76,613          2,190               26,575        187            260
    Yolo, Calif.                       76,448            249               29,067        113            270
    New Hanover, N.C.                  75,687          3,929               24,191        249            139
    Rock Island, Ill.                  75,519            708               29,215        109            227

    1/  Includes workers covered by Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Unemployment Compensation for Federal
    Employees (UCFE) programs.  The 290 counties comprise 69.1 percent of total covered employment and wages.
    2/  Includes areas not officially designated as counties.  See technical note.
    3/  Percent changes were computed from annual employment and pay data adjusted for noneconomic county
    reclassifications.  See technical note.
    4/  Data for this county are not comparable from year to year due to a large number of county
    reclassifications.