Project Overview

Background

Public Sociology – Article

Research Reports

Trip to Washington

Jobless: Policy
Issues and
Opportunities

Press Coverage

Gender and Job Loss

2005 National Conference on Sustaining Rural America

2004 National Conference on Job Loss and Recovery

Links
 
 

Research Reports


Final Report
Preliminary Research Findings (2003) of Economic Changes to Robeson County
Click here to download the Preliminary Research Findings (in .doc format). The final Research Findings will be presented at the National Conference on October 1st.


JOBS LOST FROM INDUSTRIAL LAYOFFS AND CLOSINGS

From 1993 to 2003, Robeson County lost 10,274 manufacturing jobs.
Source: NC Employment Security Commission Data
Source: Robeson County Economic Development Commission

  
(Click to Enlarge)


EMPLOYMENT SNAPSHOTS OVER TIME

In 1994:
  • Unemployment rate in Robeson County: 7.6 percent
  • Labor force: 53,287, with 49,245 employed and 4,042 unemployed
  • Of the employed, 17,060 worked in 141 manufacturing establishments
  • Manufacturing was the largest employment sector in the county
  • The annual manufacturing payroll was $318 million
Source: NC Employment Security Commission

 
(Click to Enlarge)
In 2002:
  • Unemployment rate rose to 11.9 percent
  • The labor force dropped to 50,707, with 44,662 employed and 6,045 unemployed
  • In manufacturing, employment by 2002 was 7,402
  • There were 89 manufacturing establishments in 2002
  • The annual manufacturing payroll was $203 million
Source: NC Employment Security Commission



CHANGES IN ROBESON COUNTY THAT ATTENDED THE LOSS OF JOBS

Robeson County lost over $115 million in wages from manufacturing jobs from 1994 to 2002.
Source: NC Employment Security Commission

  
(Click to Enlarge)

Unemployment insurance payments in Robeson County rose from $8 million in 1994 to $20 million in 2001.
Source: US Bureau of Economic Analysis

  
(Click to Enlarge)

People commuting out of the county for work each day increased from 9,350 in 1990 to13,246 in 2000, a 41% rise in long-distance commuting.
Source: US Bureau of Census

Federal government payments for education and training increased from $2.7 million in 1994 to $4.6 million in 2001.
Source: US Bureau of Economic Analysis

Government payments to individuals in Robeson County rose from $351 million in 1994 to $612 million in 2001.
Source: US Bureau of Economic Analysis

Bankruptcies filed from Robeson County rose from 345 in 1999 to 498 in 2002.
Source: US Eastern North Carolina District Court

The number of county residents served in area mental health programs increased from 4,336 in 1994 to 6,015 in 2001.
Source: NC Department of Health and Human Services

The number of high school graduates declined 11% between 1994 and 2001. The number of high school dropouts doubled from 263 in 1994 to 535 in 2002.
Source: NC Department of Public Instruction

The number or reported serious crimes increased 58% between 1994 and 2001.
Source: NC Department of Justice

Go to povertyeast.org/counties/robeson.html for more data on Robeson county.
And download the powerpoint presentation on Job Losses in Robeson County.

For more information, contact:

Rev. Mac Legerton, Executive Director, Center For Community Action
Patricia Locklear, Program Director, Sustainable Communities Program, CCA

Center For Community Action
P.O. Box 723, Lumberton, N.C. 28359
910-739-7851