What does this measure?

The growth or decline in total jobs, shown as a percentage gain or loss from the previous year.

Why is this important?

Job growth is a key indicator of economic health and vitality and reveals whether and by how much an economy is expanding. In addition to the number of jobs, the quality of jobs should be considered – this is reflected in measures of average salary.

How is the Greater Capital Region performing?

Jobs in the region grew 0.6% from 2005 to 2006, below the state's growth of 1.8% and the nation's 2.4% increase. The region added jobs since 2002, but job growth fell behind the state and the nation in recent years. Over the last ten years, employment grew 5.5% in the region, compared to 14.6% for the nation and 11.5% for the state. Saratoga and Rensselaer counties outpaced the state, growing at rates of 33.5% and 12.8% respectively. Schenectady County was the only county in the region to see an actual decline in jobs, of 0.1%, over the last ten years.

Notes about the data

County employment is reported by place of work, not place of residence.