What does this measure?

The net growth or decline in jobs by sector, shown as a percentage gain or loss from 2001 to 2006.

Why is this important?

Job growth by sector is a key indicator of economic vitality and reveals how the structure of industry and the composition of employment in the region is changing.

How is the Greater Capital Region performing?

Overall, the Greater Capital Region posted growth of about 547,000 jobs, an increase of about 5% in the five-year period from 2001 to 2006. This growth was less than the nation (7%) but about even with the state (4%). The Manufacturing sector lost about 4,000 jobs (or 14%), the largest loss of all the sectors. This was smaller than the state's Manufacturing decline (19%), but similar to the nation's 13%. Schoharie County lost slightly more than half its Manufacturing jobs. Employment in Government, the region's largest sector, also declined through the period, losing 2%.

During the same period, the region enjoyed 29% growth in the Educational Services sector, larger than gains in the state (18%) and the country (21%). Saratoga County's Educational Services sector expanded 59%, outpacing all other sectors and geographies. The region's Construction, Financial Activities and Leisure and Hospitality sectors also posted gains.

Notes about the data

County employment estimates are reported by place of work, not place of residence. As a result, Albany County employs more than its population share due to in-commuting from surrounding counties. Compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, this data series includes farming and employment among sole proprietors. As a consequence, these totals are larger than those estimated monthly by the NYS Department of Labor and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.