2.4
Table 2-3.
Economic Development
%
Labor
Force Armed
Forces Employed Unemployed North
Carolina 4,850,140 87,733 4,234,977 527,430 11.1%
Beaufort
County 21,630 10 18,970 2,650 12.3%
8,536 17 7,312 1,207 14.2%
Jurisdiction
The Study Area is home to a diverse economy, yet one industry that impacts
every county within North Carolina is tourism, with an average of $55 million
spent in lodging, food, and retail per day. Due to the state’s history, culture,
and scenic views, the state attracted approximately 52.5 million visitors in the
year 2013 making North Carolina one of the top six most visited states in the
US. Table 2‐2 shows the impact of tourism on each county. Dare, Wayne, and
Beaufort Counties benefit the most from tourism and travel.
2009-2013 Labor Force
Bertie
County
Unemployed
Dare County 20,168 36 18,629 1,503 7.5%
Source: https://www.nccommerce.com/tourism Hyde County 2,620 0 2,394 226 8.6%
Table 2-2. Tyrrell
County 1,790 0 1,464 326 18.2%
Washington
County 5,359 0 4,183 1,176 21.9%
Wayne
County 61,728 3,484 50,744 7,500 12.9%
City of
Goldsboro 16,236 1,859 11,743 2,634 18.3%
3,878 0 3,290 588 15.2%
2013 Impact of Tourism
Jurisdiction
Expenditures
(millions)
Payroll
(millions)
Employment
(thousands)
Beaufort County 70.99 8.97 .43
Bertie County 12.73 1.23 .05
Dare County 953.04 191.73 11.75
Hyde County 32.36 6.06 .37
Tyrrell County 3.46 .32 .01
14.36 1.83 .09
147.46 19.06 .99
Washington
County
Wayne County
City of
Washington
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5‐Year Estimates, Selected
Economic Characteristics, 2009‐2013
Source: North Carolina Department of Commerce 2013 Impact of Travel on North Carolina Beaufort County
Table 2‐3 shows the local labor force. Unemployment is below the state
average in Dare and Hyde Counties. The unemployment rate in Beaufort,
Bertie, Tyrrell, Washington, and Wayne counties, along with the cities of
Goldsboro and Washington is above both the state average and national
average (6.0 percent). Washington County has the highest unemployment
rate at 21.9 percent. Beaufort County is popular due to its waterfront areas and historic features.
Many manufacturers choose to locate their businesses in Beaufort County
because of the low tax rates and mild climate. The primary industries in
Beaufort County are education, healthcare, manufacturing and retail. The
manufacturing industry comprises of 12.6 percent of the c ounty’s workforce.
Some of the top manufacturers include PotashCorp Aurora, Flanders Filters,
and Stanadyne. Many of the products manufactured include mechanical
parts.
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Background Report