Wayne County
Tables 2‐16 and 2‐17 show the major employers and total jobs per industry
sector in Wayne County, respectively.
Although Seymour Johnson AFB is the county’s largest employer, the primary
industries in Wayne County are education, health care, social assistance, and
manufacturing. In 2012, Seymour Johnson AFB employed over 7,600 military
and civilian personnel, producing a total economic impact of $527.4 million.
Although the agriculture sector only makes up only 5.5 percent of
employment in Wayne County, it is the third largest agricultural county in the
state, with the agri‐business making up about 22 percent of the county’s total
gross income.
Source: Partners in One Community Brochure; Wayne County Board of Commissioner
Minutes, 2010; http://www.waynegov.com/Page/16
Table 2-16.
From early settlement to present day, tobacco, corn, wheat, soybeans,
cotton, oats, dairy, and poultry have been the main agricultural products
produced. Pickles and relishes, furniture, textiles and technical equipment
are common manufactured goods produced within the county. One of the
lead pickle manufacturers, the Mount Olive Company, is also located in
Wayne County. Due to the county’s climate, the area is able to experience a
growing season of up to 225 days out of the year. Additionally, the county
has a variety of soils which allows for a high level of agricultural farming.
Employment Range
Seymour Johnson AFB 1000+
Wayne County Board Of Education 1000+
Wayne Memorial Hospital 1000+
Wal-Mart 1000+
County of Wayne
500-999
Source: NC Commerce, Labor and Economic Analysis Division, 2014
Table 2-17.
Wayne County Jobs per Industry Sector
Industry
Two organizations support Wayne County economic development, the
Wayne County Development Alliance and the Wayne County Chamber of
Commerce. The Wayne County Development Alliance is a cooperative public‐
private, non‐profit organization designed to provide the lead in economic
development initiatives for the advancement of Wayne County and its
citizens through the creation of meaningful jobs and purposeful capital
investments. The Development Alliance has six main program initiatives:
Product Development; Business Recruitment & Marketing; Business
Retention & Expansion; Education & Workforce Development; Seymour
Johnson Air Force Base; and Investor Relations. The Wayne County Chamber
of Commerce is a voluntary non‐profit organization of business and
professional persons who have joined together for the purpose of promoting
the civic and economic progress of our community.
Page 2‐18
Major Employers in Wayne County
Major Employers
Percent
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting, and Mining 2,806 5.5%
Construction 2,903 5.7%
Manufacturing 7,498 14.8%
Wholesale Trade 2,257 4.4%
Retail Trade 5,463 10.8%
Transportation and warehousing, and utilities 2,181 4.3%
854 1.7%
Finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and
leasing 1,723 3.4%
Professional, scientific, and management, and
administrative and waste management services 2,764 5.4%
Educational services, and health care and social
assistance 11,962 23.6%
Information
Estimate
Background Report