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The table below profiles all of Connecticut's 169 cities and towns using
five economic indicators for 2001. Below are brief highlights from the latest
annual average data prepared by the Connecticut Department of Labor's Office
of Research.
Labor Force
Stamford continued to have the largest resident labor force of 65,817, while
the smallest was in Union with 405 persons in 2001. All but six towns
experienced declines in labor force from 2000. Among the State's largest
cities, Bridgeport had the greatest decrease in its labor force, -0.6 percent
over the year. Overall, the statewide labor force fell by 1.7 percent from a
year ago.
Unemployment Rate
Hartford's 6.6 percent was the highest unemployment rate last year, up from
4.8 percent in 2000. Sharon, once again, posted the lowest jobless rate of 1.0
percent. The statewide rate increased from 2.3 in 2000 to 3.3 in 2001.
Establishments
The total number of business establishments in Connecticut rose by 0.5
percent to 108,736 last year. Stamford continued to have the largest number of
establishments, with 5,121 units in 2001, a decline of 1.9 percent over the
year.
Employment
Last year's average statewide employment fell by 0.5 percent. Hartford,
Bridgeport, New Haven, Stamford, and Waterbury were among 93 cities and towns
that experienced employment losses over the year.
Wages
In 2001, the highest annual wage of $97,245 was
paid to employees of firms located in Greenwich, a 9.4 percent increase from the
previous the year. The statewide average was $46,946 per worker, a 3.4 percent
increase over 2000.
The Connecticut Department of Labor, through a Federal-State cooperative
statistical effort, uses a standardized approach to identify, describe, and
track the effects of major job cutbacks by using data from the State's
unemployment insurance program. Both private and government establishments are
included if they have had at least 50 initial claims for unemployment insurance
(UI) filed against them during a consecutive five-week period. These
establishments are contacted by telephone to determine whether the separations
were for more than 30 days in duration. If the layoff is of this duration, it
qualifies as an extended mass layoff event. Confidential information obtained
during the telephone interview includes the reasons for the separations, the
total number of employees separated, the establishment's employment level
before the separating event occurred, and the recall expectations of the
establishment.
Establishments are identified according to industry classification and
location. Unemployment insurance claimants' demographic characteristics are
identified, including age, gender, race/ethnic group, and place of residence. In
addition, information is obtained on an individual's entire spell of
unemployment during the survey quarter, to the point when regular unemployment
insurance benefits are exhausted. Any information published is in summary form
only; no information can be released that would identify an individual person or
business.
Extended Mass Layoffs
The number of extended mass layoff events in Connecticut has been increasing
since 1999 when there were 33 events in which 12,573 workers were idled for more
than 30 days. The total number of layoff events in 2000 was slightly higher at
36, although there were fewer separations at 9,361. In 2001, 60 mass layoff
events by businesses in Connecticut resulted in 15,008 workers becoming idle for
more than 30 days. The increase in mass layoffs is a reflection of the downturn
in the State's economy that began in mid-2000.
There were 8,572 initial UI claims filed by workers affected by the extended
mass layoffs during 2001. Of those, 820 received a final benefit payment which
exhausted their benefits. This compares with 5,370 initial claims in the year
2000, and 1,191 exhaustion payments.
Nearly 16 percent of initial claimants, who were out of work for more than 30
days in 2001 due to mass layoffs, were black, a figure unchanged from 2000.
Workers of Hispanic origin comprised nine percent of total extended mass
layoffs, also the same as a year earlier. In addition, 48.9 percent of total
initial claimants were female, down slightly from 49.2 percent in 2000.
Claimants 55 years of age and over comprised 15.5 percent of all claimants
associated with extended mass layoffs in 2001, up from a year earlier when they
comprised 14.7 percent of the workforce.
The reason for cutbacks most cited by employers involved in these events was
the usual seasonal endings or slowdowns in business activity. This reason alone
accounted for nearly one third of all events and resulted in 6,937 separations
in 2001. Other reasons stated for layoffs were company reorganization (12
percent) and financial difficulty (10 percent).
Permanent Closures
Thirteen worksites meeting the extended mass layoff criteria closed during
2001 in Connecticut. This compares with eight closures in 2000, more than a 60
percent increase. The number of jobs affected in 2001 was 3,609. This was a 75
percent increase over the number of separations in 2000, which totaled 2,061.
For more information on Mass Layoffs, contact John Toomey by calling
263-6302 or by emailing john.toomey@po.state.ct.us.
The housing market in Connecticut remains strong despite the current economic
downturn. With mortgage rates at a 35-year low, recent stock market tumbles, and
dot-com companies collapsed, investors have diverted their attention to real
estate. Americans now treat the purchase of residential real estate as the
investment of choice in times of economic uncertainty, according to a new study
from the Milken Institute.
Thus, housing has stayed tight over the past 18 months. Realtors report that
houses are selling quickly once they are put on the market and that selling
prices are sometimes higher than the asking prices. The Department of Economic
and Community Development (DECD), which is the State's lead agency in housing
matters and tracks new residential permits, reports the year-to-date
authorizations on housing permits through June 2002 are up nearly six percent
compared with a year ago. This translates into more new homes that will be
supplied in this tight market.
Sales Prices
Connecticut's economy often mirrors the national economy, and so does its
housing sector. Nationwide, housing values appreciated an average of 7.4 percent
during 2001 according to statistics from the Office of Federal Housing
Enterprise Oversight. In Connecticut, according to the 2000 Census and data
compiled by the Connecticut Policy and Economic Council (CPEC), the median price
of homes shot up to $166,900, a 20.9 percent increase from $138,000 in 1996, and
an 11.3 percent rise from $149,900 in 1999. Around the state, the median value
of homes in 2000 ranged from $288,900 in Fairfield County to $117,200 in Windham
County.
Housing Production
Total housing production in 2001 almost kept pace with the previous year,
with 9,290 new housing units authorized and added to Connecticut's housing
inventory. The production level was lower by less than one percent (or 86 units)
when compared with the 9,376 units approved in 2000. Among the new units, 7,835
were single-family homes and the remainder were for multi-family dwellings. The
DECD's annual survey collected a total of 1,733 demolition permits. The
demolished units in Hartford, West Haven, New Haven, Bridgeport and Greenwich
combined accounted for almost half of the total demolitions. As a result, the
statewide housing net gain was 7,557 units.
In addition, the average single unit of construction posted a five percent
gain in valuation. The valuation of construction is the cost of construction as
recorded on the building permit. The average construction value of single unit
housing increased from $162,845 in 2000 to $170,924 in 2001. The total
investment in authorized construction activity was an estimated $1.44 billion
during 2001.
The combined share of new housing units in the largest three counties in the
State remained the same as a year ago at 63 percent. However, development in
each county varied greatly from 2000 to 2001. The number of housing units in
Fairfield County stayed flat, while Hartford County showed almost a 19 percent
increase, and New Haven County declined more than 17 percent over the same
period.
Rental Housing
Census 2000 reports nearly 430,000 renter occupied housing units in
Connecticut. More than three-quarters of them were in the three largest
counties. Rental rates vary from region to region, but the statewide median rent
of $681 was down 11 percent from the 1990 Census inflation-adjusted figure of
$764. However, over 37 percent of renters spend at least 30 percent of their
household income on rent, versus the industry standard of 28 percent of income
on housing. This means more than one-third of renters are spending a larger
portion of their income on housing and, therefore, have less available for other
expenses.
Conclusion
One of the biggest American dreams is home ownership, and purchasing a house
may be the most important investment in a person's lifetime. Today's housing
market has kept pace with last year's and continues to experience significant
demand. Housing supply and demand, affordability, and homeownership remain
important issues in Connecticut and probably will for the foreseeable future.
Introduction
In 1653 the Boston Public Library opened, becoming the
first public library in America. In 1732, Benjamin Franklin began a circulating
library, the Library Company of Philadelphia. By 1876, The American Library
Association had formed to improve library methods and train employees; today
they estimate that there are more public libraries than McDonald's. Even
remote areas are reached by traveling libraries, or "bookmobiles." At
the center of every library is the all-knowing, shushing librarian.
What Do They Do?
Librarians use analytical, organizational, and
communicative skills to assist people in finding information and using it
effectively for professional and personal use. They select, acquire, catalogue,
classify, circulate, and maintain library materials including books, newspapers,
periodicals, microfiche, and maps. No longer limited to print media, librarians
also draw on the Internet, CD-ROM, virtual libraries and remote resources; they
may set up or work with databases and information systems to catalogue and
access information. Librarians may perform in-depth research, analyze, edit, and
filter information. As librarians advance into supervisory or director
positions, they become more involved with budgetary concerns, administrative
duties, and overseeing workers. Librarians can be found in a variety of
settings: public libraries, schools, colleges and universities, museums,
corporations, government agencies, law firms, non-profit organizations, and
healthcare providers. More than two out of 10 librarians work part-time.
For many librarians, their time is primarily dedicated
to providing customer service. They draw on their knowledge of resources and
technology to assist users in finding and understanding information. As more
libraries include public access computers, they are called on to teach the
basics of computer use. With growing multi-lingual populations, librarians are
developing selections and services in other languages, most notably in Spanish.
They may also coordinate community events such as book sales, book clubs, and
authors' lectures. Children's librarians will confer with teachers, parents
and community groups to assist in developing resources and programs to further
children's education.
Education and Training
Most librarian positions require a master's degree in
Library Science (MLS), and preference is given to graduates from schools
accredited by the American Library Association (www.ala.org). In Connecticut,
Southern Connecticut State University is the only school to offer this degree.
For school librarians, employers often prefer graduates with a specialty in
school library media from a college or university accredited by the National
Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. A Ph.D. degree is
advantageous for a college teaching position, or a top administrative job in a
college or university library or large library system. Any liberal arts bachelor
degree is an acceptable prerequisite. However, work in specialized libraries
such as law or medicine may require a bachelor's or master's degree in their
area of expertise.
Earnings
Librarian wages vary depending on the position, with
primarily administrative positions earning more. Overall, the 2000 national
average wage for librarians was $41,700. In Connecticut, the 2001 average annual
wage for librarians was $49,800. The average entry-level wage was $35,995. The
Stamford Labor Market Area (LMA) paid the highest average at $57,750; the lowest
average wage was found in the Bridgeport LMA at $45,640 (see chart).
Employment Outlook
In Connecticut, librarians are expected to experience a
decline in jobs, with a two percent drop in employment levels each year through
2008. However, 80 librarians will be needed each year to replace workers
retiring, dying, and otherwise leaving the occupation, keeping librarians in
high demand. Librarians seeking positions in rural areas or in nontraditional
settings, such as information brokers, private corporations, and consulting
firms will face less competition for positions.
On a national level, the American Library Association
reports that librarians have a high median age of 47 years, and almost 58
percent of professional librarians will reach the age of 65 between 2005 and
2009. Since 87 percent of librarians are white and 81 percent are women, the
American Library Association reports efforts to diversify the workforce through
scholarships and awareness campaigns.
Businesses surveyed in 1999 said they wanted it. The more than 200 community
leaders overseeing the research said the businesses should have it. The
Governor's Council on Economic Competitiveness and Technology agreed it would
contribute to the State's overall competitiveness, and so the Department of
Economic and Community Development (DECD) has funded the Hartford Economic
Development Commission (HEDC) to implement the Hartford Enterprise Partnership (HEP).
A key recommendation of the Hartford Inner City Business Strategy, HEDC has
received a two-year, $200,000 grant from DECD to establish the HEP, which will
be a clearinghouse for business services and information in the capital city.
And Robert E. Patricelli, Chief Executive Officer of two local health care
companies, is now leading this initiative in his new role as Hartford's City
Champion, a private-sector leader who represents his city and the statewide
inner-city business initiative on the Governor's Council.
The Inner City Business Strategy, a component of the state's Industry Cluster
Initiative, uses market-based strategies to strengthen the business base in five
of Connecticut's inner cities (Bridgeport, Hartford, New Britain, New Haven and
Waterbury). The goal is to increase the income, wealth and employment
opportunities for inner-city residents by promoting business development. To
read more about the Hartford Inner City Business Strategy, visit www.decd.org
or www.YouBelongInCT.com.
Commissioner James F.
Abromaitis of the Connecticut
Department of Economic and
Community Development announced
that Connecticut communities
authorized 927 new
housing units in July 2002, a 1.9
percent increase compared to July
of 2001 when 910 units were
authorized.
The Department further indicated
that the 927 units permitted
in July 2002 represent an 18.5
percent increase from the 782
units permitted in June 2002.
The year-to-date permits are up
5.2 percent, from 5,439 through
July 2001, to 5,723 through July
2002.
The New Haven Labor Market
Area added 131 new housing
units, an increase of 48 units
compared to a year ago. Both
Ellington and Wallingford led all
Connecticut communities with 40
units each, followed by Berlin with
25 and Greenwich with 23 units.
From a county perspective,
Tolland County had the largest
percentage gain (71.2 percent)
compared to a year ago.
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