North Central Kansas County Profiles

2008
Geary County

ROUGH DRAFT

Project funding support provided by Rural Business Tax Credits

from the Kansas Department of Commerce through NCKCN, an
affiliate of North Central Regional Planning Commission.

Advanced Manufacturing Institute

510 McCall Road
Manhattan, KS – 66502-5034
785-532-7044
785-532-7031
 GEARY COUNTY

Section I
Overview of Geary County

Geary County is
one of 105 counties
of the sunflower
state located in the
north central part
of Kansas. The
county seat is the
City of Junction
City.

2
 GEARY COUNTY

County Profile - Geary County, KS

Geary County is one of the 105 counties in the state of Kansas. The 2007 populations
estimate lists the population to be 25,150. According to 2000 estimates, it has 384.69
square miles in land area and a population density of 72.6 people per square mile. The
average household size is 2.61 persons (2000), and the median household income is
$31,614 (2004) (US census Bureau).

Population Estimates

Geary County has a population of 25,150 as of July 1, 2007 (US Census Bureau). The
population decreased by 10% from the year 2000 to 2007. As per the 2000 census
survey, population of the county was 27,947 with median age of 29.1 years. In 2000,
Geary County had 25.2% of its population under the age of 15 years, 33.2% in the age
group 15 to 34 years, 29.1% in the age group 35 years to 59 years and 12.5% of its
population above 60 years of age.

Table 1: Population estimates for Geary County

Year Ending Geary County Kansas
Population Estimates
July 1,2007 25,150 2,775,997
July 1,2006 25,451 2,755,817
July 1,2005 25,353 2,741,665
July 1,2004 25,787 2,730,828
July 1,2003 26,789 2,721,824
July 1,2002 26,918 2,712,383
July 1,2001 27,330 2,700,979
July 1,2000 27,780 2,692,890
Census 2000 April 1,2000 27,947 2,688,418
2000 to 2007 % change -10.01% 3.26%
1990 to 2000 % change -8.2% 8.5%
Source: US Census Bureau

3
 GEARY COUNTY

3,000,000

2,688,418
2,477,574
2,363,679
2,246,578
2,500,000

2,178,611
1,905,299
1,880,999

1,801,028
1,769,257
2,000,000

1,690,949
Kansas
1,500,000 1,470,495

1,000,000

500,000
35,000

30,453
29,852
28,779

28,111

27,947
30,000
25,000

21,671
20,000
15,222
14,366

Geary County
13,452
12,681

15,000
10,744

10,000
5,000
0
1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000
Source: US census Bureau

Figure 1: Population Change in the Last Century

Table 2: Sex and Age of Population (2000 Census)

SEX AND AGE Count Percentage
Male 13,784 49.32%
Female 14,163 50.68%
Under 5 years 2,635 9.43%
5 to 9 years 2,286 8.18%
10 to 14 years 2,124 7.60%
15 to 19 years 2,139 7.65%
20 to 24 years 2,890 10.34%
25 to 34 years 4,251 15.21%
35 to 44 years 4,125 14.76%
45 to 54 years 2,964 10.61%
55 to 59 years 1,041 3.72%
60 to 64 years 858 3.07%
65 to 74 years 1,437 5.14%
75 to 84 years 895 3.20%
85 years and over 302 1.08%
Source: US Census Bureau

4
 GEARY COUNTY

Household Income

Median household income for Geary County is $37,758 which is 11.91% less than the
state median income of $42,861. The median household income had declined by 0.92%
in the county from 2000 to 2005, but that rate is far less than the rate state median
income has declined at 9.9%

Table 3: Median Income in Geary County

Median Income Geary Kansas
Median household income in 2005 $37,758 $42,861
Median household income in 1999 (adj. for inflation1) $37,415 $47,622
5-year percent change 2000 to 2005 0.92% -9.9%
Source: USDA ERS (www.ers.usda.gov) and US Census Bureau

$60,000 
$47,622 
$50,000  $42,861 
$37,758  $37,415 
$40,000 
$30,000  Geary
$20,000  Kansas
$10,000 
$0 
Median household income in 2005 Median household income in 1999 

Figure 2: Median Income in Geary County and Kansas

Poverty Rates

The current poverty rate for Geary County is almost equal to the state poverty rate. In
2000, Geary County’s poverty rate was 11% which increased to 11.6% in 2007. The
poverty rate for Kansas in the same period went from 8.9% to 11.7%.

Table 4: Poverty Estimates for Geary County

Poverty Estimates Geary 5-Year % Change Kansas
Poverty rate in 2007 11.6 -- 11.7
In 2000 11.0 5.5% 8.9
Poverty rate for children
18.1 -- 14.7
under 18 in 2007
17.7 2.3% 11.9
In 2000
Source: US Census Bureau (Downloaded from www.stats.indiana.edu)

1
Value 2005 dollars term calculated using CPI inflation calculator available at Bureau of Labor Statistics website
http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl. The CPI inflation calculator uses the average Consumer Price Index for a given
calendar year. This data represents changes in prices of all goods and services purchased for consumption by urban
households. This index value has been calculated every year since 1913. For the current year, the latest monthly
index value is used (www.bls.gov).

5
 GEARY COUNTY

Labor Force

Geary County’s current unemployment rate is 4.3% which is more than the state rate of
4.1%. The total labor force for the county declined by 0.8% in the last five years and
along with that the unemployed labor force also declined by 27.9% in the last five years.

Table 5: Labor Force Annual Averages for Geary County

Labor Force Annual Averages in 2007 Geary County Kansas
Total Labor Force 11,393 1,478,781
5-year % change -0.8% 3.8%
10-year % change 12.6% 6.9%
Employed 10,905 1,418,666
5-year % change 0.9% 5.0%
10-year % change 16.0% 6.7%
Unemployed 488 60,115
5-year % change -27.9% -17.8%
10-year % change -32.2% 12.0%
Unemployment Rate 4.3 4.1
5-year % change -27.1% -19.6%
10-year % change -39.4% 5.1%
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics (Downloaded from www.stats.indiana.edu)

4.28%

Employed
Unemployed

95.72%

Figure 3: Employed and Unemployed Labor Force in Geary County

6
 GEARY COUNTY

Educational Attainment

About eighty-six percent of the population above the age of 25 is at least a high school
graduate or higher. 30.8% of the population above the age of twenty-five had some
college education, and 25.2% hold some kind of college degree.

Table 6: Educational Attainment – Geary County

Percent of Percent of
Educational Attainment: Census 2000 Geary Population Kansas Population
25+ 25+
Total Population 25 and Older 15,744 100.0% 1,701,207 100.0%
Less Than 9th Grade 708 4.5% 88,124 5.2%
9th to 12th, No Diploma 1,494 9.5% 149,675 8.8%
High School Graduate (incl. equiv.) 4,726 30.0% 507,612 29.8%
Some College, No Degree 4,851 30.8% 417,722 24.6%
Associate Degree 1,267 8.0% 99,096 5.8%
Bachelor's Degree 1,738 11.0% 290,271 17.1%
Graduate or Professional Degree 960 6.1% 148,707 8.7%
Source: US Census Bureau

100% Graduate or Professional 
6.10% 8.70% Degree
90% 11.00%
17.10% Bachelor's Degree
80% 8.00%
70% 5.80%
Associate Degree
60% 30.80%
24.60%
50% Some College, No Degree
40%
30% 30.00% 29.80% High School Graduate (incl. 
20% equiv.)

10% 9.50% 8.80% 9th to 12th, No Diploma

0% 4.50% 5.20%
Geary Kansas Less Than 9th Grade

Figure 4: Educational Attainment – Geary County

7
 GEARY COUNTY

Workers Commuting to Work

Almost sixty percent of the labor force work in the county itself. The maximum outflow of
workers from Geary County is to Riley County. Around 4,238 workers i.e. 31.59% of
workers commuting to work, travel to Riley County for work. Another 376 workers
commute to Dickinson County for work.

Table 7: Workers (Commuting to Work) Living in Geary County

Workers Living in County in Pct Dist. Pct Dist.
Geary Kansas
2000 in County in State
Total 13,414 100.0% 1,310,746 100.0%
Working in County 7,948 59.53% 1,214,739 92.7%
Working Elsewhere 5,429 40.47% 96,007 7.3%
Maricopa County, AZ 8 0.06% - -
Kern County, CA 5 0.04% - -
San Bernardino County, 101 0.75% - -
Adams County, Colorado 2 0.01% - -
Denver County, Colorado 9 0.07% - -
Jefferson County, 7 0.05% - -
Vanderburgh County, IN 10 0.07% - -
Cherokee County, KS 10 0.07% - -
Clay County, KS 6 0.04% - -
Dickinson County, KS 376 2.80% - -
Ford County, KS 3 0.02% - -
Jefferson County, KS 16 0.12% - -
Jewell County, KS 10 0.07% - -
Marshall County, KS 3 0.02% - -
Morris County, KS 59 0.44% - -
Norton County, KS 14 0.10% - -
Pottawatomie County, KS 131 0.98% - -
Riley County, KS 4,238 31.59% - -
Saline County, KS 66 0.49% - -
Sedgwick County, KS 18 0.13% - -
Shawnee County, KS 101 0.75% - -
Wyandotte County, KS 3 0.02% - -
Macomb County, MI 9 0.07% - -
Saginaw County, MI 7 0.05% - -
Morrison County, MN 6 0.04% - -
Adams County, MS 7 0.05% - -
Greene County, MO 25 0.19% - -
Jackson County, MO 2 0.01% - -
Allen County, OH 2 0.01% - -
Bryan County, OK 6 0.04% - -
Comanche County, OK 6 0.04% - -

8
 GEARY COUNTY

Workers Living in County in Pct Dist. Pct Dist.

Geary Kansas
2000 in County in State
Coos County, OR 7 0.05% - -
Richland County, SC 12 0.09% - -
Bell County, TX 5 0.04% - -
Bexar County, TX 9 0.07% - -
Ellis County, TX 13 0.10% - -
El Paso County, TX 7 0.05% - -
Mecklenburg County, VA 7 0.05% - -
Prince George County, VA 20 0.15% - -
Brown County, WI 27 0.20% - -
Buffalo County, WI 12 0.09% - -
Wood County, WI 6 0.04% - -
BOSNIA AND 30 0.22% - -
KOREA 6 0.04% - -
SOUTH KOREA 2 0.01% - -
Source: US Census Bureau (Includes only workers over 16 years old)

9
-- Less than 1% of residence county population commutes
-- 1.0% -4.9% of residence county population commutes
-- 5.0% - 9.9% of residence county population commutes
-- 10.0% - 19.9% of residence county population commutes
-- 20% or more residence county population commutes

Figure 5: Workers Commute from Geary County

The maximum inflow of workers to Geary County is from Riley County. Around 2,013
workers commute to Geary County from Riley County for work, and 691 come from
Dickinson County. In total, around 3,536 workers commute to Geary County for work.

Table 8: People Working in Geary County

People Working in County in Pct Dist. Pct Dist.
Geary Kansas
2000 in County in State
Total 11,521 100.0% 1,317,070 100.0%
Living in County 7,985 69.31% 1,214,739 92.2%
Living Elsewhere 3,536 30.69% 102,331 7.8%
Dallas Co. AL 6 - - -
Maricopa Co. AZ 6 - - -
Navajo Co. AZ 6 - - -
Adams County, Iowa 3 - - -
Wapello County, Iowa 8 - - -
Butler County, Kansas 2 - - -
Chase County, Kansas 5 - - -
Clay County, Kansas 249 - - -
Crawford County, Kansas 2 - - -
Dickinson County, Kansas 691 - - -
Johnson County, Kansas 15 - - -
McPherson County, Kansas 4 - - -
Marion County, Kansas 4 - - -
Marshall County, Kansas 1 - - -
Miami County, Kansas 6 - - -
Morris County, Kansas 173 - - -
Ottawa County, Kansas 2 - - -
Pottawatomie County, Kansas 181 - - -
Reno County, Kansas 3 - - -
Republic County, Kansas 2 - - -
Riley County, Kansas 2,013 - - -
Saline County, Kansas 25 - - -
Sedgwick County, Kansas 8 - - -
Shawnee County, Kansas 27 - - -
Wabaunsee County, Kansas 14 - - -
Washington County, Kansas 2 - - -
Vernon Parish LA 9 - - -
Ingham Co. MI 6 - - -
Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska 5 - - -
McKinley Co. NM 8 - - -
Cumberland Co. NC 8 - - -
Comanche County, Oklahoma 3 - - -
Grady County, Oklahoma 10 - - -
Union Co. OR 6 - - -
Davison Co. SD 5 - - -
 GEARY COUNTY

People Working in County in Pct Dist. Pct Dist.

Geary Kansas
2000 in County in State
Lincoln Co. SD 2 - - -
Dallas Co. TX 8 - - -
Potter Co. TX 6 - - -
Waupaca Co. WI 2 - - -
Source: US Census Bureau (Includes only workers over 16 years old.)

12
 -- Less than 1% of residence county population commutes
-- 1.0% -4.9% of residence county population commutes
-- 5.0% - 9.9% of residence county population commutes
-- 10.0% - 19.9% of residence county population commutes
-- 20% or more residence county population commutes

Figure 6: Workers Commuting to Geary County

 Section – II
Industry Analysis
 GEARY COUNTY

Industry Analysis

Industry Totals for Geary County

Industry employment in Geary County increased by 21.64% from 1990 to 2007. Average pay (after adjusting for inflation)
increased by 18.25%, although the number of establishments in the same period decreased by around 5%. The number
of establishments declined at a steady rate from 1990 to 2004, and the number of establishments started increasing after
that going up from 615 in 2004 to 678 in 2007.

Table 9: Annual Covered Employment & Wages2 Over Time (NAICS) – Geary County
Average Pay in Terms of 20073 Dollars
Year Establishments Employment Average Annual Pay
(adj*)
1990 714 11212 $16,249 $25,777
1991 712 10477 $17,281 $26,307
1992 707 11282 $16,824 $24,863
1993 671 10979 $18,527 $26,584
1994 660 10407 $18,987 $26,564
1995 660 10526 $17,829 $24,257
1996 663 11331 $19,733 $26,077
1997 663 12008 $19,965 $25,792
1998 658 12201 $20,996 $26,708

2
Covered Employment & Wages (CEW) also known as ES202 data are the product of a federal-state cooperative program, the Quarterly Census of Employment
and Wages (QCEW) program, also known as the ES-202 program. The data are derived from summaries of employment and total pay of workers covered by state
and federal unemployment insurance (UI) legislation and provided by State Workforce Agencies (SWAs). The summaries are a result of the administration of state
unemployment insurance programs that require most employers to pay quarterly taxes based on the employment and wages of workers covered by UI.
(www.bls.gov).
3
Average wages in 2007 dollars term calculated using CPI inflation calculator available at Bureau of Labor Statistics website http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl.
The CPI inflation calculator uses the average Consumer Price Index for a given calendar year. This data represents changes in prices of all goods and services
purchased for consumption by urban households. This index value has been calculated every year since 1913. For the current year, the latest monthly index value
is used (www.bls.gov).

15
 GEARY COUNTY

Average Pay in Terms of 20073 Dollars

Year Establishments Employment Average Annual Pay
(adj*)
1999 661 12299 $21,133 $26,301
2000 655 12385 $22,223 $26,758
2001 645 12126 $22,990 $26,916
2002 629 11977 $24,807 $28,591
2003 619 11994 $25,532 $28,771
2004 615 12523 $26,474 $29,059
2005 635 12734 $27,636 $29,340
2006 661 13518 $29,029 $29,856
2007 678 13638 $30,481 $30,481
Change from 1990 to 2007 -36 2426 $14,232 $4,704
Percent change from 1990 to 2007 -5.04% 21.64% 87.59% 18.25%
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) *adj = Adjusted for Inflation.

16
 GEARY COUNTY

Establishments
740
714 712 707
720
700 678
680 671
660 660 663 663 658 661 661
655
660 645
629 635
640 619 615
620
600
580
560
Jobs
16000
13518 13638
14000 12734
12008 12201 12299 12385 12126 11977 11994 12523
11212 11282 10979 11331
12000 10477 10407 10526
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
Average Annual Pay adjusted

$29,340

$29,856

$30,481
$29,059
$28,771
$28,591
$26,916
$26,758
$26,708
$26,584

$26,564
$26,307

$26,301
$26,077

$25,792
$25,777

$24,863

$24,257

$35,000
$30,000
$25,000
$20,000
$15,000
$10,000
$5,000
$0
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Figure 7: Changes in Establishments, Employment and Average Annual Wages in the County
17
 GEARY COUNTY

Jobs and Average Wages by Industry

Retail Trade has the largest number establishments in the sector with 89 establishments. Public Administration is the
largest sector in Geary County in terms of employment with 2452 jobs. The highest paid sector is the Professional,
Scientific & Technical Services (annual average wage is $54,637). Other high wage paying sectors are: Public
Administration (annual average wages of $46,576) and Construction (annual average wages of $38,258).

Table 10: Industry Distribution of Establishments, Jobs, and Average Wages – Geary County
Industry Distribution of Establishments, Jobs & Average Wages (2007) Establishments Jobs Annual Average Wage
Total Covered Employment and Wages 678 13638 $30,481
Private 614 8359 $25,063
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting 6 N N
Mining 1 N N
Utilities 4 N N
Construction 86 608 $38,258
Manufacturing 8 221 $23,326
Wholesale Trade 18 N N
Retail Trade 89 1745 $19,344
Transportation and Warehousing 25 316 $25,202
Information 15 190 $36,284
Finance and Insurance 43 244 $33,225
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 39 160 $23,098
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 56 N $54,637
Management of Companies and Enterprises 3 N N
Administrative & Support & Waste Management & Remediation Services 55 1450 $33,535
Educational Services 9 58 $25,962
Health Care and Social Assistance 55 1256 $32,432
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 11 96 $10,820
Accommodation and Food Services 71 1410 $12,040
Other Services (except Public Administration) 55 593 $27,670
Public Administration 30 2452 $46,576
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) N – Non-disclosed, NA- Not Applicable

18
 GEARY COUNTY

Establishments Jobs

Agriculture Mining
Utilities Construction
Manufacturing Wholesale Trade
Retail Trade Transportation & Warehousing
Information Finance and Insurance
Real Estate  Professional & Technical Services
Management of Companies Waste Management
Educational Services Health Care 
Arts & Entertainment Accommodation & Food Services
Other Services (except Public Adm) Public Administration

Figure 8: Establishments and Jobs in Various Industry Sectors in Geary County

19
 GEARY COUNTY

Agriculture
Average Annual Pay
Mining

$54,637
Utilities
60000
Construction

$46,576
Manufacturing
50000 Wholesale Trade
Retail Trade

$38,258

$36,284
Transportation & Warehousing

$33,535
$33,225

$32,432
40000 Information
Finance and Insurance

$27,670
$25,962
$25,202
$23,326 Real Estate 

$23,098
30000
Professional & Technical Services
$19,344 Management of Companies
Waste Management

$12,040
20000

$10,820
Educational Services
Health Care 
10000 Arts & Entertainment
Accommodation & Food Services
Other Services (except Public Adm)
0
0
0

0 0
Public Administration

Figure 9: Average Wage in Various Industries in Geary County

20
 GEARY COUNTY

Key Industries

Geary County is home to some very well performing industries. These industries may be a part of existing or emerging
clusters. For identifying key industries and clusters, three criteria were used:

1. Location Quotient – Location quotients (LQ) for industries at 6-digit NAICS level were calculated with US industry
employment as a base. The cutoff for LQ was taken as 1.25 (based on previous studies, especially Cortright 2003).

2. Average Wages – Average wages at 6-digit NAICS codes were compared to US average wages. If any industry
has average wages 10% above the US average, it is considered to be a good performing industry.

3. Growth Rate – Growth rates for the employment were calculated over a three year time period from 2003 to 20064;
growth rates above 5% are considered to be an indicator of good industry performance.

Any industry that satisfies one of these three conditions is either a good performing industry or an industry with good
potential for growth. There may or may not be a cluster existing in a region for every good performing industry, but if there
are good performing industries, a cluster may emerge in the near future. (For further details of methodology, please see
Appendix B.)

The industry satisfying all three of the above stated criteria is the News Dealers and Newsstands (NAICS 451212). This
sector has grown by approximately 8.74% over the last three years, and the wages are 159.65% more than the national
average. The location quotient for the sector is 14.17 (Table 11).

Table 11: 6-Digit NAICS Codes with High Wages, Location Quotients and Growth Differentials
Higher Wages Growth Location
NAICS NAICS Definition Establishments Employment Average Wages
than Nation Differentials Quotient
451212 News Dealers and 1 9 $53,668 159.65% 8.74% 14.17
Newsstands
Source: ES202 2006 data, IMPLAN MIG Group

4
There were two reasons for selecting 2003 base year. 1) The numbers were more likely to be free from 9/11 impacts as compared to 2001 or 2002 numbers. 2)
NAICS definitions changed in 2002, so it was very difficult to bridge between 2002 & 1997 codes for some industries.

21
 GEARY COUNTY

Industries with Highest Growth Rates

Most of the industries with high growth rates are local instead of traded5 industries in Geary County. The highest growth
rate is for the Hotels and Motels, except Casino Hotels sector (NAICS 721110) with 119 jobs in 2006. The second highest
growth rate is for Temporary Help Services (NAICS 561320), and this sector had 199 jobs in 2006.

Table 12: Top 10 Industries (6-Digit NAICS) with Highest Growth Rates
Establish- Average Growth
NAICS NAICS Definition Employment Cluster
ments Wages Differentials
721110 Hotels and Motels, except 9 119 $10,186 391.87% Arts, Entertainment, Recreation & Visitor
Casino Hotels Industries
561320 Temporary Help Services 3 199 $20,279 304.80% Local Commercial Services
621420 Outpatient Mental Health 3 52 $27,250 273.25% Biomedical/Biotechnical (Life Sciences)
Centers
532210 Consumer Electronics and 2 34 $21,997 223.96% Local Household Goods & Services
Appliances Rental
811211 Consumer Electronics 1 27 $33,576 200.00% Local Personal Services (Non-Medical)
Repair and Maintenance
442210 Floor Covering Stores 2 86 $23,712 178.06% Local Household Goods & Services
561110 Office Administrative 8 225 $47,733 173.48% Local Commercial Services
Services
524126 Direct Property and 2 15 $10,378 146.62% Business and Financial Services
Casualty Insurers
561621 Security Systems Services 1 146 $24,312 123.94% Defense and Security
(except Locksmiths)
562111 Solid Waste Collection 3 20 $33,434 115.44% Local Utilities
Source: ES202 2006 data, IMPLAN MIG Group

5
Traded industries are defined as the ones exporting their goods and/or services outside their region. Local industries are the ones with all local (within the region)
dealings (Porter 2003).

22
 GEARY COUNTY

Industries with Highest Location Quotient

The sector Meat Processed from Carcasses (NAICS 311612) has the highest LQ in Geary County of 52.85, and this
sector is part of the Agribusiness, Food Processing & Technology cluster. Majority of the industries with high LQ are local
industries as opposed to traded industries.

Table 13: Top 10 Industries (6-Digit NAICS) with Highest Location Quotients
Average Location
NAICS NAICS Definition Establishments Employment Cluster
Wages Quotient
311612 Meat Processed from Carcasses 1 427 $29,546 52.85 Agribusiness, Food Processing and
Technology
561210 Facilities Support Services 4 292 $33,701 32.25 Local Commercial Services
541614 Process, Phys Dist and Log 4 183 $28,450 32.14 Business & Financial Services
Consulting Services Transportation & Logistics
485310 Taxi Service 3 68 $10,878 30.18 Local Logistical Services
811211 Consumer Electronics Repair and 1 27 $33,576 26.91 Local Personal Services (Non-Medical)
Maintenance
812111 Barber Shops 1 22 $20,672 26.36 Local Personal Services (Non-Medical)
811113 Automotive Transmission Repair 1 48 $34,555 26.32 Local Motor Vehicle Products &
Services
561621 Security Systems Services 1 146 $24,312 21.74 Defense and Security
(except Locksmiths)
424520 Livestock Wholesalers 1 27 $8,750 18.01 Agribusiness, Food Processing and
Technology
532210 Consumer Electronics and 2 34 $21,997 15.92 Local Household Goods & Services
Appliances Rental
Source: ES202 2006 data, IMPLAN MIG Group

23
 GEARY COUNTY

Industries with Highest Wages as Compared to National Averages

Hobby, Toy and Game Stores (NAICS 451120) have the highest wages in the county as compared to the nation. This
sector has about 445% more wages than national average wages for the same sector. The Sporting Goods Stores sector
(NAICS 451110) has wages 320% (approx) more than national average wages for the same kind of stores.

Table 14: Top 10 Industries (6-Digit NAICS) with Wages Above National Averages
Wages
Average
NAICS NAICS Definition Establishments Employment Compared Cluster
Wages
to Nation6
451120 Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores 1 1 $81,307 444.95% Local Entertainment & Media
451110 Sporting Goods Stores 1 1 $81,307 320.17% Local Entertainment & Media
524292 Third Party Administration of 0.3 1 $184,169 247.93% Business and Financial Services
Insurance Funds
451212 News Dealers and Newsstands 1 9 $53,668 159.65% Local Entertainment & Media
524291 Claims Adjusting 1 5 $122,779 92.20% Business and Financial Services
448110 Men's Clothing Stores 1 1 $31,765 49.55% Local Retail Clothing & Accessories
336214 Travel Trailer and Camper 1 40 $53,324 44.50% Transportation Equipment
Manufacturing Manufacturing
512131 Motion Picture Theaters, except 1 1 $15,696 44.48% Arts, Entertainment, Recreation &
Drive-Ins Visitor Industries
812191 Diet and Weight Reducing 1 1 $22,926 43.71% Local Personal Services (Non-
Centers Medical)
425120 Wholesale Trade Agents and 5 15 $100,876 41.30% Local Household Goods & Services
Brokers
Source: ES202 2006 data, IMPLAN MIG Group

6
Wages compared to nation – the difference in county & national average wages for a particular industry as a percentage of the national average.

24
 GEARY COUNTY

Shift Share Analysis

Shift share analysis breaks down changes in employment (growth or decline) over a period of time into three components:
national growth share, industry mix share and local share. This analysis is used to account for the competitiveness of a
region’s industries and to analyze the local economic base7.

National Growth Share

This is the share of growth (decline) in local employment that can be attributed to growth (decline) in employment
at the national level.
National Growth Share = Employment in base year * National employment growth rate

Industry Mix Share

This is the growth (decline) in employment in the region that can be attributed to the growth (decline) in that
particular industry at the national level.
Industry Mix Share = Employment in base year *(Industry’s National Growth rate – National employment
growth rate)

Local Share
This is the share of growth (decline) in employment in a region that can be attributed to the competitiveness of a
region.
Local Share = Employment in base year *(Region’s industry growth rate – National Industry growth rate)

The industry with the highest local share in growth is Facilities Support Services (NAICS 561210). The employment in the
sector increased by 235 jobs, and out of that 225 were due to local growth (Table 15). The second highest growth in
employment was in Office Administrative Services (NAICS 561110). In this industry there was a net growth of 214 jobs, of
which 212 were attributable to local growth in the region.

7
Pennstate (2003) Using Employment data to better understand your local economy.

25
 GEARY COUNTY

Table 15: Industries with Highest Local Share of Growth – Shift Share Analysis Geary County
NAICS NAICS Definition Net Growth National Growth Share Industry Mix Share Local Share
561210 Facilities Support Services 235 3 6 226
561110 Office Administrative Services 214 1 2 212
561320 Temporary Help Services 196 0 0 195
561621 Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) 133 1 0 132
721110 Hotels and Motels, except Casino Hotels 118 0 0 118
452910 Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters 191 23 54 115
551114 Corporate, Subsidiary, and Regional Managing 113 2 1 110
Offices
722110 Full-Service Restaurants 124 10 6 108
442110 Furniture Stores 99 1 0 98
238210 Electrical Contractors 96 2 0 94
531311 Residential Property Managers 94 1 1 93
236220 Commercial and Institutional Building Construction 95 4 3 87
442210 Floor Covering Stores 82 0 0 82
722211 Limited-Service Restaurants 105 24 14 67
811121 Automotive Body, Paint, and Interior Repair and 63 1 -1 63
Maintenance
621340 Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech 61 1 3 58
Therapists, and Audiologists
621420 Outpatient Mental Health Centers 51 0 0 51
811111 General Automotive Repair 45 7 -3 42
236115 New Single-Family Housing Construction (except 44 2 4 39
Operative Builders)
532210 Consumer Electronics and Appliances Rental 33 0 0 33
Data Source: ES202 data, IMPLAN MIG group

26
 GEARY COUNTY

Clusters in Geary County

Traded Clusters

A few of the traded clusters in Geary County have growth rates higher than the set criteria value (10.00%). However, none
of the clusters have wages higher than the national average, and only one has LQ higher than the set criterion value
(1.25). The Agribusiness, Food Processing & Technology cluster is the only cluster with LQ higher than the criteria value
of 2.02, but wages are less than national averages and employment has been declining in last three years. The clusters
with high growth rates are the Chemicals & Chemical-based Products, Printing & Publishing, Education & Knowledge
Creation, Information Technology & Telecommunications, Defense & Security and the Energy (Fossil & Renewable)
clusters.

Table 16: Clusters in Geary County

Average Wages
Wages Growth
Cluster Establishments Employment Compared to LQ
Rate
National Average
Advanced Materials 2 17 $51,929 -14.75% -35.72% 0.04
Agribusiness, Food Processing & Technology 10 491 $28,088 -17.85% -5.13% 2.02
Apparel & Textiles 3 N N N N N
Arts, Entertainment, Recreation & Visitor 20 253 $15,188 -53.68% 0.40% 0.72
Industries
Biomedical/Biotechnical (Life Sciences) 14 337 $20,193 -51.82% -6.17% 0.40
Business & Financial Services 76.6 528 $31,285 -58.84% 2.17% 0.62
Chemicals & Chemical-based Products 2 17 $34,423 -37.92% 28.56% 0.10
Computer & Electronic Product Manufacturing 0 0 N N N N
Defense & Security 19 233 $27,194 -58.62% 13.82% 0.78
Education & Knowledge Creation 6.6 96 $20,177 -53.96% 27.79% 0.58
Electrical Equipment, Appliance and Component 0 0 N N N N
Energy (Fossil & Renewable) 51 384 $29,247 -51.06% 12.04% 0.69
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing 0 0 N N N N
Forest & Wood Products 5.3 34 $28,323 -29.06% -7.53% 0.18
Glass & Ceramics 0 0 N N N N

27
 GEARY COUNTY

Information Technology & Telecommunications 30 223 $46,223 -38.90% 21.28% 0.50

Machinery Manufacturing 0 0 N N N N
Mining 1 0 N N N N
Primary Metal Manufacturing 0 0 N N N N
Printing & Publishing 3 113 $23,273 -55.37% 27.91% 0.62
Transportation & Logistics 24.3 293 $27,141 -36.61% -33.18% 1.01
Transportation Equipment Manufacturing 2 57 $52,710 -13.21% -17.36% 0.45
Total All Industries 604 8216 $24,042 -43.30% 3.63% 1.00
Data Source: ES202 data, IMPLAN MIG group
Highlighted cell represent values higher than specified criteria values

Transp Equip 
Mfg LQ for various Clusters
5% Advanced Materials
Transportation  0%
& Logistics
12%

Agribusiness
Printing & Publishing 23%
7%

IT & Telecom Arts & 
6% Entertainment
Glass & Ceramics 8%
0%
Energy 
Forest & Wood  8% Biomedical
Products
5%
2%
Business & Financial 
Edu & Knowledge  Services
Creation Defense & Security Chemicals  7%
7% 9% 1%

Figure 10: Location Quotients for Various Clusters in Geary County

28
 GEARY COUNTY

Figure 11: Traded Clusters in Geary County

29
 GEARY COUNTY

Figure 12: Traded Cluster Location Quotients for Geary County

30
 GEARY COUNTY

Local Clusters

The only cluster with wages above the national average wage is the Local Entertainment & Medial cluster with wages
35% (approx) higher than national average wages. The highest growth rate is for the Local Utilities and the Local
Commercial Services clusters. The highest LQ is 3.83 for the Local Logistical Services cluster. Other local clusters with
high LQ are Local Utilities and Local food and Beverage Processing & Distribution.

Table 17: Local Clusters in Geary County

Average Wages
Wages Growth
Cluster Establishments Employment Compared to LQ
Rate
National Average
Local Commercial Services 41 1109 $33,821 -18.46% 24.69% 1.80
Local Community & Civic Organizations 11 55 $8,142 -73.11% -6.37% 0.52
Local Education & Training 0 0 N N N N
Local Entertainment & Media 7 50 $33,336 35.09% -3.13% 0.73
Local Financial Services 12 151 $29,256 -42.87% 2.07% 1.04
Local Food and Beverages Processing & 19 975 $15,518 -38.85% 1.33% 2.57
Distribution
Local Health Services 32.3 252 $30,330 -36.83% -0.26% 0.65
Local Hospitality Establishments 58 1099 $9,788 -31.25% 12.54% 1.57
Local Household Goods & Services 38.3 473 $21,062 -44.35% 21.15% 1.26
Local Industrial Products & Services 1 2 $20,068 -62.71% 0.00% 0.05
Local Logistical Services 6 150 $11,982 -57.52% -6.58% 3.83
Local Motor Vehicle Products & Services 40 552 $30,765 -16.41% 4.48% 2.52
Local Personal Services (Non-Medical) 32 243 $21,150 -14.03% 14.24% 1.43
Local Real Estate, Construction & Development 63 388 $32,361 -33.19% 17.86% 1.40
Local Retail Clothing & Accessories 11 745 $14,896 -25.31% 3.60% 2.28
Local Utilities 4 78 $40,031 -10.40% 54.87% 2.62
Data Source: ES202 data, IMPLAN MIG group
Highlighted cell represent values higher than specified criteria values

31
 GEARY COUNTY

Figure 13: Local Clusters in Geary County

32