Wabaunsee County

North Central Kansas County Profiles

2008

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
 WABAUNSEE COUNTY

Section I
Overview of Wabaunsee County

Wabaunsee 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
Alma.

2
 WABAUNSEE COUNTY

County Profile - Wabaunsee County, KS

Wabaunsee County is one of the 105 counties in the state of Kansas. The 2007
populations estimate lists the population to be 6,870. According to 2000 estimates, it
has 797.38 square miles in land area and a population density of 8.6 people per square
mile. The average household size is 2.57 persons (2000), and median household
income is $44,997 (2004) (US census Bureau).

Population Estimates

Wabaunsee County has a population of 6,870 as of July 1, 2007 (US Census Bureau).
The population decreased by 0.22% from the year 2000 to 2007. As per the 2000
census survey, population of the county was 6,885 with median age of 39.5 years. In
2000, Wabaunsee County had 21.2% of its population under the age of 15 years, 21.8%
in the age group 15 to 34 years, 36.7% in the age group 35 years to 59 years and
20.3% of its population above 60 years of age.

Table 1: Population Estimates for Wabaunsee County

Year Ending Wabaunsee County Kansas
Population Estimates
July 1,2007 6,870 2,775,997
July 1,2006 6,735 2,755,817
July 1,2005 6,804 2,741,665
July 1,2004 6,730 2,730,828
July 1,2003 6,692 2,721,824
July 1,2002 6,708 2,712,383
July 1,2001 6,781 2,700,979
July 1,2000 6,873 2,692,890
Census 2000 April 1,2000 6,885 2,688,418
2000 to 2007% change -0.22% 3.26%
1990 to 2000 % change 4.3% 8.5%
Source: US Census Bureau

3
 WABAUNSEE COUNTY

3,000,000

2,500,000

2,000,000

1,500,000
Kansas
1,000,000

500,000
14,000
12,000
10,000
8,000
6,000
4,000
Wabaunsee 
2,000
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 3,485 50.62%
Female 3,400 49.38%
Under 5 years 428 6.22%
5 to 9 years 461 6.70%
10 to 14 years 571 8.29%
15 to 19 years 543 7.89%
20 to 24 years 263 3.82%
25 to 34 years 697 10.12%
35 to 44 years 1,141 16.57%
45 to 54 years 996 14.47%
55 to 59 years 388 5.64%
60 to 64 years 324 4.71%
65 to 74 years 576 8.37%
75 to 84 years 363 5.27%
85 years and over 134 1.95%
Source: US Census Bureau

4
 WABAUNSEE COUNTY

Household Income

Median household income for Wabaunsee County is $47,231 which is 10.20% higher
than the state median income. The median household income had declined by 3.40%
from 1999 to 2005, but that rate is far less than the rate state median income has
declined at 9.9%

Table 3: Median Income in Wabaunsee County

Median Income Wabaunsee Kansas
Median household income in 2005 $47,231 $42,861
Median household income in 1999 (adj. for inflation1) $48,895 $47622
5-year percent change 2000 to 2005 -3.40% -9.9%
Source: USDA ERS (www.ers.usda.gov) and US Census Bureau

$50,000  $48,895 
$47,231  $47,622 
$48,000 
$46,000 
$44,000  $42,861  Wabaunsee
$42,000  Kansas
$40,000 
$38,000 
Median household income in 2005 Median household income in 1999

Figure 2: Median Income in Wabaunsee County and Kansas

Poverty Rates

The current poverty rate for Wabaunsee County is less than that of the state. In 2000,
Wabaunsee County’s poverty rate was 7.2% which increased to 8.0% in 2007. The
poverty rate for Kansas in the same period went from 8.9% to 11.7%.

Table 4: Poverty Estimates for Wabaunsee County

5-Year %
Poverty Estimates Wabaunsee Kansas
Change
Poverty rate in 2007 8.0 -- 11.7
In 2000 7.2 11.1% 8.9
Poverty rate for children under 18 in 2007 10.1 -- 15.2
In 2000 9.9 2.0% 11.9
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
 WABAUNSEE COUNTY

Labor Force

Wabaunsee County’s current unemployment rate is 3.8% which is less than the state
rate of 4.1%. The total labor force for the county declined by 1.4% in the last five years.
The total employed labor force declined by 1.3% in last five years, but along with that
the unemployed labor force also declined by 2.1% in the last five years.

Table 5: Labor Force Annual Averages for Wabaunsee County

Labor Force Annual Averages in 2007 Wabaunsee County Kansas
Total Labor Force 3,673 1,478,781
5-year % change -1.4% 3.8%
10-year % change 7.5% 6.9%
Employed 3,532 1,418,666
5-year % change -1.3% 5.0%
10-year % change 8.6% 6.7%
Unemployed 141 60,115
5-year % change -2.1% -17.8%
10-year % change -14.0% 12.0%
Unemployment Rate 3.8 4.1
5-year % change -2.6% -19.6%
10-year % change -20.8% 5.1%
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics (Downloaded from www.stats.indiana.edu)

4%

Employed
Unemployed

96%

Figure 3: Employed and Unemployed Labor Force in Wabaunsee County

6
 WABAUNSEE COUNTY

Educational Attainment

About ninety percent of the population above the age of 25 has at least a high school
degree. 23% of the population above the age of twenty-five had some college
education, and 21.5% hold some kind of college degree.

Table 6: Educational Attainment – Wabaunsee County

Percent of Percent of
Educational Attainment: Census 2000 Wabaunsee Population Kansas Population
25+ 25+
Total Population 25 and Older 4,623 100.00% 1,701,207 100.0%
Less Than 9th Grade 223 4.82% 88,124 5.2%
9th to 12th, No Diploma 242 5.23% 149,675 8.8%
High School Graduate (incl. equiv.) 2,104 45.51% 507,612 29.8%
Some College, No Degree 1,061 22.95% 417,722 24.6%
Associate Degree 192 4.15% 99,096 5.8%
Bachelor's Degree 554 11.98% 290,271 17.1%
Graduate or Professional Degree 247 5.34% 148,707 8.7%
Source: US Census Bureau

100%
5.34% 8.70%
90% Graduate or Professional 
11.98%
17.10% Degree
80% 4.15%
Bachelor's Degree
70% 5.80%
22.95%
60% Associate Degree
24.60%
50% Some College, No Degree
40%
30% 45.51% High School Graduate (incl. 
29.80%
equiv.)
20% 9th to 12th, No Diploma
10% 5.23% 8.80%
0% 4.82% 5.20% Less Than 9th Grade
Wabaunsee Kansas

Figure 4: Educational Attainment – Wabaunsee County

7
 WABAUNSEE COUNTY

Workers Commuting to Work

More than sixty-four percent of the labor force commutes to some other county for work.
The maximum outflow of workers from Wabaunsee County is to Shawnee County
(1,267 workers i.e. about 37% of workers commute to Shawnee County for work).
Another 342 workers commute to Pottawatomie county and 328 commute to Riley
County for work.

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

Workers Living in County in Pct Dist. Pct Dist.
Wabaunsee Kansas
2000 in County in State
Total 3,444 100.00% 1,310,746 100.0%
Working in County 1,225 35.57% 1,214,739 92.7%
Working Elsewhere 2,219 64.43% 96,007 7.3%
Jefferson County, CO 4 0.12% - -
Davis County, IA 2 0.06% - -
Butler County, KS 2 0.06% - -
Dickinson County, KS 13 0.38% - -
Douglas County, KS 19 0.55% - -
Franklin County, KS 2 0.06% - -
Geary County, KS 14 0.41% - -
Jackson County, KS 9 0.26% - -
Johnson County, KS 19 0.55% - -
Leavenworth County, KS 4 0.12% - -
Lyon County, KS 35 1.02% - -
Marion County, KS 1 0.03% - -
Marshall County, KS 2 0.06% - -
Miami County, KS 3 0.09% - -
Mitchell County, KS 2 0.06% - -
Montgomery County, KS 3 0.09% - -
Morris County, KS 63 1.83% - -
Nemaha County, KS 3 0.09% - -
Osage County, KS 34 0.99% - -
Pottawatomie County, KS 342 9.93% - -
Riley County, KS 328 9.52% - -
Sedgwick County, KS 4 0.12% - -
Shawnee County, KS 1,267 36.79% - -
Wyandotte County, KS 10 0.29% - -
Cass County, MO 5 0.15% - -
Clay County, MO 7 0.20% - -
Jackson County, MO 11 0.32% - -
Jasper County, MO 3 0.09% - -
CHINA 8 0.23% - -
Source: US Census Bureau (Includes only workers over 16 years old)

8
 WABAUNSEE COUNTY

– less than 1% of residence county population commutes

– less than 5% of residence county population commutes
– less than 10% of residence county population commutes
– less than 20% of residence county population commutes
– more than 20% of residence county population commutes

Figure 5: Workers Commute from Wabaunsee County

9
 WABAUNSEE COUNTY

The maximum inflow of workers to Wabaunsee County is from Shawnee County.

Around 101 workers commute to Wabaunsee County from Shawnee County for work,
and 88 come from Pottawatomie County. In total 331 workers commute to Wabaunsee
County for work.

Table 8: People Working in Wabaunsee County

People Working in County in Pct Dist. Pct Dist.
Wabaunsee Kansas
2000 in County in State
Total 1,556 100.00% 1,317,070 100.0%
Living in County 1,225 78.72% 1,214,739 92.2%
Living Elsewhere 331 21.28% 102,331 7.8%
Navajo Co. AZ 3 - - -
Brown County, KS 1 - - -
Chase County, KS 7 - - -
Douglas County, KS 20 - - -
Ford County, KS 7 - - -
Jackson County, KS 6 - - -
Jefferson County, KS 4 - - -
Lyon County, KS 18 - - -
Morris County, KS 37 - - -
Osage County, KS 16 - - -
Pottawatomie County, KS 88 - - -
Riley County, KS 19 - - -
Rush County, KS 4 - - -
Shawnee County, KS 101 - - -
Source: US Census Bureau (Includes only workers over 16 years old.)

10
 WABAUNSEE COUNTY

– less than 1% of residence county population commutes

– less than 5% of residence county population commutes
– less than 10% of residence county population commutes
– less than 20% of residence county population commutes
– more than 20% of residence county population commutes

Figure 6: Workers Commuting to Wabaunsee County

11
 Section – II
Industry Analysis
 WABAUNSEE COUNTY

Industry Analysis

Industry Totals for Wabaunsee County

Industry employment increased by about forty percent from 1990 to 2007 in Wabaunsee County. Average pay (after
adjusting for inflation) has increased by 25.13%, and the number of establishments in the same period increased by
around 10.76% (a net increase of 17 establishments).

Table 9: Annual Covered Employment & Wages2 Over Time (NAICS) – Wabaunsee County
Average Pay in Terms of
Year Establishments Employment Average Annual Pay
20073 Dollars (adj*)
1990 158 1083 $12,885 $20,441
1991 151 1048 $13,461 $20,492
1992 152 1066 $13,240 $19,567
1993 155 1083 $14,293 $20,509
1994 153 1118 $14,888 $20,829
1995 152 1155 $16,515 $22,469
1996 158 1193 $16,749 $22,134
1997 162 1214 $16,268 $21,016
1998 168 1250 $17,175 $21,847
1999 167 1309 $17,810 $22,165

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 were calculated using the CPI inflation calculator available at the 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).

13
 WABAUNSEE COUNTY

Average Pay in Terms of

Year Establishments Employment Average Annual Pay
20073 Dollars (adj*)
2000 158 1310 $18,536 $22,319
2001 155 1463 $19,813 $23,196
2002 156 1318 $20,347 $23,451
2003 154 1319 $19,702 $22,201
2004 152 1327 $21,937 $24,079
2005 157 1401 $22,146 $23,512
2006 166 1450 $22,860 $23,511
2007 175 1519 $25,578 $25,578
Change from 1990 to 2007 17 436 12693 5137.28
Percent change from 1990 to 2007 10.76% 40.26% 98.51% 25.13%
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) *adj = Adjusted for Inflation.

14
 WABAUNSEE COUNTY

Establishments 

175
180

168

167

166
170

162
158

158

158

157
156
155

155

154
153
160

152

152

152
151
150

140

130
Jobs
2000

1519
1463

1450
1401
1327
1319
1318
1310
1309
1250
1214
1193
1155
1118
1500
1083

1083
1066
1048

1000

500

$25,578
$24,079
Average Annual Pay (adjusted)

$23,512

$23,511
$23,451
$23,196
$22,469

$22,319

$22,201
$22,165
$22,134

$21,847
$21,016
$20,829

$30,000
$20,509
$20,492
$20,441

$19,567

$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
15
 WABAUNSEE COUNTY

Jobs and Average Wages by Industry

Educational Services is the largest sector in Wabaunsee County in terms of employment with 253 jobs. The highest paid
jobs are in the Other Services (except Public Administration) sector with annual average wages of $52,237. The maximum
number of establishments is in the Construction sector. Other high wage paying sectors are: Wholesale Trade (annual
average wages of $36,793) and Transportation and Warehousing (annual average wages of $32,924).

Table 10: Industry Distribution of Establishments, Jobs, and Average Wages – Wabaunsee County
Industry Distribution of Establishments, Jobs & Average Wages (2007) Establishments Jobs Annual Average Wage
Total Covered Employment and Wages 175 1519 $25,578
Private 128 1004 $27,573
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting 5 N N
Mining 2 N N
Utilities 2 N N
Construction 36 156 $25,722
Manufacturing 11 156 $25,685
Wholesale Trade 11 29 $36,793
Retail Trade 12 66 $17,048
Transportation and Warehousing 14 46 $32,924
Information 4 6 $22,039
Finance and Insurance 9 58 $31,027
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 4 5 $10,397
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 7 N N
Management of Companies and Enterprises NA NA NA
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services 7 N N
Educational Services 5 253 $24,268
Health Care and Social Assistance 4 104 $18,733
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 1 N N
Accommodation and Food Services 7 N N
Other Services (except Public Administration) 8 92 $52,237
Public Administration 26 167 $15,048
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) N – Non-disclosed, NA- Not Applicable

16
 WABAUNSEE COUNTY

Establishments Jobs

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting Mining
Utilities Construction
Manufacturing Wholesale Trade
Retail Trade Transportation and Warehousing
Information Finance and Insurance
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Management of Companies and Enterprises Waste Management and Remediation Services
Educational Services Health Care and Social Assistance
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation Accommodation and Food Services
Other Services (except Public Administration) Public Administration

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

17
 WABAUNSEE COUNTY

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

$52,237
$60,000
Mining
Utilities
Construction
$50,000
Manufacturing
Wholesale Trade

$36,793
Retail Trade

$32,924
$40,000

$31,027
Transportation and Warehousing

$30,167
$25,722 Information
$25,685

$24,268
Finance and Insurance
$30,000

$22,039
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing

$18,733
$17,048 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Management of Companies and Enterprises
$20,000
Waste Management and Remediation Services

$10,397
Educational Services
Health Care and Social Assistance
$10,000
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
Accommodation and Food Services
$0
$0
$0

$0
$0
$0

$0
$0
Other Services (except Public Administration)
$0
Public Administration

Figure 9: Average Wages in Various Industries in Wabaunsee County

18
 WABAUNSEE COUNTY

Key Industries

Wabaunsee 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.

The industry satisfying all three of the above stated criteria is the General Automotive Repair Sector (NAICS 811111).
This sector has grown by approximately 42% over the last three years, and the wages are 24.27% more than the national
average. The location quotient for the sector is 6.74(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
811111 General Automotive
Repair 3 18 $39,573 24.27% 44.22% 6.74
Source: ES202 2006 data, IMPLAN MIG Group

4
There were two reasons for selecting the 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.

19
 WABAUNSEE COUNTY

Industries with Highest Growth Rates

Business Associations has the highest growth rate in the county. This sector has a growth rate of 223.96% and is a part of
the Local Community & Civic Organizations cluster. Nursing Care Facilities also has a high growth rate in the county of
153.72%. The Wood Kitchen Cabinet and Countertop Manufacturing sector and the Framing Contractors sector are both
a part of the Forest and Wood Products cluster and have high growth rates.

Table 12: Top 10 Industries (6-digit NAICS) with Highest Growth Rates
Average Growth
NAICS NAICS Definition Establishments Employment Cluster
Wages Differentials
Local Community & Civic
813910 Business Associations 1 34 $14,867 223.96%
Organizations
623110 Nursing Care Facilities 1 98 $16,451 153.72% Biomedical/Biotechnical (Life Sciences)
Wood Kitchen Cabinet and
337110 2 4 $25,716 58.74% Forest and Wood Products
Countertop Manufacturing
238130 Framing Contractors 1 26 $20,308 54.87% Forest and Wood Products
561320 Temporary Help Services 1 171 $18,016 50.66% Local Commercial Services
Agribusiness, Food Processing and
112 Animal Production 4 54 $19,411 50.00%
Technology
Local Motor Vehicle Products &
811111 General Automotive Repair 3 18 $39,573 44.22%
Services
Offices of Real Estate Agents Local Real Estate, Construction &
531210 2 3 $16,100 44.22%
and Brokers Development
Other Specialized Trucking,
484220 2 10 $36,722 35.72% Transportation & Logistics
Local
Meat Processed From Agribusiness, Food Processing and
311612 3 88 $32,324 27.96%
Carcasses Technology
Source: ES202 2006 data, IMPLAN MIG Group

20
 WABAUNSEE COUNTY

Industries with highest Location Quotient

The sector Meat Processed from Carcasses (NAICS 311612) has the highest LQ of 94.40 in Wabaunsee County. This
sector is a part of the Agribusiness, Food Processing & Technology cluster. The Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing sector
(NAICS 332322) has an LQ of 68.62 and is a part of both the Advanced Materials Cluster and the Fabricated Metal
Product Manufacturing cluster.

Table 13: Top 10 Industries (6-digit NAICS) with Highest Location Quotients
Average Location
NAICS NAICS Definition Establishments Employment Cluster
Wages Quotient
Agribusiness, Food Processing and
311612 Meat Processed from Carcasses 3 88 $32,324 94.40
Technology
Advanced Materials
332322 Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing 1 62 $34,798 68.62 Fabricated Metal Product
Manufacturing
Cut Stone and Stone Product Chemicals and Chemical-based
327991 1 10 $18,706 39.24
Manufacturing Products
Local Community & Civic
813910 Business Associations 1 34 $14,867 33.56
Organizations
Local Community & Civic
624210 Community Food Services 1 7 $14,500 31.87 Organizations
Local Health Services
Agribusiness, Food Processing and
112 Animal Production 4 54 $19,411 29.79
Technology
Dimension Stone Mining and
212311 1 2 $28,189 29.37 Mining
Quarrying
Arts, Entertainment, Recreation &
711320 Promoters without Facilities 1 4 $8,114 22.87
Visitor Industries
Advanced Materials
Vitreous China, Fine
Chemicals and Chemical-based
327112 Earthenware, and Other Pottery 1 2 $12,812 22.08
Products
Product Manufacturing
Glass and Ceramics
238130 Framing Contractors 1 26 $20,308 18.99 Forest and Wood Products
Source: ES202 2006 data, IMPLAN MIG Group

21
 WABAUNSEE COUNTY

Industries with Highest Wages as Compared to National Averages

The county’s Insurance Agencies and Brokerages sector (NAICS 524210) has average wages around 87.26% higher than
the national averages. The sector is a part of the Business and Financial Services cluster. Other sectors with wages
higher than the national averages include the Automotive Body, Paint, and Interior Repair and Maintenance sector and
the General Automotive Repair sector, both being part of the Local Motor Vehicle Products & Services cluster.

Table 14: Top 10 Industries (6-digit NAICS) with Wages above National Averages
Wages
Average
NAICS NAICS Definition Establishments Employment Compared Cluster
Wages
to Nation5
524210 Insurance Agencies and Brokerages 2 7 $107,431 87.26% Business and Financial Services
Automotive Body, Paint, and Interior Local Motor Vehicle Products &
811121 1 1 $59,775 62.10%
Repair and Maintenance Services
561720 Janitorial Services 2 1 $27,630 60.90% Local Commercial Services
722211 Limited-Service Restaurants 1 5 $17,984 50.81% Local Hospitality Establishments
Local Motor Vehicle Products &
811111 General Automotive Repair 3 18 $39,573 24.27%
Services
Commercial and Industrial Machinery
and Equipment (except Automotive Local Personal Services (Non-
811310 2 6 $48,427 10.06%
and Electronic) Repair and Medical)
Maintenance
Source: ES202 2006 data, IMPLAN MIG Group

5
Wages compared to nation – the difference in county & national average wages for a particular industry as a percentage of the national average.

22
 WABAUNSEE 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 base6.

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 Temporary Help Services (NAICS 561320). The employment in the
sector increased by 121, and 111 of those jobs were due to local growth (Table 15). The second highest growth in
employment was in Nursing Care Facilities. In this industry, there was a net growth of 92 jobs, all of which were
attributable to local growth in the region.

6
Pennstate (2003) Using Employment data to better understand your local economy.

23
 WABAUNSEE COUNTY

Table 15: Industries with Highest Local Share of Growth – Shift Share Analysis Wabaunsee County
NAICS NAICS Definition Net Growth National Growth Share Industry Mix Share Local Share
561320 Temporary Help Services 121 3 8 111
623110 Nursing Care Facilities 92 0 0 92
311612 Meat Processed from Carcasses 46 2 -2 46
112 Animal Production 38 1 0 37
813910 Business Associations 33 0 0 33
238130 Framing Contractors 19 0 1 18
811111 General Automotive Repair 12 0 0 12
238320 Painting and Wall Covering Contractors 8 1 1 7
484220 Other Specialized Trucking, Local 6 0 0 6
484121 General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance TL 4 0 0 4
722110 Full-Service Restaurants 5 1 1 3
337110 Wood Kitchen Cabinet and Countertop 3 0 0 3
236115 New Single-Family Housing Construction (except 4 0 1 3
Operative Builders)
424910 Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers 2 1 -1 2
492110 Couriers 2 0 0 2
531210 Offices of Real Estate Agents and Brokers 2 0 0 2
327112 Vitreous China, Fine Earthenware, and Other 1 0 0 1
Pottery Product Manufacturing
624210 Community Food Services 1 0 -1 1
447110 Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores 1 1 -1 1
484110 General Freight Trucking, Local 1 0 0 1
Data Source: ES202 data, IMPLAN MIG group

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 WABAUNSEE COUNTY

Clusters in Wabaunsee County

Traded Clusters

The cluster with the highest LQ is the Agribusiness, Food Processing & Technology cluster. The cluster has an LQ of 5.79
and a growth rate of 27.05%, but wages are less than the national average. The Forest & Wood Products cluster is
another cluster with both high LQ and growth rate. The LQ for the cluster is 1.44, and its growth rate is 47.36%. However,
wages are considerably less than the rest of the nation. Investments into these sectors should be considered to make
them more competitive.

Table 16: Clusters in Wabaunsee County

Average Wages
Wages Growth
Cluster Establishments Employment Compared to LQ
Rate
National Average
Advanced Materials 3 64 $34,196 -43.86% 1.61% 1.38
Agribusiness, Food Processing & Technology 13 162 $27,830 -18.61% 27.05% 5.79
Apparel & Textiles 1 1 $29,546 -24.24% N 0.09
Arts, Entertainment, Recreation & Visitor Industries 1 4 $8,114 -75.26% -45.71% 0.10
Biomedical/Biotechnical (Life Sciences) 4 104 $16,778 -59.96% -1.25% 1.07
Business & Financial Services 15 20 $56,940 -25.09% 3.57% 0.20
Chemicals & Chemical-based Products 4 16 $16,495 -70.25% 100.00% 0.79
Computer & Electronic Product Manufacturing 0 0 N N N 0.00
Defense & Security 1 0 N N -100.00% 0.00
Education & Knowledge Creation 1 2 $23,503 -46.37% -12.64% 0.11
Electrical Equipment, Appliance and Component 0 0 N N N 0.00
Manufacturing
Energy (Fossil & Renewable) 12 48 $18,623 -68.84% -16.01% 0.75
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing 1 62 $34,798 -20.80% 1.67% 4.90
Forest & Wood Products 5 32 $21,153 -47.02% 47.36% 1.44
Glass & Ceramics 1 2 $12,812 -69.96% 25.99% 0.73
Information Technology & Telecommunications 3 7 $31,440 -58.44% -11.21% 0.14
Machinery Manufacturing 1 1 $24,896 -54.09% 0.00% 0.10

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 WABAUNSEE COUNTY

Mining 1 2 $28,189 -49.73% 0.00% 0.75

Primary Metal Manufacturing 0 0 N N N 0.00
Printing & Publishing 3 3 $27,342 -47.57% -9.14% 0.14
Transportation & Logistics 9 27 $36,908 -13.80% 27.59% 0.81
Transportation Equipment Manufacturing 0 0 N N N 0.00
Total All Industries 127 948 $23,681 -44.16% 4.24% 1.00
Data Source: ES202 data, IMPLAN MIG group
Highlighted cell represent values higher than specified criteria values

Transportation & 
Mining Printing &  Logistics
Machinery  0.75
Publishing 0.81
Manufacturing 
0.14
0.10
IT & Telecom Advanced Materials
0.14 Glass & Ceramics 1.38
0.73
Forest & Wood 
Products
1.44
Agribusiness
5.79
Fabricated Metal 
Prod Mfg Apparel & Textiles
4.90 0.09
Arts & 
Entertainment
0.10
Business &  Biomedical/Biotech
Energy (Fossil  Education &  Financial  nical (Life Sciences)
Chemicals 
& Renewable) Knowledge Creation Services 1.07
0.79
0.75 0.11 0.20

Figure 10: Location Quotients for Various Clusters in Wabaunsee County

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 WABAUNSEE COUNTY

Figure 11: Traded Clusters in Wabaunsee County

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 WABAUNSEE COUNTY

Figure 12: Traded Cluster Location Quotients for Wabaunsee County

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 WABAUNSEE COUNTY

Local Clusters

The Local Community & Civic Organizations cluster has both a high LQ and growth rate. The cluster has an LQ of 3.38
and a growth rate of 80.26%, but wages are less than the national averages. The Local Commercial Services cluster also
has both high LQ of 2.42 and high growth rate of 19.81%. The cluster with wages higher than the national average is the
Local Personal Services (Non-Medical) cluster with wages 102.67% more than the national average.

Table 17: Local Clusters in Wabaunsee County

Average Wages
Wages Growth
Cluster Establishments Employment Compared to LQ
Rate
National Average
Local Commercial Services 3.3 172 $18,086 -56.39% 19.81% 2.42
Local Community & Civic Organizations 2 41 $14,804 -51.12% 80.26% 3.38
Local Education & Training 0 0 N N N 0.00
Local Entertainment & Media 0 0 N N N 0.00
Local Financial Services 5 54 $31,149 -39.18% -1.20% 3.24
Local Food and Beverages Processing & 4 21 $7,790 -69.30% -13.99% 0.48
Distribution
Local Health Services 1 7 $14,500 -69.80% 5.27% 0.16
Local Hospitality Establishments 7 34 $8,357 -41.30% -10.86% 0.42
Local Household Goods & Services 12 37 $25,846 -31.71% -20.27% 0.86
Local Industrial Products & Services 1 4 $49,414 -8.18% N 0.88
Local Logistical Services 0 0 N N N 0.00
Local Motor Vehicle Products & Services 4 19 $40,636 10.41% 1.82% 0.75
Local Personal Services (Non-Medical) 3 6 $49,859 102.67% -5.01% 0.31
Local Real Estate, Construction & Development 13 33 $25,371 -47.62% -12.93% 1.03
Local Retail Clothing & Accessories 0 0 N N N 0.00
Local Utilities 1 3 $25,029 -43.98% -15.66% 0.87
Data Source: ES202 data, IMPLAN MIG group
Highlighted cell represent values higher than specified criteria values

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 WABAUNSEE COUNTY

Figure 13: Local Clusters in Wabaunsee County

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