Northern Regional

Community Fact Book

Hunterdon County Edition

New Jersey Department of Labor

and Workforce Development

Division of Labor Market and

Demographic Research

June 2006
 Preface

T he Regional Community Fact Book for Hunterdon County provides a

snapshot of its people and its economy. Included are facts and fig-
ures on current industry trends, population, unemployment and income. The
Fact Book also provides a look into the future and provides the latest popu-
lation, labor force, industry and occupational projections.

The Regional Community Fact Book series is meant to be a reference

for use in local and regional economic development planning and for employ-
ment and training providers. Fact Books will be published annually for New
Jersey’s 21 counties, grouped into three regions (northern, central and
southern).

Acknowledgements

T his publication was prepared by JoAnne Caramelo, Ganga Sivakumar

and Patricia McKendrick of the Bureau of Labor Market Informa-
tion, Division of Labor Market and Demographic Research. Layout was done
by Chester S. Chinsky.

Questions regarding information contained in this publication should be

directed to Ganga Sivakumar by phone at (973) 877-1430 or by e-mail:
ganga.sivakumar@dol.state.nj.us.

To obtain copies of this publication or other county editions, please

contact Lester Wright by phone at (609) 292-7567 or by e-mail:
lester.wright @dol.state.nj.us.
 Table of Contents

County Snapshot .................................................................................... 1

Industry Trends, Hunterdon vs. New Jersey ............................... 2

Employment ............................................................................................ 5

Employment Gains and Losses ........................................................... 6

Wages ...................................................................................................... 7

Per Capita Personal Income ............................................................... 8

Unemployment Rates ........................................................................... 8

Characteristics of the Unemployed ................................................. 9

Population ...............................................................................................10

Population Projections ......................................................................... 11

Industry Projections ...........................................................................12

Projected Occupational Demand.......................................................13

Labor Force Projections .....................................................................14

 County Snapshot
Northern Region
Population (July 1, 2005 estimate): 130,404
Change from Census 2000: +8,415 or + 6.9%
Sussex Passaic Percent of New Jersey Total: 1.5%

Bergen
Total Private Sector
Warren
Morris Employment (2004): 40,605
Essex
Percent of New Jersey Total: 1.2%
Hudson Change from 1999: +2,211
Union
Hunterdon
Largest Industry (2004): Retail Trade
Retail Trade Employment: 6,532
Percent of Total County Employment: 16.1%

Private Sector Wage (2004 annual average): $51,678

Percent of New Jersey Average: 108.5%
Change From 1999: +$6,697

Industry With Highest Average Annual

Wage (2004): Management of Companies & Enterprises: $149,243

Per Capita Personal Income (2004): $59,384

Percent of New Jersey Per Capita Income: 142.6%

Number of Unemployment Insurance Claimants (2005 annual average)

average): 801

Unemployment Rate (2005 annual average): 3.0%

5-year High (2003): 4.2%
5-year Low (2001): 2.8%
New Jersey Rate (2005): 4.4%

Building Permits (single-family residential,2005): 506

Rank Among New Jersey Counties: 20

Hunterdon County Community Fact Book 1

 Industry Trends, Hunterdon vs. New Jersey
∑ Over the 1999-2004 period, private sector payrolls in Hunterdon County increased 5.8
percent, compared with the state’s 0.7 percent gain. In the county, more than 85
percent of this growth occurred between 2003 and 2004. Most of this job growth was
in the financial activities sector, which includes banks and insurance companies. The
sector has benefited from an improved national economy, a growing number of banks
opening branches and several large insurance companies having offices in the county.

∑ The sectors that posted the most job gains were financial activities (+1,340), construc-
tion (+950), education and health services (+820), and leisure and hospitality (+690).
Much of the increase in these sectors was the result of population expansion. Hunterdon
County has become popular with commuters and young families and is within an hour and
half or less drive from major employment centers to the east, including Morris, Essex
and Hudson counties in New Jersey and in New York City.

∑ Over the five-year period, lower demand for temporary help and plant closings were
some reasons for the loss of jobs in professional and business services (-650) and in
manufacturing (-560), respectively.

∑ Employment in trade, transportation and utilities, information, and other services re-
mained little changed during the period.

Note: Use of an index facilitates comparison between two separate data elements.

Hunterdon County and New Jersey Hunterdon County and New Jersey
Total Private Sector Employment: 1999-2004 Construction Employment: 1999-2004
108 150

140
106

130
104
120
102
110

100
100
(1999=100) (1999=100)
98 90
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Hunterdon New Jersey Hunterdon New Jersey

2 New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development

 Industry Trends, Hunterdon vs. New Jersey

Hunterdon County and New Jersey Hunterdon County and New Jersey
Manufacturing Employment: 1999-2004 Trade, Transportation & Utilities Employment: 1999-2004
105 110

100
105
95

90 100

85
95
80
(1999=100) (1999=100)
75 90
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Hunterdon New Jersey Hunterdon New Jersey

Hunterdon County and New Jersey Hunterdon County and New Jersey
Information Employment: 1999-2004 Financial Activities Employment: 1999-2004
120 175

110
150

100
125
90

100
80
(1999=100) (1999=100)
70 75
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Hunterdon New Jersey Hunterdon New Jersey

Hunterdon County Community Fact Book 3

 Industry Trends, Hunterdon vs. New Jersey
Hunterdon County and New Jersey Hunterdon County and New Jersey
Professional & Business Services Employment: 1999-2004 Education & Health Services Employment: 1999-2004
110 125

120
105
115

100 110

105
95
100
(1999=100)
(1999=100)
90 95
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Hunterdon New Jersey Hunterdon New Jersey

Hunterdon County and New Jersey Hunterdon County and New Jersey
Leisure & Hospitality Employment: 1999-2004 Other Services Employment: 1999-2004
130 115

110
120

105
110
100

100
95
(1999=100) (1999=100)
90 90
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Hunterdon New Jersey Hunterdon New Jersey

4 New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development

 Employment
Hunterdon County
Total Private Sector Employment: 1999 — 2004
46,000

44,000

42,000

B
40,000
B B
38,000
B B B

36,000

34,000
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

∑ In Hunterdon County, total private sector employment expanded by 2,210 from

1999 to 2004. The largest job increases were noted in 2004 (+1,880) and 2002
(+690). During the other years, the county experienced small job changes.

Hunterdon County
Total Private Sector Employment by Industry: 1999 & 2004
Construction

Manufacturing

Trade/Transp./Utilities

Information

Financial Activities

Prof./Business Services

Educ./Health Services

Leisure/Hospitality

Other Services

0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000

2004 1999

∑ In 2004, the two largest sectors were trade, transportation and utilities with
9,390 jobs and professional and business services with 8,540. Within trade, trans-
portation and utilities, retail trade had the most jobs (6,530).

Hunterdon County Community Fact Book 5

 Employment Gains and Losses
Hunterdon County, Private Sector
Net Job Growth by Industry: 1999 — 2004
2,000

1,500

1,000

500

-500

-1,000
Construction Manufact- Trade/ Information Financial Prof./ Education/ Leisure/ Other
uring Transport./ Activities Business Health Hospitality Services
Utilities Services Services

∑ With an increase of 1,330 jobs or 61.6 percent over the five-year period, payrolls in
financial activities saw the most job growth. Construction ranked second with a job
gain of 950. Professional and business services payrolls, which lost 650 jobs, de-
clined the most.

Hunterdon County, Private Sector

Gains, Losses and Net Growth by Industry: 2003
900

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

-100

-200
Construction Manufact- Trade/ Information Financial Prof./ Education/ Leisure/ Other
uring Transport./ Activities Business Health Hospitality Services
Utilities Services Services

GAINS LOSSES NET

Source: Local Employment Dynamics (LED) data from the US Census Bureau.

∑ Despite only small net gains during a year, industries can generate a significant num-
ber of job openings. In 2003 (latest data available), the professional and business
services (+160) and the trade, transportation and utilities (+100) sectors realized
the greatest net job gains.

6 New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development

 Wages
Hunterdon County, Private Sector
Average Annual Wage: 1999 — 2004
$55,000
$51,678
$50,300
$50,000 $48,209 $48,603 $48,688

$44,981
$45,000

$40,000

$35,000

$30,000

$25,000

$20,000
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

∑ From 1999 to 2004, Hunterdon’s annual average private sector wage increased 14.5
percent. Gains occurred despite a 2001 decline due to recessionary cutbacks in high-
paying industries like financial activities and professional and business services.

∑ The county’s annual average private sector wage has been above the state’s since
1993.

Hunterdon County and New Jersey, Private Sector

Average Annual Wage by Industry: 2004
Total Private Sector

Construction

Manufacturing

Trade/Transp./Utilities

Information

Financial Activities

Prof./Business Services

Education/Health Services

Leisure/Hospitality

Other Services

$0 $20,000 $40,000 $60,000 $80,000 $100,000

Hunterdon County New Jersey

∑ In 2004, Hunterdon’s annual average wage in professional and business services was
the greatest percentage above the state’s (+28.3%). The county’s professional and
business services sector is small (1.5% of the state total) but it has a relatively large
number of highly paid executive, professional and technical jobs (i.e., headquarters
and research facilities). Leisure and hospitality paid the highest percentage below
the state wage (-32.4%).
Hunterdon County Community Fact Book 7
 Per Capita Personal Income
∑ Hunterdon County’s per capita personal
income reached $59,384 in 2004. Between Hunterdon County and New Jersey
Per Capita Personal Income: 1999 — 2004
1999 and 2004, the county’s per capita $60,000

personal income increased 23.2 percent,

$50,000
higher than the state’s 20.5 percent in-
crease.
$
∑ The county’s per capita personal income is $ $
$40,000
$ $
$
the highest in New Jersey. Hunterdon’s $30,000

semirural setting and a fairly easy com-

mute to Northern New Jersey and to New $20,000
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
York City has attracted a significant num-
ber of persons who hold relatively high- Hunterdon $ New Jersey
paying executive, managerial, professional
and technical jobs.
∑ Of the three components of personal income, residents of Hunterdon in 2004 derived
77.6 percent from wage earnings versus 72.5 percent statewide, 16.1 percent from divi-
dends/interest/rent versus 15.2 percent statewide, and 6.3 percent from transfer pay-
ments (such as welfare benefits, social security and veteran’s benefits) versus 12.3 per-
cent statewide.

Unemployment Rates
Hunterdon County and New Jersey
∑ Hunterdon County’s average rate of unem-
ployment was consistentaly lower than the
Unemployment Rate Trends: 1999 — 2005
7.0 state’s rate from 1999 to 2005.

B ∑ During the 2002-2003 period, county and

6.0
B the state unemployment rates were higher
5.0
B B due to the lingering effects of the 2001-
B J J B 2002 recession, the September 2001 ter-
4.0
B rorist attack, and to numerous mergers and
J J
3.0
J consolidations. Labor force estimates are

2.0 J J affected by what goes on beyond the

county because a significant number of
residents work outside of Hunterdon
1.0
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 County.

B New Jersey J Hunterdon

∑ In 2005, Hunterdon County’s annual aver-
age unemployment rate was 3.0 percent, a
figure well below the state’s rate of 4.4
percent. Historically, the county’s rate has
been below the state’s rate.

8 New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development

 Characteristics of the Unemployed

Hunterdon County
Unemployment Insurance Claimants: 2004-2005
2004 2005
Annual Annual Change 2004-2005
Category Average Average Number Percent
Total Insured Unemployed 872 801 -71.0 -8.1
By Gender
Male 517 491 -26.0 -5.0
Female 356 310 -46.0 -12.9
By Race
White 797 734 -63.0 -7.9
Black 14 15 1.0 7.1
Asian 16 10 -6.0 -37.5
Other 46 42 -4.0 -8.7
By Ethnicity
Hispanic 56 37 -19.0 -33.9
Not Hispanic 761 716 -45.0 -5.9
Chose Not To Answer 56 48 -8.0 -14.3
By Age of Claimant
Under 25 33 40 7.0 21.2
25 through 34 118 119 1.0 .8
35 through 44 209 202 -7.0 -3.3
45 through 54 278 248 -30.0 -10.8
55 through 64 189 153 -36.0 -19.0
65 and over 45 40 -5.0 -11.1
By Industry
Construction 126 121 -5.0 -4.0
Manufacturing 98 69 -29.0 -29.6
Trade, Transportation and Utilities 155 138 -17.0 -11.0
Wholesale Trade 52 44 -8.0 -15.4
Retail Trade 73 69 -4.0 -5.5
Information 69 69 0.0 .0
Financial Activities 50 38 -12.0 -24.0
Professional and Business Services 170 147 -23.0 -13.5
Educational and Health Services 56 57 1.0 1.8
Leisure and Hospitality 52 40 -12.0 -23.1
Other Services 14 17 3.0 21.4

∑ The number of persons filing for unemployment compensation benefits in Hunterdon

County declined 8.1 percent between 2004 and 2005. The age group with the largest
number of unemployment claimants in 2005 was the 45-54 year old segment.

∑ The highest number of unemployment claimants in Hunterdon were from the profes-
sional and business services sector, one of the largest sectors in the economy. The
sector with the largest percentage decline in claimants was manufacturing.

Hunterdon County Community Fact Book 9

 Population
∑ Hunterdon has been New Jersey’s third- Hunterdon County
fastest growing county since 1970, add- Total Population: 1970 — 2005
150,000
ing 60,686 persons (87.0%) to reach
129,746 in 2004. The county’s rate of
growth was the fastest (25.3%) in the 125,000

1970s, but the largest number of new resi-

dents (20,415) came in the 1980s after 100,000

the opening of the eastern portion of In-

terstate 78. The road provides for a rela- 75,000
tively easy commute from Hunterdon to
the eastern counties of New Jersey and
50,000
to New York City via the Holland Tunnel. 1970 1980 1990 2000 2005

Hunterdon County ∑ Although Hunterdon’s white population in-

creased 5.8 percent between 2000 and 2004
Racial/Hispanic Origin: 2000 - 2004
Percent Percent (latest available by race), its proportion of
Race in 2000 in 2004 the county’s total population declined slightly.
White 94.9 93.8
Black 2.5 2.8 ∑ With an increase of 40.9 percent, Hunterdon
Asian 2.0 2.7 had the third-fastest growing Asian popula-
Multiracial 0.5 0.6
tion among New Jersey’s counties.
American Indian/Alaska Native 0.1 0.2
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 0.0 0.0
Total* 100.0 100.1
Hispanic Origin (may be of any race) 2.8 3.4
* May not add to 100% due to rounding

∑ Between 1970 and 2004 (latest available Hunterdon County

by municipality), eight of the county’s 26 Ten Largest Municipalities 2004
municipalities more than doubled their Rank Municipality Population
population, while only three lost popula- 1 Raritan Township 22,362
tion. 2 Readington Township 16,401
3 Clinton Township 13,862
∑ Residents of Raritan Township, the larg- 4 Union Township 6,400
est among Hunterdon’s 26 municipalities, 5 Lebanon Township 6,283
accounted for 17.2 percent of the county’s 6 Tewksbury Township 5,998
population. 7 Holland Township 5,308
8 Alexandria Township 4,976
9 Delaware Township 4,701
10 East Amwell Township 4,564

10 New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development

 Population Projections
∑ Hunterdon County’s population is projected Hunterdon County
to add 18,715 persons from 2002 to 2012. Population Projections: 2002 — 2012
175,000
The 14.8 percent projected rate of growth
ranks Hunterdon as New Jersey’s third- 150,000

fastest growing county behind Somerset 125,000

and Ocean.
100,000

75,000

50,000

25,000
2002* 2007** 2012**
*estimate **projection

Hunterdon County
∑ Nearly half (48.5%) of the county’s 2002-
Projections for Select Age Groups: 2002 — 2012 2012 population gain will be in the 45-to-
50,000 64-year-old age group. This group is antici-
40,000
pated to add 9,117 persons or increase 25.0
percent. With an increase of 41.9 percent,
30,000
the 15-to-24-year-olds is projected to be
20,000 the fastest growing age group.
10,000

0
0-14 15-24 25-44 45-64 65+

2002* 2012**
*estimate **projection

∑ By 2012, Hunterdon’s fastest growing ra- Hunterdon County

Projected Population Growth
cial group is projected to be black. Blacks by Race, 2002 - 2012
are anticipated to add 3,541 persons, or 120

account for 19.0 percent of the county’s 100

total population gain. With an increase of
80
11,365, whites are projected to add the
Percent

most persons. 60

40

20

0
White Black Other Races Multi-Racial

Hunterdon County Community Fact Book 11

 Industry Projections
Hunterdon County, 2002 - 2012
Ten Industries with the Greatest Employment Growth
Change: 2002-2012
2002 2012 Percent
Industry Title Jobs Jobs Number Total Annual
Professional and technical services 5,450 6,950 1,500 28.0 2.4
Ambulatory health care services 1,650 2,450 850 51.5 4.1
Local government educational services 3,750 4,500 750 19.5 1.8
Administrative and support services 1,900 2,550 600 32.6 2.8
Specialty trade contractors 2,450 2,950 500 19.4 1.8
Amusements, gambling, and recreation 900 1,250 400 41.9 3.4
Food services and drinking places 2,400 2,800 400 17.0 1.6
Motor vehicle and parts dealers 950 1,250 300 31.8 2.7
Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods 1,000 1,250 250 27.0 2.4
Nursing and residential care facilities 700 950 250 33.6 2.9

∑ Hunterdon County is projected to add 8,700 jobs by 2012. This figure is anticipated
to account for 1.8 percent of statewide job growth.

∑ More than 17 percent of Hunterdon’s job growth is anticipated to be in professional

and technical services, the county’s top-ranking industry for employment growth.

Hunterdon County, 2002 - 2012

Ten Industries with the Greatest Employment Declines
Change: 2002-2012
2002 2012 Percent
Industry Title Jobs Jobs Number Total Annual
Paper manufacturing 700 550 -150 -21.3 -2.4
Chemical manufacturing 450 400 -50 -6.4 -0.7
Fabricated metal product manufacturing 500 450 -50 -11.0 -1.2
Machinery manufacturing 300 250 -50 -20.2 -2.3
Computer and electronic product manufacturing 200 150 -50 -19.5 -2.2
State government hospitals 550 500 -50 -7.0 -0.7
State government, excl. hospitals & schools 2,400 2,350 -50 -2.2 -0.2
Federal government, excluding postal service 50 0 0 -14.8 -1.6
Plastics and rubber products manufacturing 200 150 0 -8.1 -0.8
Printing and related support activities 50 50 0 -7.7 -0.8

∑ Analysis of the industries anticipated to have employment declines from 2002 to 2012
reveals that 77.8 percent of all jobs lost will be in a manufacturing industry.

∑ The industries that have large projected percent declines have a relatively small em-
ployment base.

12 New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development

 Projected Occupational Demand
Hunterdon County
Occupations With The Most Projected Job Openings, 2002-2012
2004
Annual Average Job Openings Annual Skill
Occupation Total Growth Replacements Wage Level* Outlook
Retail Salespersons 100 40 60 $25,660 Low Good
Cashiers 100 30 80 17,470 Low Good
Combined Food Preparation and
Serving Workers, Including Fast Food 60 20 40 17,510 Low Good
Registered Nurses 50 30 20 57,330 High Good
Fitness Trainers and
Aerobics Instructors 40 30 10 35,730 Moderate Good
Elementary School Teachers, Except
Special Education 40 20 30 52,570 High Good
Waiters and Waitresses 40 10 30 18,210 Low Good
Office Clerks, General 40 10 20 26,450 Low Good
Receptionists and Information Clerks 30 20 20 24,920 Low Good
General and Operations Managers 30 20 20 132,490 High Good
First-Line Supervisors/Managers of
Retail Sales Workers 30 20 10 43,750 Moderate Good
Stock Clerks and Order Fillers 30 0 30 22,980 Low Good
Secretaries, Except Legal,
Medical and Executive 30 0 30 35,570 Low Good
Tellers 30 10 20 21,380 Low Good
Laborers and Freight, Stock and
Material Movers, Hand 30 0 30 21,690 Low Good
Bookkeeping, Accounting and
Auditing Clerks 20 10 20 35,050 Low Good
Customer Service Representatives 20 10 10 34,960 Low Good
Medical Secretaries 20 10 10 28,740 Moderate Average
Correctional Officers and Jailers 20 10 10 53,840 Low Good
Truck Drivers, Heavy and
Tractor-Trailer 20 10 10 39,060 Low Good
1. "Growth" and "Replacements" may not add to "Total" due to rounding.

2. High Skills: Associate's degree or higher.

Moderate Skills: Long-term on-the-job training, work experience or post secondary/vocational/technical training.
Low Skills: Short-term or moderate-term on-the-job training, including up to 12 months of on-the-job experience and informal training.

∑ Hunterdon County is projected to have 2,220 annual job openings through 2012, or 1.4
percent of statewide annual openings. The county’s top twenty ranked occupations by
annual job openings are anticipated to account for 32.0 percent of all county openings.

∑ Projected job openings consist of growth, or new jobs, plus replacements, or jobs that
become available as members of the workforce retire or change occupations. Just
under half of Hunterdon’s annual average job openings are projected to result from
growth, making it the third-fastest growing county in New Jersey.

Hunterdon County Community Fact Book 13

 Labor Force Projections
∑ Hunterdon County’s labor force is pro- Hunterdon County
jected to increase 20.6 percent between Projected Labor Force Growth
2002 and 2012. Whites will make up the by Race, 2002 - 2012
largest contribution to this labor force
gain; however, with an anticipated increase Multi-Racial
Other Races
of 400 percent, blacks will be the fastest- 19.3%
growing group in the county’s labor force. 4.2%
White
∑ Note: Multi-racial refers to persons that Black 53.0%

are of two or more races. “Other races” 23.5%

includes Asian, American Indian/Alaska

Native, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Is-
lander.

Hunterdon County ∑ Non-Hispanics are projected to account

Projected Labor Force Growth by for the vast majority of Hunterdon’s 2002-
Hispanic Origin, 2002 - 2012 2012 labor force growth. However, Hispan-
ics are projected to increase 76.5 percent
Hispanic by 2012.
11.8%

Non-Hispanic
88.2%

∑ With a gain of 9,300, males are projected Hunterdon County

to make the largest contribution to Projected Labor Force Growth by
Hunterdon’s 2002-2012 labor force growth. Gender, 2002 - 2012
The county’s female labor force is pro-
jected to add 4,900 persons, accounting for
59.4 percent of the county’s labor force
growth. Male
40.6% 59.4%
Female

14 New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development