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The Way We Work: Making Sense of the Census
We're older, less rich — and less employed — than in 1990
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Business New Haven
7/8/2002
By: BNH
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Data from the 2000 U.S. census paints a surprising portrait of Connecticut - compared to the Connecticut of a decade ago.
For starters, the state's population has grown to a level that exceeds both 1980 and 1990 levels and has grown faster than all estimated inter-census projections for those decades. Connecticut's population grew 3.6 percent during the 1990s to 3,405,565 in 2000, making it the 29th most populous state in the union. Overall, Connecticut's population is older, more educated, more diverse, with less income (although still the highest in New England), more heavily mortgaged, commuting longer to work, and less employed.
The state's labor force shrank two percent, from 1,804,457 in 1990 to 1,765,319 in 2000 as jobs moved west, south and abroad. The number of those “not in the labor force” rose by nine percent from 812,290 in 1990 to 886,997 in 2000.
The state's economy has also undergone a structural shift. The number of service occupations increased significantly, while employment in manufacturing continued to decline from 1990 to 2000.
Employment in manufacturing fell by 29 percent from 346,552 in 1990 to 246,607 in 2000. Median household income declined 0.4 percent, or $213, from an inflation-adjusted $54,148 in 1990 to $53,935 in 2000. Poverty increased for individuals 18 and over from 5.6 to 7.0 percent.
One highlight of the 2000 census' economic characteristics is the decline in median household income after adjustment for inflation. Connecticut is second in median household income to New Jersey (among Northeastern states for which data has already been released), at $53,935 versus New Jersey's $55,146.
However, Connecticut still ranks first in per-capita income nationwide, at $28,766.
Nevertheless, a recent Webster Bank survey reveals that more than a third of the state's respondents expect their incomes to rise. This may bodes well for spending and the economic outlook in general and somewhat mitigate the statistical income decline, according to the University of Connecticut's spring 2002 Connecticut Economic Digest.
Among all industries, there were gains in construction and public administration, and a new “Information” industry employed 55,202 in 2000. Most other industries experienced employment decreases, including agriculture, wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing and finance, insurance and real estate (FIRE).
Overall, private wage and salary workers comprised the largest class of workers. The number of government workers grew by 1.9 percent from 1990 to 2000. Self-employed workers were up 4.3 percent, while the number of unpaid family workers fell 18.6 percent.
Among those commuting to work, there was virtually no change in the number of those using public transportation: 65,827 in 2000, compared with 65,805 in 1990. Carpooling actually fell 17.4 by percent, suggesting that the struggles of organizations like Rideworks and Metropool are achieving negative traction.
By far, the largest single mode of commute was “drove alone,” up a fraction to 1,312,700, representing 80 percent of all commuters, and up from 78 percent in 1990.
The number of those who work at home rose dramatically - up 14 percent. The small share of those who “walked” to work was down to 2.7 percent of total commuters in 2000 compared with 3.7 percent in 1990.
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