County Employment and Wages News Release — 2011-01-11

From June 2009 to June 2010, employment declined in 192 of the 326 largest U.S. counties according to preliminary data, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Yolo, Calif., and Marion, Fla., posted the largest percentage decline, with a loss of 3.7 percent each over the year, compared with a national job decrease of 0.2 percent. Within Yolo, the largest employment decline occurred in trade, transportation, and utilities, which lost 843 jobs over the year (-4.4 percent). In Marion, financial activities had the largest over-the-year decrease in employment, shedding 1,495 jobs (-27.1 percent). Elkhart, Ind., experienced the largest over- the-year percentage increase in employment among the largest counties in the U.S. with a gain of 9.3 percent. The U.S. average weekly wage increased over the year by 3.0 percent to $865 in the second quarter of 2010.