County Employment And Wages: First Quarter 2007 — 2007-10-18

In March 2007, Orleans County, La., had the largest over-the-year percentage increase in employment among the largest counties in the U.S., according to preliminary data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. Orleans County, which in- cludes the city of New Orleans, experienced an over-the-year employment gain of 15.0 percent compared with national job growth of 1.4 percent. Harrison County, Miss., followed closely behind Orleans with an over-the- year gain of 14.5 percent. Employment gains in Orleans and Harrison coun- ties reflected significant recovery following substantial job losses that occurred in September 2005 due to Hurricane Katrina. Trumbull County, Ohio, had the largest over-the-year gain in average weekly wages in the first quarter of 2007, with an increase of 22.3 percent. The U.S. average weekly wage rose by 5.1 percent over the same time span.