County Employment And Wages: Second Quarter 2007 — 2008-01-17

In June 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 includes the city of New Orleans, experienced an over-the-year employment gain of 10.8 percent, compared with national job growth of 1.2 percent. Harrison County, Miss., followed closely behind Orleans with an over-the-year gain of 10.3 percent. Employment gains in Orleans and Harrison counties reflected significant recovery following substantial job losses that occurred in 2005 and 2006 due to Hurricane Katrina. Clayton County, Ga., had the largest over-the- year gain in average weekly wages in the second quarter of 2007, with an increase of 87.3 percent due to increases in wage disbursements in the trade, transportation, and utilities supersector during the quarter. The U.S. average weekly wage rose by 4.6 percent over the same time span.