Denver County and Weld County rank high for growth in county employment report

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released today its County Employment and Wages Summary. According to the release:

From March 2010 to March 2011, employment increased in 256 of the 322
largest U.S. counties, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported
today. Elkhart, Ind., posted the largest percentage increase, with a
gain of 6.2 percent over the year, compared with national job growth
of 1.3 percent. Within Elkhart, the largest employment increase
occurred in manufacturing, which gained 5,125 jobs over the year
(12.4 percent). Sacramento, Calif., experienced the largest over-the-
year percentage decrease in employment among the largest counties in
the U.S. with a loss of 1.6 percent.

The U.S. average weekly wage increased over the year by 5.2 percent
to $935 in the first quarter of 2011.

In March 2011, national employment, as measured by the QCEW program,
was 127.9 million, up by 1.3 percent

The average weekly wage exceeded the national change of 5.2 percent in Denver, Douglas, Larimer and Weld Counties. weld County showed the largest year over year growth with average wages increasing 7.6 percent. Growth in Douglas county was slightly less at 7.1 percent. El Paso County, on the other hand, was well below the national growth rate at 2.9 percent.

Weld County's increase placed it at 22nd in the nation for wage growth. Douglas County placed 34th in the nation.

Compared to the nation's employment growth rate of 1.3 percent, Denver, El Paso and Weld Counties placed higher with year over year employment growth rates of 2.0 percent, 1.4 percent and 3.6 percent, respectively.

Weld County's growth placed it 12th in the nation for employment growth. Denver placed 65th. On the other hand, total employment in Douglas County and Jefferson County grew by 06 percent and 0.5 percent, respectively. All counties surveyed showed growth in total employment.

Year-over-year change in average weekly wage, by county:
Denver 5.0
Douglas 7.1
El Paso 2.9
Jefferson 3.7
Larimer 5.3
Weld 7.6

Year-over-year change in total employment, by county:
Denver 2.0
Douglas 0.6
El Paso 1.4
Jefferson 0.5
Larimer 1.2
Weld 3.6

See here for the latest employment data from August.

Data discussed here is for the first quarter of 2011.