Worcester County Leads Maryland in Unemployment
According to statistics released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for December 2009, Worcester County led all Maryland jurisdictions in unemployment with 16.2% of our workforce unemployed. This map tells the story.
The 16.2% unemployment rate in Worcester County is followed by a rate of 12.1% in Dorchester and 10.5% in Baltimore City. Howard, Montgomery and St. Mary's counties have the lowest rates at 5.1%, 5.2% and 5.7% respectively.
Why is unemployment so high in Worcester County? The obvious answer is the county's heavy reliance on seasonal industries - tourism and to a lesser extent agriculture - for its economy. A less obvious answer is the county government's continued failure to attract industries that provide more stable employment.
The sad fact is that we have a low-wage, seasonal employment economy here in the state with the highest median household income in the country. According to the most recent statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Worcester County ranks dead last in the state in average weekly wages. Average weekly wages here (second quarter of 2009) were $502 a week. For the state as a whole the average weekly wage was $935 a week.
Why are wages so low here? The answer is obvious, outside of Atlantic General Hospital (the one bright spot) the largest employers here are all in either the hospitality or retail industries - two of the lowest paying industries in the country.
The county government goes to great lengths to support and promote the tourism industry in and around Ocean City. It would be great if they would show the same zeal in trying to attract better, year-round jobs to Worcester County.
