Hardy County
Labor Market Summary
College of Business and Economics
West Virginia University
www.bber.wvu.edu
by
George W. Hammond, Ph.D.
Anthony Gregory
Update November 2006
Copyright © 2006 WVU Research Corporation
This summary provides an overview of the current performance of the Hardy County labor market
compared to the Potomac Highlands Region, the state of West Virginia, and the U.S. The Potomac
Highlands Region includes Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Mineral, and Pendleton counties. Table 1 below
contains summary data for the county, the region, metropolitan areas with component counties in the
region, the state, and the nation. Data summarized in this document (and detailed in the associated Excel
database) include job growth and wages by industry, the unemployment rate and labor force participation,
population growth and demographics, educational attainment, job turnover by industry, farming, and
commuting patterns.
Hardy County added 238 nonfarm jobs from 2004 to 2005, with 196 of those new jobs coming in
manufacturing, particularly in the wood products and furniture sector. Since 2001, the county has added
590 jobs, which translates into an average annual growth rate of 2.4 percent. That growth rate far exceeds
results for the state (0.3 percent) and the nation (0.4 percent) during the same period. It is also the fastest
growth rate posted by any county in the region. As Figure 1 shows, the county added jobs rapidly in
professional and business services (which has almost tripled employment since 2001); leisure and
hospitality; information; construction; government; and education and health care. Hardy County posted
slower gains in manufacturing and trade, transportation and utilities, although the gains in manufacturing
are in stark contrast to strong job losses statewide and nationally. The county posted job losses in natural
resources and mining and other services (which includes repair and maintenance, personal services, and
non-profits). Strong gains in construction reflect infrastructure development in the region (Corridor H) as
well as residential building activity. Gains in professional and business services reflects activity at
temporary help agencies, while gains in information are likely related to overall population growth in the
region.
Figure 1
Annual Job Growth
Hardy County, W.Va. and the U.S.
2001-2005
Total
Nat. Resources & Mining
Construction
Manufacturing
Trade, Trans., and Utilities
Information
Financial Activites
Prof. and Business Services
Hardy
W.Va.
U.S.
Education and Health Services
+30.7%
Leisure and Hospitality
Other Services
Total Government
-6.0
-4.0
-2.0
0.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
Percent
8.0
10.0 12.0 14.0
*Annual job growth is based on covered employment and wages.
The Hardy County nonfarm employment mix is heavily weighted toward manufacturing, with over half of
county nonfarm payroll jobs in this sector. Hardy County manufacturing is dominated by poultry
processing, with Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation of West Virginia the largest employer in the county in March
2006, but wood products activity also accounts for a significant share of nonfarm jobs.
Agriculture remains an important sector of the county economy, with farm proprietors in Hardy County
accounting for 9.1 percent of total full and part-time employment in 2004. This far exceeded the state share
of 2.6 percent. In addition, the county accounted for 27.3 percent of state livestock cash receipts in 2004,
with those sales dominated by poultry.
The county has posted solid gains in wages per worker during the last four years, rising from $21,962 in
2001 to $24,722 in 2005. Even with that growth, average wages in the region remain well below the
Potomac Highlands region average ($26,835), the state ($31,344) and the nation ($40,671).
Further, job gains have contributed to the county’s low unemployment rate, even as population rose
quickly. At 3.7 percent in 2005, the county’s unemployment rate remains well below the Potomac
Highlands (4.5 percent), state (5.0 percent), and the nation (5.1 percent). In 2000, the county labor force
participation rate was 64.0 percent, well above West Virginia (at 55.3 percent), and close to the national
rate of 64.9 percent. Indeed, the participation rate for women in Hardy County is particularly high (at 58.8
percent), which is more than 10 percentage points above the state average and also exceeds the national
female participation rate.
Hardy County’s labor force has increased by 2,200 since 1980, with growth driven by gains in resident
employment. The labor force includes both employed residents, as well as unemployed residents that are
actively seeking work. The growth in Hardy County’s labor force accounted for 24.4 percent of gains in the
Potomac Highlands Region. In 2000, Hardy County drew 2,194 workers from outside the county, while
1,862 Hardy County residents commuted to jobs in other counties.
One important measure of labor market performance is the job turnover rate. This is computed by summing
the number of job accessions and job separations per quarter, dividing this sum by two, and then dividing
by the number of jobs. According to new data released by U.S. Census Bureau, the county’s overall
turnover rate is 8.7 percent, which is below the state average of 9.8 percent. This suggests that the county’s
labor market was a bit less dynamic than the state last year.
Hardy County has a relatively large share of residents with a high school degree as their highest level of
educational attainment (at 44.6 percent), but relatively low shares of residents with associate’s (3.0
percent), bachelor’s (5.7 percent), and graduate and professional degrees (3.8 percent) compared to the
state and the nation. However, Potomac State College of West Virginia University, in Mineral County, has
granted 708 degrees or certificates during the last five years and Eastern West Virginia Community
College, in Hardy County, had undergraduate headcount enrollment of 882 in certificate, associate degree,
or non-degree programs in fall 2005.
Population growth in the county has been strong since 2000, as the county has added 592 net new residents
(129 new residents last year). This translates into an annual growth rate of 0.9 percent per year during the
last four years, well above the state (0.1 percent) and close to the national average of 1.0 percent per year.
Hardy County’s median age matched the state in 2000, at 38.9 years, but was well above the national
average of 35.3 years. The county contains relatively large concentrations of residents in the 45-64 and 6584 age groups, with 38.7 percent of residents in these age groups. This is similar to the state share but is
well above the national average of 32.9 percent.
Hardy County construction has been very volatile during the 1999-2005 period, according to data from
F.W. Dodge. This has been driven by large infrastructure projects in the region, reflecting activity related to
Corridor H. Residential construction activity has gradually trended upward since 2001, reflecting
population growth and low mortgage rates. It may also reflect increased activity in second home
construction. According to Census 2000, 20.0 percent of homes in the county were for seasonal,
recreational, or occasional use, compared to 4.5 percent for the state and 3.3 percent for the nation. That
ranked Hardy County 6th in the state in 2000.
2
Hardy County Labor Market Summary
Table 1
Summary Data for Hardy County
Hardy
County
6,633
2.4
$24,722
Nonfarm Jobs (Thous., 2005)*
Annual Job Growth (2001-2005, %)
Average Annual Wage Per Worker (2005)
Job Turnover Rate (Four Qtr. Avg., %)**
Unemployment Rate (2005, %)
Labor Force Participation Rate (2000, %)***
Potomac
Highlands Cumberland
Region
MSA
23,236
37,369
0.3
0.4
$26,835
$28,635
-4.5
59.8
-5.8
57.9
-2.8
67.6
13,287
0.9
38.9
81,857
0.6
--
100,667
-0.2
39.1
116,267
2.3
--
12.5
70.3
15.4
74.2
20.2
80.0
23.0
76.4
19.2
75.2
30.7
80.4
$22,551
$22,480
$23,907
$28,735
$25,792
$33,050
Farm Cash Receipts (2004, $Mil, Livestk & Crops)
$109.2
$236.7
$14.5
$44.1
*Quarterly Covered Employment and Wages (QCEW)
**Per quarter, from third quarter 2004 to third quarter 2005. Data for MSAs are W.Va. part only.
***Estimated based on institutionalized population for all ages.
^percent of population age 25 and older.
Potomac Highlands Region includes Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Mineral, and Pendleton counties in W.Va.
Cumberland MSA includes Mineral County, W.Va. and Allegany County, Md.
Winchester MSA includes Hampshire County, W.Va., Frederick County, Va., and Winchester City, Va.
$467.2
$250,737.3
Share of residents with:
Associates Degree or More (2000, %)^
High School Degree or More (2000, %)^
Per Capita Personal Income (2004)
Nonfarm Employment Shares 2005
Hardy County, W.Va., and U.S.
700,000
Hardy
W.Va.
6,500
Manufacturing
680,000
6,000
Hardy Average
Employment
Hardy
W.Va.
U.S.
Financial Activities
Prof. & Bus. Serv.
Ed. & Health Services
660,000
5,500
640,000
5,000
620,000
4,500
600,000
4,000
Leisure & Hosp.
580,000
3,500
Other Services
Government
560,000
3,000
0
10
20
30
40
Percent
Source: Employment and Wages, Workforce WV
50
60
2,500
1980
W.Va. Average
Employment
Trade, Trans., & Util.
Information
-5.1
64.9
1,816,856 296,410,404
0.10
1.0
38.9
35.3
7,000
Construction
•
9.8
5.0
55.3
Employment Trends in
Hardy County and W.Va.
Nat. Res. & Mining
•
W.Va.
U.S.
695,300 131,595,637
0.3
0.4
$31,344
$40,671
8.7
3.7
64.0
Population (2005)
Annual Population Growth (2000-2005, %)
Median Age (2000)
•
Winchester
MSA
54,055
1.8
$33,788
1985
1990
1995
2000
540,000
2005
Source: Employment and Wages, Workforce WV
Manufacturing dominates the Hardy County employment mix, accounting for 54.0 percent of nonfarm
employment.
Hardy County manufacturing is dominated by poultry processing, with Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation of West
Virginia the largest employer in the county in March 2006, but wood products activity also accounts for a
significant share of nonfarm jobs.
Since 1980, nonfarm employment in Hardy County has grown at an average annual rate of 3.7 percent,
much higher than the West Virginia rate of 0.5 percent.
WVU Bureau of Business and Economic Research
3
Total Wages per Worker in
Hardy County, W.Va., and U.S.
Annual Wages per Worker 2005
Hardy County, W.Va., and U.S.
$45,000
Total
Hardy
W.Va.
U.S.
Nat. Res. & Mining
Construction
Hardy
W.Va.
U.S.
$40,000
$35,000
Manufacturing
$30,000
Trade, Trans., & Util.
Information
$25,000
Financial Activities
$20,000
Prof. & Bus. Serv.
Ed. & Health Services
$15,000
Leisure & Hosp.
$10,000
Other Services
Government
$0
$10,000
$20,000
$30,000
$40,000
$50,000
$60,000
$70,000
$5,000
1980
1985
•
2000
Average New Hire Earnings
Hardy County and W.Va.
Average New Hire Earnings
Hardy County and W.Va.
Average from 2004Q3 to 2005Q3
Average from 2004Q3 to 2005Q3
$4,000
$4,000
Hardy
W.Va.
$3,500
$3,000
Monthly Earnings
Monthly Earnings
$2,500
$2,000
$1,500
$0
$0
g
e
e
g
g
g
es
on
on
rin Trad Trad usin
nin tiliti
cti
ati
&
tu
Mi
il
U
tru
le
ho form nce
ac
re
ns
uf
sa
e ta
n
a
a
o
n
I
e
R
l
in
C
W
F
Ma
ho
&
W
s.
an
Tr
Source: Quarterly Workforce Indicators, U.S. Census Bureau
*Not Available
•
$1,500
*
*
r.,
$2,000
$500
$500
in
nt
Hu
$2,500
$1,000
$1,000
h&
F is
Hardy
W.Va.
$3,500
$3,000
Fo
1995
In 2005, the average annual wage per worker in Hardy County was $24,722, well below the West Virginia
($31,344) and U.S. ($40,671) levels.
Annual wages in Hardy County are below the U.S. level in every sector and below West Virginia in every
sector except professional and business services in 2005.
•
.,
Ag
1990
Source: Workforce WV
Source: Employment and Wages, Workforce WV
.
Ins
.
.
.
.
t.
n.
nt
te
st.
rv
od
rv
ec
ch
mi
me Mgm . Se
As t., R
Fo
sta , Te
Se
Ad
&
al
ge
d
er
lE
i.
e
i
n
.
t
a
a
c
E
h
n
c
E
b
t
s
n
io
O
Re
So rts,
., S
Pu
Ma , Wa
at
of
t
A
od
e&
Pr
or
ar
om
C
pp
c
u
h
S
Ac
al t
n.,
He
mi
Ad
Source: Quarterly Workforce Indicators, U.S. Census Bureau
*Not Available
Across all industries, Hardy County new hire earnings, at $1,493.00 per month, are well below the West
Virginia average of $1,747.75.
New hire earnings are higher than the comparable state level in agriculture, forestry and fishing;
construction; administrative, support and waste management; and other services in Hardy County
•
4
Hardy County Labor Market Summary
2005
Unemployment Rate Trends in
Hardy County, W.Va., and U.S.
Labor Force Participation Rates
Census 2000
20.0
100
Hardy
W.Va.
U.S.
17.5
80
72.1
69.4
12.5
64.0
10.0
7.5
58.8
60
Percent
Percent
15.0
Total
Male
Female
64.9
62.9
58.2
55.3
48.3
40
5.0
20
2.5
0.0
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
2005
0
Hardy
W.Va.
U.S.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Workforce WV
•
•
•
In 2005, Hardy County’s unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, well below the West Virginia (5.0 percent)
and U.S. (5.1 percent) rate.
Hardy County’s labor force participation rate of 64.0 percent is much higher than the West Virginia average
of 55.3 percent, but just below the national average of 64.9 percent.
At 58.8 percent, Hardy County’s female labor force participates at a higher rate than both the West Virginia
(48.3 percent) and U.S. (58.2 percent) averages.
Hardy County
Employment and Unemployment
Potomac Highlands Region
Labor Force Growth by County
1980-2005
8,000
7,000
Grant
-120
6,000
3,730
Hampshire
5,000
Employment
Unemployment
4,000
2,200
Hardy
3,000
1,000
0
1980
•
•
800
Pendleton
1985
1990
1995
Source: Workforce WV
•
2,410
Mineral
2,000
2000
2005
-1,000
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
Source: Workforce WV
Hardy County’s labor force has increased by 2,200 since 1980, with growth driven by gains in resident
employment.
The labor force includes both employed residents, as well as unemployed residents that are actively seeking
work.
The growth in Hardy County’s labor force accounted for 24.4 percent of gains in the Potomac Highlands
Region.
WVU Bureau of Business and Economic Research
5
Turnover Rates
Hardy County and W.Va.
Turnover Rates
Hardy County and W.Va.
Average from 2004Q3 to 2005Q3
Average from 2004Q3 to 2005Q3
35.0
35.0
Hardy
W.Va.
30.0
25.0
Percent
25.0
Percent
Hardy
W.Va.
30.0
20.0
15.0
20.0
15.0
10.0
10.0
5.0
5.0
*
*
0.0
0.0
A
is
., F
or
F
,
g.
h&
.
t
t.
e
v.
v.
c.
h.
n.
od
en
mt
ss
er
er
tat Tec
mi
Re
Fo
em e Mg d. S ial A
r S . Ad
Es
,
t. ,
.
&
g
e
l
i
n
a
t
a
c
E
h
n
c
b
E
s
n
Ot
Re
ti o
So rts,
., S
Pu
Ma , Wa
of
da
A
rt
e&
Pr
mo
ar
po
o
C
p
c
h
Su
Ac
alt
n.,
He
mi
d
A
Source: Quarterly Workforce Indicators, U.S. Census Bureau
.
s
e
e
g
n
g
n
g
Ins
ing inin ilitie
tio
tio
rin Trad Trad usin
nt
&
tu
uc
M
ma
l
o
Ut
Hu
str
fac sale etai
eh nfor ance
r
n
u
a
I
R
Co Man hole
W
Fin
&
W
s.
an
r
T
Source: Quarterly Workforce Indicators, U.S. Census Bureau
*Not Available
•
*Not Available
Across all industries, the turnover rate in Hardy County is 8.7 percent, compared to 9.8 percent for West
Virginia.
Hardy County recorded the highest turnover rates in real estate; administrative, support and waste
management (which includes call centers); mining; arts, entertainment, and recreation; and construction.
The turnover rate is computed by summing the number of job accessions and job separations per quarter,
dividing this sum by two, and then dividing by the number of jobs.
•
•
Hardy County School Enrollment and Graduates
Educational Attainment
Census 2000
2,500
2,000
13.2
Less than 9
10.0
7.5
Graduates
Enrollment
16.5
14.8
9-12, no diploma
1,500
12.1
44.6
High school & equiv.
39.4
28.6
1,000
13.2
Some college, no degree
16.6
21.0
Hardy
W.Va.
U.S.
3.0
Associate's degree
4.3
6.3
5.7
Bachelor's degree
500
8.9
15.5
0
3.8
Grad. or prof. degree
5.9
8.9
0
10
20
30
40
Percent
•
50
-19
98
19
99
-20
99
19
00
0
20
1
00
0-2
-2
01
20
2
00
-20
02
20
03
0
20
4
00
3-2
-2
04
20
5
00
20
0
-20
05
6
Source: West Virginia Department of Education
*Pre-kindergarden through grade 12.
In 2000, 9.4 percent of Hardy County residents held a Bachelor’s degree or higher level of education. This is
lower than the state average of 14.8 percent and much lower than the national rate of 24.4 percent.
During the 2005-2006 school year, school enrollment in Hardy County hit 2,293 with 139 graduates.
•
6
Hardy County Labor Market Summary
Population Age Distribution
Census 2000
Population Trends in
Hardy County and W.Va.
35
Hardy
W.Va.
U.S.
30
14,000
2,000,000
Hardy
W.Va.
13,000
1,950,000
12,000
1,900,000
11,000
1,850,000
10,000
1,800,000
9,000
1,750,000
20
15
10
W.Va. Residents
Percent
25
5
0
r
de
Un
ea
5y
•
•
rs
5t
o1
7
s
ar
ye
t
18
o2
4
s
ar
ye
t
25
o4
4y
e
s
ar
t
45
o6
4y
e
s
ar
t
65
o8
4y
8
e
s
ar
d
an
rs
ea
y
5
o
r
ve
8,000
1969
1975
1981
1987
1993
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Similar to the U.S. and West Virginia, the bulk (28.8 percent) of Hardy County’s population is located in the
25 to 44 year old age range. Hardy County’s second largest concentration occurs in the 45 to 64 age range at
25.4 percent, more than both West Virginia and the U.S.
Since 1969 the population in Hardy County has grown at an average annual rate of 1.1 percent, much higher
than the West Virginia average annual growth rate and similar to the national rate.
Hardy County, W.Va.
Value of Construction Starts by Type
Hardy County and W.Va.
Total Value of Construction Starts
F.W. Dodge
F.W. Dodge
Hardy
W.Va.
$140,000
$2,700,000
$120,000
$100,000
$2,450,000
$80,000
$2,200,000
$60,000
$1,950,000
$40,000
$1,700,000
$20,000
$1,450,000
•
•
•
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
$1,200,000
2005
West Virginia in Thousands
Hardy County in Thousands
$120,000
$2,950,000
Nonresidential
Residential
Nonbuilding
$100,000
Thousands
$140,000
$0
1999
1,700,000
2005
1999
$80,000
$60,000
$40,000
$20,000
$0
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
Total construction value in Hardy County has fluctuated greatly in the last 6 years, with a low of $10.4
million in 2003 and a high of $132.0 million in 2000.
Over the last 6 years, Hardy County construction has been dominated by the nonbuilding sector, with little
activity in the nonresidential sector. Residential construction in Hardy County has risen from $9.6 million in
2003 to $18.6 million in 2005, reflecting strong population growth and low mortgage interest rates.
According to Census 2000, 20.0 percent of homes in the county were for seasonal, recreational, or
occasional use, compared to 4.5 percent for the state and 3.3 percent for the nation. That ranked Hardy
County 6th in the state in 2000.
WVU Bureau of Business and Economic Research
7
2005
Farm Cash Receipts
in Hardy County
Farm Employment Shares in
Hardy County and W.Va.
$120,000
16
Hardy County
W.Va.
14
Livestock and Products
Crops
$100,000
12
Thousands
Percent
$80,000
10
8
6
$60,000
$40,000
4
$20,000
2
0
$0
1969
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis
•
•
Work County
Hardy County, WV
Grant County, WV
Frederick County, VA
Shenandoah County, VA
Rockingham County, VA
Hampshire County, WV
Harrisonburg city VA
Winchester city VA
Fairfax County, VA
1989
1994
1999
2004
Top Commuting Sources for Hardy County Jobs, 2000
Number of Employed Residents
As a Percentage of Hardy
Traveling to Work County County Employed Residents
4,150
69.0
312
5.2
284
4.7
237
3.9
217
3.6
155
2.6
136
2.3
135
2.2
81
1.3
Total
6,012
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, Journey-To-Work
& Migration Statistics Branch, Census 2000.
Tabulation by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research,
West Virginia University
100.0
Residence County
Hardy County, WV
Grant County, WV
Hampshire County, WV
Mineral County, WV
Pendleton County, WV
Allegany County, MD
Total
Counties with 1.0 percent or more
Number of Workers
Traveling From
Residence County
4,150
940
467
348
177
104
As a Percentage of
Hardy County
Workers
65.4
14.8
7.4
5.5
2.8
1.6
6,344
100.0
According to data from Census 2000, 1,862 Hardy County residents commute to work outside the county,
while 2,194 residents of other counties commute into Hardy County for work.
Grant County draws the most Hardy County residents. It also sends the most workers to jobs in the county.
Top 10 Largest Employers in Hardy County
March 2006
Rank
1984
In 2004, 9.1 percent of Hardy County’s full and part-time employment was in the farm sector, more than the
West Virginia average of 2.6 percent.
Cash receipts from livestock and products (primarily poultry) accounted for nearly all of farming receipts in
Hardy County in 2004, with a total of $107.2 million.
Counties with 1.0 percent or more
•
1979
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Top Commuting Destinations for Hardy County Residents, 2000
•
1974
Company Name
1 Pilgrim's Pride Corporation of West Virginia
2 American Woodmark Corporation
3 Hardy County Board of Education
4 Wal-Mart Associates, Inc.
5 CPBEC, Inc.
6 South Branch Inn, Inc.
7 Summit Financial Group, Inc.
8 Eastern West Virginia Community & Technical College
9 E.A. Hawse Continuous Care Center
10 Carmir, Inc.
Source: Workforce WV
Industrial, Business, and Technology Parks in Hardy County
Name
City
Baker Industrial Park
Baker
Wardensville Industrial Park
Wardensville
Robert C. Byrd-Hardy County Industrial Park
Moorefield
Source: West Virginia Development Office
*Location to nearest interstate or four lane highway.
Miles to
Highway*
30
18
45
Total
Acreage
30
29.46
61.34