Economy Profile

Jefferson County

TSAC-CFD-01073

Snapshot

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GDP (2022, Thousands)
$ 57865866
AVG Real Growth (2017-2022)
1.76 %
Unemployment Rate (May, 2024)
3.1 %
Labor Force Size
332111
Number of Businesses
22427
Average Annual Wage
$ 69230

Economy Structure

Population & Household section gives reader an outlook. of general population profile, structure, and outlook.

GDP

Jefferson County, Alabama, boasts an annual GDP of approximately 57.9 billion dollars, with a GDP per capita of 86,076 dollars, significantly higher than the state average of 55,999 dollars. The county's GDP growth rate for the past year stands at 1.7%, mirroring the state's growth but slightly below the national rate of 1.9%. Over the past 13 years, Jefferson County has experienced a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.76%, which is comparable to Alabama's 1.72%. The service sector dominates the county's economy, contributing 74.7% to its GDP, reflecting a trend seen across Alabama, where services account for 62.3%. In contrast, Jefferson County's goods-producing sector is relatively smaller at 12.8%, indicating a shift towards a service-oriented economy, which is consistent with national trends. Overall, Jefferson County stands out as a key economic player in Alabama, with a robust per capita income and a stable growth trajectory.

GDP (2022, Thousands)
$ 57865866
GDP Per Capita
$ 86076
GDP Growth Rate (2022)
1.7 %
Average Growth Rate (2017-2022)
1.76 %
Goods Producing Contribution (%)
12.8%
Service Providing Contribution (%)
74.7%
Goverment Contribution
12.5%
GDP Historical Growth Rate
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis | CAGDP2, CAGDP11
GDP by Sectors
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis | CAGDP2, CAGDP11
GDP Growth by Sectors
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis | CAGDP11

Monthly Employment

Total Labor Force
332111
Labor Force Growth
1.47%
Unemployment
10188
Unemployment Rate
3.1%
Unemployment Rate
Source: Census.gov | S2301

Employment Profile

Jefferson County, AL, exhibits a relatively strong employment landscape, with an employment rate of 71.8% for individuals aged 20-64, surpassing the state average of 68.7% but falling short of the national average of 73.8%. Notably, the county's employment rate for those with a Bachelor's degree is impressive at 84.4%, slightly above Alabama's 82.6% and comparable to the national figure of 84.3%. However, the county's employment rate for high school graduates (63%) is lower than both the state (63.3%) and national averages (67.9%). The employment rate for Black residents in Jefferson County (55%) is also higher than Alabama's average (52.5%) but lower than the national average (57.2%). Overall, Jefferson County demonstrates a robust educational impact on employment, yet it faces challenges in high school graduate employment compared to broader benchmarks.

Employment Rate (20-64 y.o.)
71.8%
Employment Rate (with Bachelor's Degree)
84.4%
Employment Rate (75+ y.o.)
7.1%
Employment Rate (Black)
55%
Employment Rate (Female)
68.4%
Employment Rate by Segment
Source: Census.gov | S2301
Employent Rate Comparison
Source: Census.gov | S2301

Employment by Sectors

Number of Companies
22427
Number of Employment
362788
Annual Average Wages
$ 69230
Wage CAGR (2010-2022)
Goods-producing (avg pay)
$ 84424
Service-providing (avg pay)
$ 66540
Historical Annual Average Wage
Source: BLS
Number of Establishments
Source: BLS
Company Indicators
Source: BLS

Income

Jefferson County, AL, exhibits a mean household income of $63,595 and a median household income of $93,745, which are notably higher than the state averages of $59,609 and $82,992, respectively. However, both figures fall short of the national averages of $75,149 and $105,833. The county's income per capita stands at $38,224, indicating a moderate economic standing compared to Alabama's $33,344. Jefferson County's income inequality, as measured by the Gini index at 0.5049, is higher than the state average of 0.4797, suggesting a more pronounced disparity in income distribution. In comparison to other counties in Alabama, Jefferson County ranks favorably in income metrics, though it still faces challenges with income inequality, reflecting broader economic trends within the state.

Household Income (Mean)
$ 63595
Household Income (Median)
$ 93745
Per Capita Income
$ 38224
Per Capita Income Growth (2010-2022)
44.1 %
Gini Index
0.5049*
Poverty Rate
15.9 %
Per Capita Income
Source: Census.gov | B19301
Income Distribution by Household
Source: Census.gov