Towns County Income Charts

This section shows the Towns County Georgia economy using the most recent economic analysis from the 2021 Census Bureau. Starting with Figure 1 which shows the median earnings per worker, Towns County depicts it has a Median earnings of $37,705 which is less than most other counties in the local area. The county with the highest median earnings per worker in the area is Clay County which depicts a median earnings of $41,590 (10.3% larger). Comparing median earnings per worker to the United States average of $50,459, Towns County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, measured against the state of Georgia, median earnings per worker of $46,648, Towns County is about 23.7% smaller.

In Figure 2 a more complete view of income is shown which aggregates income from all members in the household and it has a Median household income of $51,257 which is the third most median income of all other counties in the greater Towns County region. The county with the highest median household income in the area is White County which depicts a median income of $55,788 (8.8% larger). Comparing median household income to the United States average of $64,994, Towns County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, versus the state of Georgia, median household income of $61,224, Towns County is about 19.4% smaller.

The next section examines a variety of different income statistics for the Towns County metropolitan area. In Figure 3 we see that it it has the largest proportion of earnings less than $10,000 at 11.6% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of earnings between $15,000 and $19,999 at 28.8% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of earnings between $20,000 and $49,999 at 13.8% of the total.

Figure 5 has the Average number of hours worked in a typical work week during the year, it has a Avg Hours Worked of 36.1 which is the smallest as measured by average hours of all the other counties in the metropolitan area. The county with the highest average hours in the area is Cherokee County which shows an average hours of 39.3 (8.9% larger). Dividing median annual worker earnings by the average number of hours worked in a year in Figure 6 shows that it has a Avg Hrly Earnings of $20.09 which is in the mid range of other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest average hourly earnings in the area is Clay County which depicts an average hourly earnings of $20.72 (only about 3.2% larger). Comparing average hourly earnings to the United States average of $25.01, Towns County is about 24.5% smaller. Also, measured against the state of Georgia, average hourly earnings of $22.77, Towns County is about 13.4% smaller.

Figure 7 examines the number of self employed people in the Towns County metro area based on the number of people who reported any self employment income. Towns County depicts it has a Self Employed of 11.7% which is the third most people self employed of all other counties in the greater Towns County region. The county with the highest percentage of people self employed in the area is White County which depicts a percentage self employed of 14.6% (25.1% larger).

Turning our attention to Figure 8, the median household income by age group, it has one of the largest proportions of median income-under 25 years at $52,857 of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 White County ($56,240), and #1 Habersham County ($56,931) are larger. Second, it has in the mid point range of other counties in the area in order of median income-25 to 44 years at $53,639 of the total. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of median income-45 to 64 years at $46,585 of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 White County ($48,229), and #1 Clay County ($48,750) are larger.

Figure 9 breaks down the source of income and Towns County has the smallest proportion of income from wages at 3.8% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of investment and retirement income at 20.1% of the total and is ranked #1.

The next chart (Figure 11) shows the percentage of households that had retirement income over the last 12 months and it has a With Retirement Income of 35.6% which is more than all other counties in the surrounding region.

In the next chart, Figure 12, the median family income is shown for families broken down by racial group and has the percentage of overall family income in the center range of other counties in the metro area at $60,185 of the total. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of hawaiian family income at $21,213 of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Habersham County with $60,496.

Figure 13 shows the cost of living and other consumer spending categories for a variety of cost components from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Towns County shows it has the hightest cost of 103.4 for the cost of grocery items aggregate.

Towns County Labor Force Charts

The next two charts look at very recent, monthly trended employment related performance using data estimated by economists at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS tracks unemployment statistics for a large number of areas throughout the country on a month to month basis. However, not every location in the U.S. is tracked by the BLS so the chart will only show the closest location available (which may be the same location.) Figure 14 shows the monthly unemployment rate for the area as well as a comparison to the overall national economy measure for the United States. Note that in March to April 2020, the Covid 19 recession or great recession occurred and affects this metric. . It shows that from January 2010 to before the Wuhan virus Pandemic the monthly unemployment rate went from 14.0% to 4.9% in March 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 65.0%. Since that time, the monthly unemployment rate has gone to 2.5% This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 49.0%. In Figure 15 the monthly labor force participation which are people actively looking for work are also defined as unemployed but do not include people who have given up looking for work. . It shows that from January 2010 to before the disasterous Covid-19 virus Pandemic the monthly labor force participation went from 4,455 to 3,950 in March 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of 11.3%. Since that time, the monthly labor force participation has gone to 3,999 This represents an increase in the monthly labor force participation of very little.

The next two charts look at the annual unemployment rate/eligible for unemployment benefits and is based on the American Community survey. Figure 16 shows Towns County depicts it has a Unemployment Rate of 1.8% which is less than most other counties in the area. The county with the highest unemployment rate in the area is Cherokee County which depicts a rate of 2.3% (27.4% larger). Figure 17 shows the labor force participation using the estimated percentage of people either working or actively looking for work. Towns County depicts it has a Labor Force Participation of 44.3% which is the second smallest when ranked by participation rate of all the other counties in the metro area.

The percentage of full-time workers are compared to the number of part-time workers in Figure 19. Towns County depicts full time employees about twice as large as the part time employees.

The next employment related data item is shown in Figure 21 which is the percentage of families with only a single earner in the greater Towns County area. Towns County depicts it has a Single Earner Families of 26.9% which is the third most of all other counties in the metropolitan area. The county with the highest families with a single earner in the area is Union County which shows a single earners rate of 31.2% (16.2% larger). The percentage of families with no one working is depicted in Figure 22. Towns County depicts it has a Families with No One Working of 40.1% which is ranked #1 of all counties in the greater Towns County region.

Towns County Poverty Charts

The next section details economy analysis about poverty for residents of the Towns County community. This performance can be enhanced by government programs such as economic opportunity zone to influence manufacturing, job growth, economic opportunity an hopefully lead to economic recovery after the recent Covid 19 recession. In Figure 23 the total number of people earning less than the poverty level are shown. Towns County shows it has a Total In Poverty of 1,397 which is the smallest in terms of total people earning less than the poverty level of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest total people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Habersham County which depicts a total people earning less than the poverty level of 5,841 (approximately 4.2 times bigger).

In Figure 24 the percentage of people earning less than the poverty level is shown and compared across the group of places. Towns County shows it has a Percent of Population In Poverty of 12.8% which is the second smallest when sorted by percent of people earning less than the poverty level of all the other counties in the metropolitan area. The county with the highest percent of people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Rabun County which depicts a percent of people in poverty of 19.9% (55.6% larger).

In Figure 25 people who are in poverty are broken out by age group. Towns County has the smallest proportion of person in poverty under 12 years at 4% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of person in poverty 18 to 34 years at 15% of the total. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of person in poverty 55 to 64 years at 27% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Clay County with 27%.

The next chart, Figure 26, shows the percentage of people in poverty by racial group. Towns County has one of the largest proportions of black poverty rate at 55% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Union County with 100%. Second, it has less than most other counties in the metro area as measured by hawaiian poverty rate at 15% of the total.

Figure 27 shows key poverty statistics for groups based on marriage status. Towns County has the percentage of married with children and in poverty the second smallest when sorted by married with children and in poverty of all the other counties in the metro area at 29% of the total. Second, it has the second smallest as measured by married with children and in poverty of all the other counties in the greater region as measured by unmarried with children and in poverty at 33% of the total. Additionally, Figure 30 looks at the percentage of people who receive some form of public assistance including general assistance, temporary assistance or food stamps (i.e. SNAP.) Towns County shows it has a Public Assistance Percent of 8.4% which is the smallest when sorted by households with public assistance of all the other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest households with public assistance in the area is Rabun County which depicts a households with public assistance of 13.8% (63.7% larger).

Figure 31 shows the "Gini Index of Income Inequality" with a range from zero (perfect equality) to one (perfect inequality). Towns County depicts it has a Gini Index of 43.3% which is in the center range of other counties in the surrounding region.

Towns County Work Commute Charts

The following set of charts detail a variety of metrics that have economic impact, economic grow factors and economic development metrics in the Towns County community and has an impact on other factors such as economic growth, population growth, economic recovery, job growth, etc.. Figure 32 shows a high level view of how the population commutes to work (including the percent of people who work from home.) Towns County has the smallest proportion of people who bicycle or walk to work at 4% of the total. Figure 33 shows a more detailed view of how the population commutes to work for (for example to downtown Towns County or elsewhere.) Towns County has the largest proportion of people who take the Long-distance train or commuter rail at 0% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of people who work from home at 4% of the total.

In Figure 35 is shown a frequency distribution of the time that people leave for work. Towns County has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 6am to 630am at 4% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 730 am to 8am at 13% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 10am to 11am at 0% of the total.

The next graph in Figure 36 shows the average number of minutes that it takes for people to commute to work. Towns County has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 5 to 9 minutes at 26% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 15 to 19 minutes at 11% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 35 to 39 minutes at 1% of the total. Also, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 45 to 59 minutes at 2% of the total.

The average commute time is shown in Figure 37. Towns County depicts it has a Avg Commute Time of 22 which is the smallest when ranked by average commute time of all the other counties in the surrounding region. Figure 38 shows the difference between male versus female commuting time. Towns County depicts average commute time in minutes for men about twice as large as the average commute time in minutes for women. Figure 40 shows the total number of vehicles available for transportation and Towns County has the smallest proportion of no vehicle available at 13% of the total. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of 1 vehicle available at 46% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Clay County with 46%. Third, it has the second smallest in terms of no vehicle available of all the other counties in the area in terms of 3 vehicles available at 7% of the total. Figure 41 shows the percentage of people who both work and live in the same city (town or place.) Towns County shows it has a Work in city or place where live of 43% which is the second most people who both work and live in the same city of all the counties in the greater Towns County region. The county with the highest people who both work and live in the same city in the area is Union County which depicts a people who both work and live in the same city of 56% (29.7% larger). Comparing people who both work and live in the same city to the United States average of 43%, Towns County is about the same size. Also, measured against the state of Georgia, people who both work and live in the same city of 41%, Towns County is only about 4.8% larger.

Towns County Jobs Charts

The next to charts break out the median earnings for major job categories for men and women. Figure 46 shows the median earnings of men for the job categories. Towns County shows it has the hightest median earnings of $116,875 for the earnings-healthcare practitioners and tech occupations category. Similarly, Figure 47 shows the median earnings of women for the job categories and Towns County depicts it has the hightest median earnings of $89,531 for the earnings-healthcare practitioners and tech occupations aggregate. The table in Figure 48, shows Towns County employment data in terms of job categories and salary data.

Towns County Self Employment Charts

Figure 49 shows economic activity in terms of the number of people who are self employed in incorporated local business by industry. Towns County depicts it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 60% for the self employed management, business, science, and arts businesses classification.

Similar to the last chart is Figure 50 which shows the number of people who are self employed but in more detailed industry categories such as manufacturing, retail sales, residential real estate, commercial real estate, health care, exports/imports, and advanced industries, etc. Towns County depicts it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 52% for the self employed in professional, scientific, management, administrative services classification.

In Figure 51 the average annual self employment/entrepreneur income is shown. Towns County shows it has a Self Employment Income of $21,378 which is the smallest when sorted by average annual self employment income of all the other counties in the metropolitan area. The county with the highest average annual self employment income in the area is Rabun County which depicts an average annual self employment income of $75,346 (approximately 3.5 times bigger). Comparing average annual self employment income to the United States average of $40,101, Towns County is approximately half the size. Also, in contrast to the state of Georgia, average annual self employment income of $38,234, Towns County is approximately half the size.

Figure 52 shows the difference between the number of self employed men and self employed women (i.e. entrepreneurs.) Towns County depicts total number of self-employed men approximately 3.1 times bigger as the total number of self-employed women.