Cocke County Income Charts

This section shows the Cocke County Tennessee economy using the most recent economic analysis from the 2019 Census Bureau. Starting with Figure 1 which shows the median earnings per worker, Cocke County shows it has a median earnings per worker of $31,837 which is the smallest when ranked by median earnings per worker of all the other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest median earnings per worker in the area is Haywood County which shows a median earnings of $40,681 (27.8% larger). Comparing median earnings per worker to the United States average of $47,712, Cocke County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, benchmarked against the state of Tennessee, median earnings per worker of $41,249, Cocke County is approximately three-fourths the size.

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 $33,614 which is the smallest in order of median household income of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest median household income in the area is Haywood County which shows a median income of $49,800 (48.2% larger). Comparing median household income to the United States average of $60,293, Cocke County is approximately half the size. Also, compared to the state of Tennessee, median household income of $50,972, Cocke County is approximately three-fourths the size.

The next section examines a variety of different income statistics for the Cocke County metropolitan area. In Figure 3 we see that it has the smallest proportion of earnings between $50,000 and $74,999 at 13.5% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of earnings of $100,000 more at 2.4% of the total.

Figure 5 has the Average number of hours worked in a typical work week during the year, it has an average hours of 38.3 which is less than most other counties in the local area. The county with the highest average hours in the area is Jefferson County which shows an average hours of 39.6 (only about 3.4% larger). Dividing median annual worker earnings by the average number of hours worked in a year in Figure 6 shows that it has an average hourly earnings of $15.99 which is the smallest when sorted by average hourly earnings of all the other counties in the area. The county with the highest average hourly earnings in the area is Haywood County which depicts an average hourly earnings of $20.22 (26.5% larger). Comparing average hourly earnings to the United States average of $23.71, Cocke County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, in comparison with the state of Tennessee, average hourly earnings of $20.29, Cocke County is approximately three-fourths the size.

Figure 7 examines the number of self employed people in the Cocke County metro area based on the number of people who reported any self employment income. Cocke County indicates it has a percentage of people self employed of 8.0% which is the second smallest in order of percentage of people self employed of all the other counties in the surrounding region. The county with the highest percentage of people self employed in the area is Madison County which depicts a percentage self employed of 15.3% (about twice as large).

Turning our attention to Figure 8, the median household income by age group, has the percentage of median income-under 25 years the second smallest when ranked by median income for those under 25 years of age of all the other counties in the local area at $11,715 of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of median income-25 to 44 years at $35,989 of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of median income-45 to 64 years at $37,004 of the total. Also, it has the smallest proportion of median income-65 years and over at $30,543 of the total.

Figure 9 breaks down the source of income and Cocke County has the largest proportion of social security at 16.5% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of public assistance and ssi at 1.9% 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 households with retirement income of 20.7% which is the second smallest in terms of households with retirement income of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest households with retirement income in the area is Haywood County which depicts a households with retirement income of 28.1% (36.0% larger).

In the next chart, Figure 12, the median family income is shown for families broken down by racial group and has the smallest proportion of overall family income at $42,667 of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of white family income at $43,387 of the total. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of black family income at $38,352 of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Sevier County with $43,734. Also, it has one of the largest proportions of american indian family income at $26,058 of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Hamblen County with $31,607.

Figure 13 shows the cost of living and other consumer spending categories for a variety of cost components from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Cocke County shows it has the hightest cost of 101.4 for the cost of miscellaneous items aggregate.

Cocke 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 disasterous COVID Pandemic the monthly unemployment rate went from 17.0% to 4.7% in March 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 72.4%. Since that time, the monthly unemployment rate has gone to 7.1% This represents an increase in the monthly unemployment rate of 51.1%. 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 depicts that from January 2010 to before the disasterous Coronavirus Pandemic the monthly labor force participation went from 15,747 to 15,094 in March 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of 4.1%. Since that time, the monthly labor force participation has gone to 14,895 This represents a decrease 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 Cocke County shows it has an unemployment rate of 5.4% which is the highest of all counties in the metro area. Figure 17 shows the labor force participation using the estimated percentage of people either working or actively looking for work. Cocke County shows it has a participation rate of 53.6% which is the second smallest in terms of participation rate of all the other counties in the local area.

The Components of Employment Status graph in Figure 18 shows the composition of the labor force broken down by employed, unemployed, and not in the labor force (but 16 years of age or older). Cocke County has the smallest proportion of employed at 48.3% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of unemployed at 5.4% of the total and is ranked #1.

The percentage of full-time workers are compared to the number of part-time workers in Figure 19. Cocke County shows full time employees approximately 3.3 times bigger 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 Cocke County area. Cocke County shows it has a families with a single earner of 30.1% which is the third most of all other counties in the local area. The county with the highest families with a single earner in the area is Hamblen County which depicts a single earners rate of 31.6% (only about 5.1% larger). The percentage of families with no one working is depicted in Figure 22. Cocke County shows it has a families with no one working of 28.8% which is ranked #1 of all counties in the greater Cocke County region.

Cocke County Poverty Charts

The next section details economy analysis about poverty for residents of the Cocke 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. Cocke County shows it has a total people earning less than the poverty level of 8,700 which is in the mid range of other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest total people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Sevier County which depicts a total people earning less than the poverty level of 14,281 (64.1% larger).

In Figure 24 the percentage of people earning less than the poverty level is shown and compared across the group of places. Cocke County shows it has a percent of people earning less than the poverty level of 24.9% which is more than all other counties in the metro area.

In Figure 25 people who are in poverty are broken out by age group. Cocke County has the largest proportion of person in poverty 12 to 17 years at 12% of the total and is ranked #1.

The next chart, Figure 26, shows the percentage of people in poverty by racial group. Cocke County has the largest proportion of white poverty rate at 25% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of black poverty rate at 39% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Madison County (39%), and #1 Hamblen County (42%) are larger. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of american indian poverty rate at 49% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Jefferson County with 56%. Also, it has one of the largest proportions of hispanicp poverty rate at 43% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Hamblen County with 51%.

Figure 27 shows key poverty statistics for groups based on marriage status. Cocke County has the largest proportion of married with children and in poverty at 25% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of unmarried with children and in poverty at 53% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of unmarried female with children and in poverty at 58% of the total and is ranked #1.

The next chart looks at the percentage of people in poverty based on their education level in Figure 28 marriage status. Cocke County has the largest proportion of highschool graduate and in poverty at 22% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of college graduate and in poverty at 9% of the total and is ranked #1. Figure 29 looks at only those people who make less than the poverty level of income and breaks down there employment status. Cocke County has the smallest proportion of people who are in poverty and employed at 13.1% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of people who are in poverty and unemployed at 6.8% of the total and is ranked #1. 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.) Cocke County shows it has a households with public assistance of 25.4% which is more than all other counties in the greater Cocke County region.

Figure 31 shows the "Gini Index of Income Inequality" with a range from zero (perfect equality) to one (perfect inequality). Cocke County shows it has a the gini index of 48.5% which is more than all other counties in the greater Cocke County region.

Cocke 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 Cocke 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.) Cocke County has the largest proportion of people who drive a car or motorcycle to work at 97% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of people who work at home at 2% of the total. Figure 33 shows a more detailed view of how the population commutes to work for (for example to downtown Cocke County or elsewhere.) Cocke County has the smallest proportion of people who work at home at 2% of the total.

In Figure 35 is shown a frequency distribution of the time that people leave for work. Cocke County has one of the largest proportions of people who leave for work between 12am to 5am at 6% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Greene County with 6%. Second, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 7am to 730am at 12% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 830 am to 9am at 2% of the total. Also, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 12noon to 4pm at 12% of the total and is ranked #1.

The next graph in Figure 36 shows the average number of minutes that it takes for people to commute to work. Cocke County has one of the largest proportions of people with commute time between 5 to 9 minutes at 12% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Hamblen County with 15%. Second, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 20 to 24 minutes at 10% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 45 to 59 minutes at 13% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 60 to 89 minutes at 8% of the total and is ranked #1.

The average commute time is shown in Figure 37. Cocke County shows it has an average commute time of 28 which is the second most of all the counties in the local area. Figure 38 shows the difference between male versus female commuting time. Cocke County depicts average commute time in minutes for men 16.5% larger as the average commute time in minutes for women. Figure 40 shows the total number of vehicles available for transportation and Cocke County has the largest proportion of 1 vehicle available at 19% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of 2 vehicles available at 30% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of 3 vehicles available at 28% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has one of the largest proportions of 5 or more vehicles available at 9% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Madison County with 11%. Figure 41 shows the percentage of people who both work and live in the same city (town or place.) Cocke County shows it has a people who both work and live in the same city of 57% which is the second most of all the counties in the greater region. The county with the highest people who both work and live in the same city in the area is Hamblen County which shows a people who both work and live in the same city of 74% (30.4% larger). Comparing people who both work and live in the same city to the United States average of 42%, Cocke County is 35.2% larger. Also, benchmarked against the state of Tennessee, people who both work and live in the same city of 57%, Cocke County is about the same size.

Cocke 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. Cocke County depicts it has the hightest median earnings of $70,078 for the earnings-computer, engineering, and science occupations category. Similarly, Figure 47 shows the median earnings of women for the job categories and Cocke County shows it has the hightest median earnings of $50,550 for the management, business, and financial occupations classification. The table in Figure 48, shows Cocke County employment data in terms of job categories and salary data.

Cocke 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. Cocke County depicts it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 31% for the self employed in production, transportation, and material moving businesses group.

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. Cocke County shows it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 42% for the self employed in construction aggregate.

In Figure 51 the average annual self employment/entrepreneur income is shown. Cocke County shows it has an average annual self employment income of $27,468 which is in the mid range of other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest average annual self employment income in the area is Jefferson County which depicts an average annual self employment income of $39,399 (43.4% larger). Comparing average annual self employment income to the United States average of $37,819, Cocke County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, benchmarked against the state of Tennessee, average annual self employment income of $37,481, Cocke County is approximately three-fourths the size.

Figure 52 shows the difference between the number of self employed men and self employed women (i.e. entrepreneurs.) Cocke County shows total number of self-employed men only slightly larger as the total number of self-employed women.