County workforce shrinks

RITZVILLE – Adams County’s labor force is getting smaller, but fewer people are unemployed.

State Regional Labor Economist Donald Meseck recently released a report analyzing the changes in the Adams County labor market between 2022 and 2023.

According to the report, Adams County’s unemployment rate fell by 0.01% December 2022 and December 2023. Looking at the county’s non-farm economy, the report noted that 160 new jobs were added in 2023, advancing to 6,630 from the 6,470 jobs recorded in 2022, an average annual increase of 2.5%.

The report further stated that although the state’s total civilian labor force increased by 68,190 residents between 2022 and 2023, Adams County’s decreased by 4.7% between 2022 (10,118 residents) and 2023 (9,642 residents).

The decline resulted, in part, from a decrease in the number of residents in Adams County’s civilian labor force from 9,680 residents in December 2022 to 8,944 in December 2023. However, the number of unemployed shrank — 158 fewer county residents were out of work in December 2023 than in December 2022.

According to the report, total non-farm employment in Adams County in 2019 (pre-COVID) averaged 6,020 jobs. During the heyday of pandemic-related shutdowns in 2020, average annual non-farm employment dropped 100 jobs and by 1.7% to 5,920.

Employment bounced back strongly in 2021 to 6,160 jobs countywide (up 4.1%), the report said. Average annual non-farm employment jumped again in 2022 to 6,470 jobs countywide (up 5.0%), and in 2023 to 6,630 jobs (up 2.5%).

On an average annual basis, two industries accounted for more than half (56.3%) of the 160 new non-farm jobs generated in the county in 2023. Manufacturing netted 50 new jobs and government averaged 40 new jobs in 2023.

Year-over-year, employment in Adams County’s retail trade industry either stabilized or increased from March through December 2023.

There were 780 retail trade jobs (motor vehicle and parts dealers, building material and garden supply stores, food and beverage stores, gasoline stations, etc.) countywide in December 2023, a 2.6% advance from the 760 jobs provided in December 2022, the report said.

The report’s analysis of employment and wages for employees covered by the state Employment Security Act — frequently termed “covered” data — indicated positive trends on the agricultural employment front.

In 2012, Adams County’s agricultural industry accounted for 24.3% of total covered employment, the report said. In 2022, agricultural employment accounted for 31.3% of total covered employment countywide.

Hence, Adams County’s agricultural share of covered employment jumped 7.0% during this 10-year period.