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Access to higher education and the intersection of
major north-south and east-west interstate highways fuel
Bannock County’s population and economic growth. The
county has benefited from the growth of research and
energy-related programs at Idaho State University, especially
alternative energy research and subsequent business
activity. The county population rose from 75,565 in
2000 to 82,539 in 2009 as both Bannock County and
southeastern Idaho were being discovered. Further
growth is anticipated.
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This part of the state enjoys a diverse and highly-skilled labor
force with an excellent work ethic. During the last decade, major
business expansions and relocations positively affected
employment in Bannock County.
Over the last decade, construction jobs have increased
dramatically. Much of the construction activity has been
residential building, but major commercial construction
projects have added to this growth as well. The number of
retail jobs have also increased dramatically as established
business grew and new retail businesses moved into the area.
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Labor Force
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2000
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2001
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2002
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2003
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2004
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2005
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2006
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2007
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2008
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2009
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Civilian Work Force:
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38,397
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37,893
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38,622
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39,398
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39,813
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40,193
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40,109
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40,130
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39,611
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39,854
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Unemployed:
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1,764
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1,805
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2,225
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1,968
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1,786
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1,492
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1,258
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1,082
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1,813
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2,766
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Unemployment %:
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4.6%
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4.8%
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5.8%
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5.0%
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4.5%
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3.7%
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3.1%
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2.7%
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4.6%
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6.9%
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The trade and service industries provide nearly half the
jobs in Bannock County. This tends to lower the overall average
of wages in the county because many of these jobs are
food service jobs which are part time and pay the lowest
wages. The comparitively low cost of living in the area
offsets the wage shortcomings.
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Median Income
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1999
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2000
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2001
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2002
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2003
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2004
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2005
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2006
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2007
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2008
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Bannock County:
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$20,416
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$21,275
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$22,278
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$23,067
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$23,667
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$24,920
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$26,039
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$27,256
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$28,511
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$28,902
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State of Idaho:
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$23,269
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$24,683
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$25,647
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$26,015
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$26,451
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$28,425
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$29,606
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$31,598
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$32,837
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$32,994
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United States:
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$28,333
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$30,318
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$31,145
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$31,462
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$32,271
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$33,881
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$35,424
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$37,698
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$39,392
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$40,166
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* Information provided by
Idaho Commerce and Labor
. Both the
2007 Work Force Trends Report
and the
2006 Bannock County Profile
contain more information about population, the local economy and much more.
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