Counties in Profile: Crook, page 2

   Chart 3: Total Employment, 1969-1999

Chart 3 highlights employment in Crook County. Employment is one of the most commonly used measures of health in a community. It gives a quick snap shot of the percentage of the population working and whether more or less jobs are available over time. The chart above shows "total employment" which includes both full and part-time jobs. Employment during this period  has increased slowly but steadily with a dip in the late 1980's. Overall job growth was 67% or 2.2% annually. This compares with the statewide value of 104% or 3.3% annually

Chart 4: Population, 1969-1999

Chart 4 shows the population for Crook county. Population rose in the late 1970's and peaked in 1984 with 5,813 residents. This was followed by a decline throughout the rest of the decade. Population in the 1990's has been stable to increasing slightly to 5,778 residents in 1999. The reasons for the population changes may be related to changes in the energy industry and shifts in land use toward recreational usage.