Counties in Profile: Hot Springs, page 2

   Chart 3: Total Employment, 1969-1999

Chart 3 highlights employment in Hot Springs 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 in Hot Springs county during this period has been relatively stable with a slight increase seen in the 1990's. Overall job growth was 30% or 1.0% annually. This compares with the statewide value of 104% or 3.2% annually

Chart 4: Population, 1969-1999

Chart 4 shows the population for Hot Springs county. Where employment for the period shows slight growth, population shows a slight decline. The population in 1969 was 4,863 and by 1999 had declined to just 4,475. The peak year was 1984 with 6,020 residents. Overall, this represents a 7.98% decrease or a (negative) growth rate of -0.26 % per year.