Counties in Profile: Weston, page 2

   Chart 3: Total Employment, 1969-1999

Chart 3 highlights employment in Weston 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 Weston county during this period has been trending upwards slightly with a slight hump seen from the mid-1970's to the mid-1980's. Overall job growth was 50% or 1.6% annually. This compares with the statewide value of 104% or 3.2% annually

Chart 4: Population, 1969-1999

Chart 4 shows the population for Weston county. With the exception for the hump produced by the energy production years, the population in Weston county has been extremely stable. In 1969 was 6,235 and by 1999 had increased slightly to 6,403 residents. This represents a 2.69% increase or an annual growth rate of  just 0.09% per year. The peak year was 1984 with 7,853 residents. Note that although employment numbers are trending upwards (chart 3) population has remained stable (chart 4). This indicates that either more non-residents working in the county or a higher percentage of county residents are working.