Some Nasty Statisitcs

The U.S. Census Bureau has released a report about the Greater Cleveland area showing some startling (to some) statistics from 2000 to 2006. The basic report, published in the Plain Dealer, covers the eight county metro area. During the time frame, we have lost 45,500 manufacturing jobs, 7750 retail jobs, 5600 public administration jobs, and 4500 info technology jobs. There were gains in employment, listed only in percentages, of 14.3% in finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing; 10.8% in educational services, 9.9% arts, entertainment, recreation, food services and accommodations, and a 6.2% gain in the self-employed. The most disturbing statistic shows the median household income in 2006 declined by $6367 compared to 2000!!! Folks, that is a tremendous drop! All family income levels above $50,000 per year dropped, with the largest decline coming in the $75,000 to $99,999 bracket, which showed a drop of more than 25,000. All family income levels below $50,000 increased, with the largest increase, nearly 22,000, coming in the $10,000 to $14,999 bracket, followed by an increase of 16,402 in the $15,000 to $24,999 bracket, and an increase of 12,746 in households earning less than $10,000.