Henderson County: ● Individuals through organizations and community groups ● 22 Focus Groups Polk County ● Individuals through organizations and community groups ● Individuals through community events, library computer rooms, fundraisers, farmers’ markets, etc.

The Sampling: 2003 AgesIncomes Race and Ethnicity mirrored Census projections.

COMMUNITY SURVEYS  Average hourly wage$ 8.92  Average annual income$18,553  Affordability of housing (30%)$ 5,566 $ /mo for rent + utilities or PITI  FMR (Fair Market Rent) for 2 bedroom  Henderson$694  Polk$678  Transylvania$773 A VIEW from NC EMPLOYMENT SECURITY COMMISSION July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2010

COMMUNITY SURVEYS  Average hourly wage$ 8.92  Average annual income$18,553  More than 1/3 of wage earners are low-income by poverty standards even though median income may be reflected in the $45,000 - $50,000 range due to high percentage of retirees (nearly 25%) who bring imported wealth to our counties. A VIEW from NC EMPLOYMENT SECURITY COMMISSION July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2010

 1038 respondents are EMPLOYED ◦ Which is 83% of all Workforce respondents ◦ 62% of all respondents  210 respondents are UNEMPLOYED ◦ 17% of all Workforce Respondents ◦ 10% of all respondents

The Workforce: 1248 AgesIncomes

 Married: Single2:1  <high school diploma10%  High School diploma or GED13%  Training Certificate or some college 22%  Associates’ Degree (AA) 11%  Bachelor’s Degree (BA/BS) 26%  Advance degrees (MA+) 17%

EMPLOYEDUNEMPLOYED Education  <high school diploma 6%  High School/GED 10%  Certificate or some college 22%  AA 12%  BA/BS 30%  MA + 20% Education  <high school diploma 30%  High School/GED 32%  Certificate or some college 23%  AA 6%  BA/BS 4%  MA + 4%

EMPLOYEDUNEMPLOYED Health Insurance  Have Insurance 83%  Private Insurance 84%  Gov’t sponsored 11%  Children have ins 48%  Children’s insurance ◦ Private 62% ◦ Gov’t Sponsored 38% Health Insurance  Have Insurance 42%  Private Insurance 19%  Gov’t sponsored 33%  Children have ins 45%  Children’s insurance ◦ Private 7% ◦ Gov’t Sponsored 93%

EMPLOYEDUNEMPLOYED Job Searching  35% of EMPLOYED households went job hunting because someone in household lost a job or are seeking a new job  Found a job 53%  Sought training 9% Job Searching  68% of UNEMPLOYED households went job hunting because someone in household lost a job or are seeking a new job  Found a job 8%  Sought training 15%

EMPLOYEDUNEMPLOYED Hardships  Buying groceries ◦ minor problem 37% ◦ Major problem 12%  Gone w/o a meal 65  Housing fair-poor 163  Financial crisis 21%  Missed rent, mortgage or utility payment 24% Hardships  Buying groceries ◦ Minor problem 42% ◦ Major problem 34% Gone w/o a meal 60 Housing fair-poor 70 Financial crisis 71% Missed rent, mortgage or utility payment 59%

THE EMPLOYED  What did they say that was different from all respondents?  18.5% of EMPLOYED respondents have a behavioral (mental health) problem at home  Time off from work second largest barrier to health care; cost was #1 and was true of all respondents  Discrimination ranking for EMPLOYED: (1) race/ethnicity, (2) gender, (3) age

THE UNEMPLOYED  What did they say that was different from all respondents?  56% of UNEMPLOYED have a behavioral problem (mental health) at home.  Barrier to health care: Cost #1then transportation  Discrimination ranking of UNEMPLOYED: (1) race/ethnicity, (2) age, (3) gender

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