Ten Years of Change in the Humboldt County Economy The Index of Economic Activity for Humboldt County Prof. Erick Eschker and Jessica Digiambattista

Celebrating 10 Years--The Index of Economic Activity for Humboldt County Professor Erick Eschker, Chair of the Department of Economics Jessica Digiambattista, student assistant editor Garrett Perks and Andrea Walters, student assistant analysts Founded by Prof. Steve Hackett and Prof. Tim Yeager Six previous student assistants

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What is the Index? The only monthly source of broad-based economic indicators for Humboldt County Extremely timely--most data are from the previous month Leading indicators Data since January 1994

What is the Index? Tracks six sectors of the economy: Home sales Retail sales Energy consumption Occupancy rates at hotels/motels/inns Employment Lumber manufacturing

What does an Index tell us? Seasonally adjusted--Units are not dollars Index numbers are relative to the base period (January 1994=100) Useful for determining percent change Dow Jones Industrial Average example

Readership Available about the 5 th of each month Steady growth in readership 95% of readers from outside HSU us to join our mailing list

Index Budget

Index projects in New website New layout Local Spotlight interviews Gasoline prices in Humboldt County

Potential projects Housing sales predictor Form “historical” Index back to 1960 Expansion of retail sector New service sector Depends upon continued support from existing and new sponsors!

Demographic Changes According to the U.S. Census Bureau: Humboldt County population has grown 6.2 percent from 1990 to California state population has grown 13.8 percent in the same time.

Demographic Changes In Humboldt County the number of households with social security income has grown 9.4 percent from 1990 to Throughout the state this change has been 12.7 percent.

Demographic Changes In Humboldt County the number of households with retirement income has grown 10 percent from 1990 to Throughout the state this number has grown 14.5 percent.

Home Sales Based on the number of homes that sell in Humboldt County each month. Measure is adjusted for seasonal variation. Quality of the data is very high.

Changes and Trends Home sales index has increased by 32 percent since 1994.

Changes and Trends Median home prices have increased 97 percent, from $ to $

Analysis Home sales began increasing before the drop in interest rates. Local sales have followed the upward trends seen at the state and national levels.

Projections Housing affordability will become more problematic if housing prices continue to rise faster than incomes. Some economists speculate there is a housing bubble.

Retail Sector Based on seasonally adjusted sales at a range of local retail businesses. Measures spending on final goods and services.

Accuracy of the Retail Sales Index

Retail Sector Trends From 1994 – 2004 the retail sales index has increased 40 percent.

National Retail Trends Retail sales increased 58 percent from 1994 – 2003.

Analysis Local retail sector did not follow the national trends during the early 1990’s. More recently local retail has reflected the national trends.

Projections Consumer confidence is currently high. EDD predicts that employment in the retail trade sector will increase by 700 jobs from 2001 to 2008.

Electricity Consumption Based on seasonally adjusted electricity consumption. Measures kilowatt hours of electricity used in Humboldt County.

Quality of the Data Correlation between the index and the actual consumption is 100%. Data are only received quarterly.

Changes and Trends From 1993 – 2004 electricity consumption has increased by 16 percent.

State Level Trends Statewide electricity consumption from 1994 – 2001 increased by 10 percent.

Analysis Local electricity consumption has followed statewide trends. Both increased rapidly in the late 1990’s, then dropped sharply with the onset of the energy crisis. Recent data show local consumption is again trending upward.

Projections The state electricity forecast predicts that consumption will increase through 2007.

Hospitality Sector Based on seasonally adjusted average occupancy each month at a cross section of local hotels, motels and inns A measure of the number of tourists who visit the North Coast Quality of data is very good

Very similar to series generated by the CA Division of Tourism:

Unchanged Drop in occupancy starting in 2002

Tourism Jobs flat since 1992 (confirms Index data)

U.S. Hotel and Lodging Industry Income rising since 1994

New rooms added, so drop in occupancy rate may not indicate decreased visitors (9% increase in rooms since 2001) However, Index fell by 17%, so fewer visitors since 2001

Humboldt County Hospitality Unchanged Drop in occupancy starting in 2002 Explanations Recent Recession (but why no increase during late 1990s boom?) Higher gas prices starting 1999? 9/11

Hospitality Sector Projections Depends on people’s willingness to travel Depends on easy access to Humboldt County EDD predicts employment in Hospitality increasing 22% from 2001 to 2008.

Employment Sector Based on seasonally adjusted total county employment as reported by the Employment Development Department We report which sectors gained jobs and which sectors lost jobs Quality of data is excellent

Employment peaked 2000 and began mild recovery in 2002 (same as nationally)

U.S. Employment Level (dominated by upward trend)

Only 5% increase in Employment since 1994 (almost 15% nationally) However, national population is growing much faster

Unemployment rate fell until 2001 then rose Unemployment rate higher than state/national during boom, and similar during recession

No relative change in labor markets within Humboldt County

EDD projects 5.7% growth in employment

Manufacturing Sector Based on payroll employment and board feet of lumber production at county lumber companies Lumber-based manufacturing generates 60 percent of total county manufacturing employment Manufacturing is about 8 percent of total county employment Quality of data is very good, but is only a fair representation of overall manufacturing

Lumber manufacturing peaked 1997

Similar to County Timber Harvest

Similar to total county manufacturing employment (EDD)

Decline in payroll began later (2000)

Just as U.S. Total Manufacturing Industry Income peaked in 2000 (BEA)

Manufacturing Sector Projections EDD predicts employment in total manufacturing will decrease by 300 jobs (5.7%) from 2001 to EDD predicts employment in lumber & wood products and sawmills will decrease by 800 jobs (13%) from 2001 to 2008.

Composite Index Measure of overall economic activity Weighted combination of the six sectors:

Index peaked in 2000, bottomed out in 2002 Less than 10% growth since 1994

U.S. Real GDP is 30% higher since 1994

U.S. Real per capita GDP is 20% higher since 1994

During 1990s boom, California incomes grew relative to the U.S.

During 1990s boom, Humboldt County incomes fell relative to the U.S.

Humboldt County Economy More steady than national/state economy: Grew less during Boom, fell less during Recession Similar pattern to rural U.S.: Sharpest decline in Manufacturing Uneven record in Hospitality, Energy Largest gains in Retail/Housing

Humboldt County Economy 10-year Projections Aging of constant total population Continued declines in Manufacturing Increases in Services (low and high value added) Vulnerable to government budget reductions Cooling in Housing market Moderate overall growth