December 2016 Quarterly Economic Update
The December 2016 Regional Quarterly Economic Update, based on data released by the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (Q2 2016), is now available HERE and on NWCCOG EDD’s website HERE. There is also some demographic information in the report from the most up-to-date population estimates and forecasts provided by the State of Colorado Demography Office. Here are some highlights:
Jobs: +1.4%
Wages: +2.9%
Jobs in Key Industry Sub-Sectors: Manufacturing (+8.6%); Professional, Technical, Scientific (+5.1%); Healthcare (+3.2%)
Highest-paying sector: Finance & Insurance (average annual wage $75,985)
Lowest-paying sector: Accommodations & Food Services (avg. annual wage $26,343)
Regional Population (all 5 counties): 117,691
Population Change – last 5 years (2010-2015): +3.7%
Forecast for regional population growth – next 10 years: +25%
Fastest growing town in the region: Town of Silverthorne (+12.5% growth in last 5 years)

Thanks to the Northwest Colorado Council of Governments for this information