Collin County Leads Nation in Employment Growth

Compared to a national growth rate of 2.2 percent, Collin County, Texas showed a 7.8 percent year-to-year increase in employment according to figures released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Among the 325 largest counties in the U.S., with an employment base of 75,000 or more, Collin County had the largest percentage gain.

Other counties rounding out the top five in employment growth rates between March 2005 and March 2006 include:

• Lee County, Florida (7.7 percent)
• Brazoria County, Texas (7.5 percent)
• Manatee County, Florida (7.2 percent)
• Clark County, Nevada (7.2 percent)

The largest percentage declines in employment over the same period reflected the effects of last year’s Gulf Coast hurricanes:

• Orleans County, Louisiana (-38.7 percent);
• Harrison County, Mississipi (-18.8 percent); and
• Jefferson County, Louisiana (-11.7 percent)

With a 2005 population estimated at over 650,000 residents, Collin County encompasses 30 cities and towns, including Dallas, Garland, McKinney, Plano, and Richardson. Earlier this year, CNNMoney.com named Dallas as one of the ten hottest cities for job growth over the next decade.