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In a land of arches, natural bridges and great canyons, visitors can
do cycling, hiking, 4-wheeling, white water rafting, motorcycling,
climbing, sightseeing, and exploring. However the person who may
be preparing your food, cleaning rooms, or selling souvenirs is more
than likely the working poor of our community.
The working poor are evident in Moab (Grand County) Utah. The
economy of the area is seasonal tourist based. Forty percent of the
families in Grand County earn under $21,000 a year. These
people work minimal wage jobs, and have no health benefits.
do cycling, hiking, 4-wheeling, white water rafting, motorcycling,
climbing, sightseeing, and exploring. However the person who may
be preparing your food, cleaning rooms, or selling souvenirs is more
than likely the working poor of our community.
The working poor are evident in Moab (Grand County) Utah. The
economy of the area is seasonal tourist based. Forty percent of the
families in Grand County earn under $21,000 a year. These
people work minimal wage jobs, and have no health benefits.
| CHALLENGES A Community of Challenges |
| Some of the characteristics of the working poor include: HAS NEVER BEEN TO COLLEGE MAY WORK SHIFT WORK THEY MAY HAVE GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL TEND TO FLOAT FROM JOB TO JOB LACK OF HOPE COME FROM A SINGLE PARENT FAMILY MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY WITH READING AND WRITING MAY BE SUFFERING FROM DEPRESSION LACK OF OPPORTUNITY THEY LEAVE THEIR CHILDREN AT HOME TO WORK PROBABLY DOESN’T HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE STUCK IN A DEAD-END JOB THEY ARE LIKELY TO BE FEMALE, BUT NOT ALWAYS THEY ARE LIKELY DIVORCED THEY ARE LIKELY TO BE SINGLE PARENTS THEMSELVES. |
Copyright (c) 2007. All Rights Reserved.
| The Working Poor Invisible in America, Alfred A. Knopf Publisher |
Grand 2006 monthly wages by industry
Mining $4,044
Government $2,824
Education/Health/Social Service $2,532
Construction $2,461
Information $2,333
Professional & Business Services $2,307
Financial Services $2,069
Trade, Trans. & Utilities $2,062
Manufacturing $2,006
Other Services $1,754
Leisure & Hospitality $1,194
Mining $4,044
Government $2,824
Education/Health/Social Service $2,532
Construction $2,461
Information $2,333
Professional & Business Services $2,307
Financial Services $2,069
Trade, Trans. & Utilities $2,062
Manufacturing $2,006
Other Services $1,754
Leisure & Hospitality $1,194
Grand 2006 labor force by industry
Leisure/Hospitality 32.8%
Government 19.0%
Trade/Trans. & Utilities 18.4%
Construction 7.3%
Education/Health/Social Service 6.9%
Financial Services 4.9%
Professional & Business Services 4.8%
Mining 2.5%
Other Services 1.5%
Manufacturing 1.0%
Information 0.7%
Leisure/Hospitality 32.8%
Government 19.0%
Trade/Trans. & Utilities 18.4%
Construction 7.3%
Education/Health/Social Service 6.9%
Financial Services 4.9%
Professional & Business Services 4.8%
Mining 2.5%
Other Services 1.5%
Manufacturing 1.0%
Information 0.7%
Economic Profile of Grand County
a) Wages in 2006
UT State average $2,883 per month, $34,596 per year
Grand County average $2,042 per month, $24,504 per year
a) Wages in 2006
UT State average $2,883 per month, $34,596 per year
Grand County average $2,042 per month, $24,504 per year
b) Seasonality of jobs # of jobs jobless rate
July 2007 5,570 3.3%
January 2008 4,113 11%
c) Household Income 2007 estimate 2012 forecast
$0-$24,999 31.6 29.0
$25,000-$74,999 50.5 49.2
$75,000+ 17.9 21.8
Sources: DWS Grand County Facts; Grand County Demographic and Economic Profile, by Michael Hanni, DWS Regional Economist; Economic Development
Corporation of Utah
The Grand Foundation for Higher Education