Economic Data

Data

Below is an inventory of links to data that can support the analysis within an economic development element. While private economic data sources do exsit, the inventory below includes publicly available data only. County-level data is typically referenced since most economic development data is available and reported at the county level. Where municipal data is also available, it is be indicated in the data links. Reasoning on data source use is provided where necessary. It is advisable to consult with the programs and organizations that provide this data to ensure accuracy and understanding of the data limitations.

Analysis of Major Economic Sectors

County Distribution of Jobs by Type and Industry

Each source of jobs data differs in their coverage of the economy and their differences should be understood before making a selection. Wage and salary (sometimes called payroll) jobs that are covered under the unemployment insurance system are produced by the Maryland’s Quarterly Census of Employment Wages (QCEW) Program.

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) data includes several sectors of the economy which are not covered by the QCEW data series. Chief among these are proprietors (the self-employed) as well as federal military, railroad, certain non profits and much of the agricultural sector. As such, the job totals from the BEA series will typically be much higher than the QCEW series.

Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulations

Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) Employment and Payrolls

Maryland State Data Center

U.S. Department of Commerce

Bureau of Economic Analysis

List of Major Employers by County
Maryland Department of Labor. Licensing and Regulation

Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning: Major Employer Lists

Municipal Level Data

The U.S. Census Bureau provides Zip Code Business Patterns (ZBP) and Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics (LEHD) data. The ZBP identifies the total number of wage & salary private-sector employees for the week of March 12th for a given year. In addition, the ZBP provides the number of establishments by employee size category by NAICs sector. The ZBP data set is limited because it does not include any government employment, and because it is only for one point in time in a given year as opposed to an annual average for a year. Because of these limitations, ZBP data cannot be used in comparison with QCEW or BEA data.

The LEHD OnTheMap application provides sub-county economic data. It allows for the designation of a municipality and generates the number of jobs and workers by NAICs sector in a municipality as well as the characteristics of those workers. Data from this application is available for years 2002 to 2011, but caution should be used if trying to evaluate job changes over this time period becasue the data has increased in accuracy over time. Additionally, federal government employment was first added to the data set in 2010. Learn more about the OnTheMap tool.

U.S. Census Bureau

Workforce Analysis

Jobs Data
Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulations

Maryland Department of Planning’s State Data Center

Local Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs)

Inventory of Local WIBs

Equity

Sustainable and Equitable Economic Development (SEED) Initiative
Central Maryland: Opportunity Collaborative
Metro Washington: Place and Opportunity: Strategies for Creating Great Communities and a Stronger Region

Household Income Analysis

One, three and five year median household income estimates, the number of households by income class and poverty rates can be obtained from the American Community Survey. If a county or municipal profile file is used, this information would be under the “Economics” tab. If the five-year data is used, it would be in the “Economics” file. The Maryland State Data Center (SDC) also provides median household income tables for each jurisdiction. Click here for cautions, documentation and guidelines on using ACS data.

Maryland State Data Center

U.S. Census Bureau

Explore Census Data

Educational Attainment

One, three and five year educational attainment estimates can be obtained from the American Community Survey (ACS). If a county or municipal profile file is used, this information would be under the “Social” tab. If the five-year data is used, it would be in the “Social” file. Click here for cautions, documentation and guidelines on using ACS data.

Maryland State Data Center

American Community Survey

U.S. Census Bureau

Explore Census Data

Commuting Trends

Limited information on commuting to work is available from the ‘Economics” tab or file of ACS profiles, including mode of travel and mean travel time. Detailed county-to-county commuting is available from the 2006-2010 ACS data. The Maryland State Data Center has this data in addition to specific county-to-county commutation tables, maps of in and out commuting, and a comparison with 2000 data. Click here for cautions, documentation and guidelines on using ACS data.

The LEHD OnTheMap application provides commutation data via the “Inflow/Outflow” analysis setting. Users should be aware that LEHD commuting data will differ from the census/ACS-based commuting data due to differences in data collection and coverage. In general, the LEHD data will show a smaller number of intra-county commutes, and a higher number of out of state and interstate commutes. Due to these differences, the LEHD data cannot be compared to historical commuting data from the Census (such as 1990 and 2000).

Maryland State Data Center

U.S. Census Bureau

LEHD OnTheMap

Economic Trends

For economic trend data, jurisdictions can use the following links to find jobs data for previous years. NAICS data is available from 1990. SIC data is available from 1969-2001.

Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulations

Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) Employment and Payrolls

Maryland State Data Center

Current Economic Policy Plans, Organizations, and Implementation

Financial Sustainability

Tax Base and Finances

Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT)

Fiscal Year 2014 Annual Report

Maryland Department of Legislative Services

Considering Development Capacity

Refer to your local Municipal Growth Element, if applicable

Considering Transportation Systems and Public Facilities

Balancing Housing and Job Opportunities

Labor force statistics are available from DLLR and the ACS. DLLR data is available for counties (and nine municipalities). This data is for the civilian labor force, and excludes those that are in the military. The ACS labor force data would have estimates for those in the military also estimates of the labor force (residence based) by occupation and industry. If a county or municipal profile file is used, this information would be under the “Economics” tab. If the five-year data is used, it would be in the “Economics” file. Click here for cautions, documentation and guidelines on using ACS data. Workers (but not labor force) and worker characteristics can also be obtained from the LEHD-on the map application (residence based analysis).

Employment Data By Geography

Deparment of Labor, Licensing and Regulation

Civilian Labor Force, Employment & Unemployment by Place of Residence

Maryland State Data Center

American Community Survey Data

The U.S. Census Bureau’s Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics (LEHD)

OnTheMap

Resource Based Industries

Agriculture

Maryland State Data Center

Farms and Farmlands; Sales

U.S. Department of Agriculture

USDA Desktop Query Tool

Fisheries and Aquaculture

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Mineral Extraction

Maryland Department of the Environment

Commercial

Consult your local land use or economic development departments for commercial land inventory and vacancy rates.
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development