With 18% of U.S. consumers and 29% of U.S. transportation manufacturing companies located in a 300 mile radius, Whitley County provides business with a strategic and accessible location for business. Seven state highways and three U.S. highways divide this Indiana county, access to I-69 and 80-90 (toll road) is readily available and the Fort Wayne International Airport is only 10 short miles away.
Economic Development in Whitley County
In 2007, this Indiana county hosted four new companies, five expansions, $104.85 million in investment and 151 new jobs.
| Population |
| Total Population, 2008 |
32,667
|
| Projected Population 2015 |
34,803
|
| Total Households, 2005-07 |
12,836
|
| Median Age, 2008 |
38
|
| Population Breakdown by Age, 2008 |
| 0-13 years |
18.5%
|
| 14-17 years |
5.7%
|
| 18-24 years |
8.1%
|
| 25-44 years |
26.5%
|
| 45-64 years |
28.0%
|
| 65-84 years |
11.2%
|
| 85+ years |
1.9%
|
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
| Household Income |
|
Year
|
Median HHI
|
PCI
|
| 2000 |
$45,503
|
$26,620
|
| 2007 |
$57,903
|
$31,173
|
Source: U.S. Census Bureau and BEA
| Labor Participation |
| Labor Force |
17,990
|
| Employed |
15,805
|
| Unemployed |
2,185
|
| Unemployment Rate |
12.2%
|
Source: BLS LAUS, Preliminary 2009 Annual
| Commuting, 2007 |
| Commuting INTO Whitley County |
3,557
|
| Commuting OUT of Whitley County |
8,364
|
Source: STATS Indiana
| Housing, 2005-07 |
| Total Housing Units |
13,758
|
| Total Occupied Housing Units |
12,836
|
| Owner Occupied |
11,061
|
86.2%
|
| Rental |
1,775
|
13.8%
|
| Seasonal or Recreational, 2000 |
304
|
| Median Value for Owner Occupied Housing |
$122,600
|
| Median Gross Rent |
$570
|
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
| Education Attainment, 2005-07 |
| Level |
Total
|
%
|
| Less than High School |
2,123
|
9.8%
|
| High School Graduate |
8,883
|
41.0%
|
| Some College |
4,745
|
21.9%
|
| Associate's Degree |
2,136
|
9.9%
|
| Bachelor's Degree |
2,565
|
11.8%
|
| Master's, PhD, and/or Professional Degree |
1,214
|
5.6%
|
| Note: Data applies to the population 25 and older |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2005-07 ACS
| Largest Private Employers |
| Steel Dynamics Inc. |
| C & A Tool Engineering Inc. |
| Ultra Electronics-USSI |
| Advanced Assembly, LLC |
| 80/20 |
| BRC Rubber Group |
| Micropulse |
| Reelcraft Industries |
| Shindigz |
| Parkview Whitley |
Source: Community Research Institute
| Announced Jobs & Investments, 2008 |
| New Companies |
2
|
| Expanding Companies |
8
|
| Financial Investment |
$55.47 Million
|
| Jobs Created |
258
|
| Private Average Annual Wage & Employment By Industry - 2008 |
| Industry |
Avg. Annual Wage
|
Emp.
|
% Emp.
|
| Total - All Covered |
$31,990
|
12,028
|
|
| Total - Private |
$32,194
|
10,481
|
|
| Natural Resources & Mining |
$23,982
|
108
|
1.0%
|
| Construction |
$37,799
|
496
|
4.7%
|
| Manufacturing |
$40,752
|
4,767
|
45.5%
|
| Trade, Transportation, Utilities |
$27,887
|
1,729
|
16.5%
|
| Information |
$28,514
|
85
|
0.8%
|
| Financial Activities |
$33,653
|
273
|
2.6%
|
| Professional and Business Services |
$25,611
|
583
|
5.6%
|
| Education and Health Services |
$26,091
|
1,134
|
10.8%
|
| Leisure and Hospitality |
$9,949
|
867
|
8.3%
|
| Other Services |
$20,138
|
439
|
4.2%
|
Source: BLS QCEW
| Direct County Contact |
Mr. Alan Tio
Whitley County EDC
220 W. Van Buren, Suite 102
Columbia City, Indiana 46725
Phone: 260-244-5506
Toll Free: 888-244-5506
Fax: 260-244-4024
www.whitleyedc.com
atio@whitleyedc.com |