North Central Kansas County Profiles

North Central Region

2008

ROUGH DRAFT 
 
Project funding support provided by Rural Business Tax Credits
from the Kansas Department of Commerce through NCKCN, an
affiliate of North Central Regional Planning Commission.

Advanced Manufacturing Institute

510 McCall Road
Manhattan, KS – 66502-5034
785-532-7044
785-532-7031
 NORTH CENTRAL REGION

Industry at a Glance – North Central Kansas Region

Highest Growth Rates

541810 Advertising Agencies
561499 All Other Business Support Services
561439 Other Business Service Centers (including Copy Shops)
531390 Other Activities Related to Real Estate
624190 Other Individual and Family Services
451212 News Dealers and Newsstands
424590 Other Farm Product Raw Material Merchant Wholesalers
561210 Facilities Support Services
333511 Industrial Mold Manufacturing
561740 Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services

Highest Wages (as Compared to National Average)

524292 Third Party Administration of Insurance and Pension Funds
611710 Educational Support Services
611512 Flight Training
488490 Other Support Activities for Road Transportation
812191 Diet and Weight Reducing Centers
488991 Packing and Crating
519190 All Other Information Services
447190 Other Gasoline Stations
335121 Residential Electric Lighting Fixture Manufacturing
423830 Industrial Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers

Highest Location Quotient

335121 Residential Electric Lighting Fixture Manufacturing
335911 Storage Battery Manufacturing
561492 Court Reporting and Stenotype Services
311412 Frozen Specialty Food Manufacturing
311111 Dog and Cat Food Manufacturing
326191 Plastics Plumbing Fixture Manufacturing
332439 Other Metal Container Manufacturing
327125 Non-Clay Refractory Manufacturing
311330 Confectionery Manufacturing from Purchased Chocolate
424510 Grain and Field Bean Merchant Wholesalers

Shift Share
621111 Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists)
623110 Nursing Care Facilities
561320 Temporary Help Services
454111 Electronic Shopping
721110 Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels
561492 Court Reporting and Stenotype Services
332439 Other Metal Container Manufacturing
2
 NORTH CENTRAL REGION

621420 Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers

624190 Other Individual and Family Services
336214 Travel Trailer and Camper Manufacturing

Traded Clusters in North Central Kansas

1. Location quotient higher than 1.25.
Agribusiness, Food Processing and Technology
Electrical Equipment, Appliance and Component Manufacturing
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing
Glass and Ceramics
Machinery Manufacturing
2. Growth rates more than 5%
Education and Knowledge Cluster
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing
Glass and Ceramics
Machinery Manufacturing
Primary Metal Manufacturing
3. Wages higher than national wages
None

Local Clusters in the North Central Kansas Region

1. Location quotient higher than 1.25
Local Community & Civic Organizations
Local Financial Services

2. Growth rates more than 5%

Local Education & Training
Local Health Services
Local Household Goods & Services

3. Wages higher than national wages

Local Industrial Products & Services

Largest Employer
Manufacturing Sector

Maximum Establishments
Retail Trade Sector

Highest Annual Average Wages

Management of Companies & Enterprises

3
 NORTH CENTRAL REGION

Section I
Overview of the North Central Region

The North Central

Region of Kansas
includes twelve
core counties
supported by the
North Central
Regional Planning
Commission and
seven other
counties of the
sunflower state.

4
 NORTH CENTRAL REGION

Region Profile – North Central Region, KS

The North Central Kansas region includes 19 out of the 105 counties in the state of
Kansas. The counties in this region are – Chase, Clay, Cloud, Dickinson, Ellsworth,
Geary, Jewell, Lincoln, Lyon, Marshall, Mitchell, Morris, Ottawa, Pottawatomie,
Republic, Riley, Saline, Wabaunsee and Washington. The 2007 populations estimate
listed the population of this region to be 302,969. According to 2000 estimates, it has
14169.26 square Miles in land area and a population density of 21.4 people per square
mile. The average household size was 2.4 persons in 2000 (US census Bureau).

Population Estimates

The North Central Region has a population of 302,969 as of July 1, 2007 (US Census
Bureau). The population decreased by 0.09% from the year 2000 to 2007. As per the
2000 census survey, population of the region was 303,256. In 2000, North Central
Region had 20% of its population under the age of 15 years, 31.5% in the age group 15
to 34 years, 30.5% in the age group 35 years to 59 years and about 18% of population
above 60 years of age.

Table 1: Population Estimates for North Central Region

Year Ending North Central Region Kansas
Population Estimates
July 1,2007 302,969 2,775,997
July 1,2006 302,167 2,755,817
July 1,2005 300,874 2,741,665
July 1,2004 300,207 2,730,828
July 1,2003 301,214 2,721,824
July 1,2002 300,387 2,712,383
July 1,2001 301,721 2,700,979
July 1,2000 303,224 2,692,890
Census 2000 April 1,2000 303,256 2,688,418
2000 to 2007 % change -0.09% 3.26%
1990 to 2000 % change -0.7% 8.5%
Source: US Census Bureau

5
 NORTH CENTRAL REGION

3,000,000

2,500,000

2,000,000
Kansas
1,500,000

1,000,000

500,000

315,000
310,000
305,000
300,000
295,000
290,000
19 County Region
285,000
280,000
275,000
270,000
265,000
1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000
Source: US census Bureau
Figure 1: Population Change in the Last Century

Table 2: Sex and Age of Population (2000 Census)

SEX AND AGE Count Percentage
Male 152,274 50.21%
Female 150,982 49.79%
Under 5 years 19,306 6.37%
5 to 9 years 19,827 6.54%
10 to 14 years 21,505 7.09%
15 to 19 years 26,778 8.83%
20 to 24 years 31,559 10.41%
25 to 34 years 37,186 12.26%
35 to 44 years 43,022 14.19%
45 to 54 years 36,426 12.01%
55 to 59 years 13,079 4.31%
60 to 64 years 11,069 3.65%
65 to 74 years 20,807 6.86%
75 to 84 years 15,612 5.15%
85 years and over 7,080 2.33%
Source: US Census Bureau

6
 NORTH CENTRAL REGION

Household Income

Median household income for various counties in the North Central Region is as given
in the table below. The state median household income for 2005 is $42,861 and it has
declined by 9.9% from 2000 to 2005.

Table 3: Median Household Income in North Central Region

2005 Median
Median Median Income Median Income
County Income as
Income (1999) (1999) Adjusted* (2005)
Percent of Kansas
Kansas $40,624 $47,622 $42,861 100%
Chase $32,656 $38,282 $34,634 80.81%
Clay $33,965 $39,816 $37,732 88.03%
Cloud $31,758 $37,229 $33,874 79.03%
Dickinson $35,975 $42,172 $41,061 95.80%
Ellsworth $35,772 $41,934 $38,996 90.98%
Geary $31,917 $37,415 $37,758 (G) 88.09%
Jewell $30,538 $35,799 $32,500 75.83%
Lincoln $30,893 $36,215 $32,322 75.41%
Lyon $32,819 $38,473 $36,455 85.05%
Marshall $32,098 $37,627 $38,111 (G) 88.92%
Mitchell $33,385 $39,136 $36,738 85.71%
Morris $32,163 $37,704 $36,618 85.43%
Ottawa $38,009 $44,557 $41,571 96.99%
Pottawatomie $40,176 $47,097 $46,271 (H) 107.96%
Republic $30,494 $35,747 $31,364 73.18%
Riley $32,042 $37,562 $35,071 81.82%
Saline $37,308 $43,735 $40,268 93.95%
Wabaunsee $41,710 (H) $48,895 (H) $47,231 (H) 110.20%
Washington $29,363 $34,421 $31,770 74.12%
Source: US Census Bureau (Downloaded from www.stats.indiana.edu)
*Adjusted for inflation, G- Median income increased from 1999 to 2005, H – Median income higher than state median income

Wabaunsee is the only county with median income higher than the state in both 1999
and 2005. In 2005, median income of Wabaunsee County was about 110% of the state
median income. In 2005, Pottawatomie County’s median income was also higher than
the state median income.

Geary and Marshall are the two counties where the median income has increased from
1999(adjusted) to 2005. The median income for Geary County increased from $37,415
to $37,758 in 2005. Similarly for Marshall County, median household income increased
from $37,627 to $38,111.

7
 NORTH CENTRAL REGION

Figure 2: Median Income for various counties in the North Central Region
$60,000 

$50,000 

$40,000 

$30,000 

$20,000 

$10,000 

$0 

Median Income (1999) Adjusted* Median Income (2005)
Source: US Census Bureau (Downloaded from www.stats.indiana.edu)
*Adjusted for inflation

8
 NORTH CENTRAL REGION

Poverty Rates

The current poverty rate for various counties in the North Central Region is as shown in
the table below. The poverty rate for Kansas is 11.7. In the region only six counties had
poverty rates greater than the state rate. All other thirteen counties have poverty rates
less than state poverty rate. Wabaunsee County has the lowest poverty rate of 8
percent followed by Ottawa County with poverty rate of 8.4%. Riley County has the
maximum poverty rate of 20.2 percent in the region.

Table 4: Poverty Estimates for the North Central Region

County Poverty Rate Compared to Kansas
Kansas 11.7 -
Chase 11 -0.7
Clay 10.8 -0.9
Cloud 12.6 0.9
Dickinson 8.8 -2.9
Ellsworth 9.4 -2.3
Geary 13.4 1.7
Jewell 13.2 1.5
Lincoln 11.9 0.2
Lyon 16.6 4.9
Marshall 10.4 -1.3
Mitchell 11 -0.7
Morris 10.8 -0.9
Ottawa 8.4 -3.3
Pottawatomie 9.6 -2.1
Republic 10.4 -1.3
Riley 20.2 8.5
Saline 11.5 -0.2
Wabaunsee 8 -3.7
Washington 11.3 -0.4
Source: US Census Bureau (Downloaded from www.stats.indiana.edu)

9
 N
NORTH CEN
NTRAL REG
GION

Labor Force
F

The Norrth Central Region’s current

c uneemploymentt rate is 3.5 5% which isi less thann the
state ratte of 4.1%. The total la
abor force for the regiion increased by 5.7%% in the lastt five
years annd by 5.9%% in the lastt ten years; the employed labor force
f increa
ased by 6.44% in
the last five
f years, and the unemployed labor
l force declined byy 11.1% in the region.

Table 5: Labor Force Annua

al Averages
s for North
h Central Region
R
Labor Foorce Annual Averages
A in 2007 North Central Region Kansas
Total Labo
or Force 163,5 532 1,478,781
5-year % change 5.7%
% 3.8%
10-yearr % change 5.9%
% 6.9%
Employedd 157,8 839 1,418,666
5-year % change 6.4%
% 5.0%
10-yearr % change 5.8%
% 6.7%
Unemployyed 5,6993 60,115
5-year % change -11.1% -17.8%
10-yearr % change -9.1%% 12.0%
Unemployyment Rate 3.5
5 4.1
5-year % change -14.66% -19.6%
10-yearr % change -12.55% 5.1%
Source: US Bureau of Laborr Statistics (Down
nloaded from ww
ww.stats.indiana.edu)

3.48%
%

Emp
ployed
Uneemployed

96.52%

Figure
e 3: Emplo employed Percent off Total Lab
oyed & Une bor Force in
n the Regio
on

10
 NORTH CENTRAL REGION

Educational Attainment

About eighty-seven percent of the population above the age of 25 has at least a high
school degree. 25.68% of the population above the age of twenty-five had some college
education, and 27.42% are college graduates.

Table 6: Educational Attainment – North Central Region

North Percent of Percent of
Educational Attainment: Census 2000 Central Population Kansas Population
Region 25+ 25+
Total Population 25 and Older 183,968 100.0% 1,701,207 100.0%
Less Than 9th Grade 8,937 4.86% 88,124 5.2%
9th to 12th, No Diploma 14,533 7.90% 149,675 8.8%
High School Graduate (incl. equiv.) 62,813 34.14% 507,612 29.8%
Some College, No Degree 47,243 25.68% 417,722 24.6%
Associate Degree 9,963 5.42% 99,096 5.8%
Bachelor's Degree 25,552 13.89% 290,271 17.1%
Graduate or Professional Degree 14,927 8.11% 148,707 8.7%
Source: US Census Bureau

100% Graduate or Professional 
8.11% 8.70%
90% Degree
13.89% 17.10% Bachelor's Degree
80%
5.42%
70% 5.80%
Associate Degree
60% 25.68%
24.60%
50% Some College, No Degree
40%
30% 34.14% High School Graduate (incl. 
29.80%
equiv.)
20%
9th to 12th, No Diploma
10% 7.90% 8.80%
0% 4.86% 5.20%
Less Than 9th Grade
North Central Region Kansas

Figure 4: Education Attainment in the 19 County Region

11
 NORTH CENTRAL REGION

Workers Commuting to Work

The table below shows the number of workers commuting to work from each county. In
all the counties, the majority of workers are employed in the county itself, except for
Wabaunsee County where 36.79% of workers commute to Shawnee County for work
and 35.57% work in Wabaunsee County itself.

Table 7: Workers Commuting from North Central Region for Work*

Percent of Total Commuting
Residence County Work County Count
Workers of Residence County
Geary Co. KS Riley Co. KS 4,238 31.59%
Pottawatomie Co. KS Riley Co. KS 2,694 29.88%
Wabaunsee Co. KS Shawnee Co. KS 1,267 36.79%
Ottawa Co. KS Saline Co. KS 1,290 42.18%
Chase Co. KS Lyon Co. KS 468 30.81%
Dickinson Co. KS Saline Co. KS 1,214 12.59%
Jewell Co. KS Mitchell Co. KS 187 10.48%
Clay Co. KS Geary Co. KS 249 5.80%
Clay Co. KS Riley Co. KS 398 9.27%
Dickinson Co. KS Geary Co. KS 691 7.17%
Dickinson Co. KS Riley Co. KS 573 5.94%
Ellsworth Co. KS Saline Co. KS 254 8.63%
Jewell Co. KS Nuckolls Co. NE 93 5.21%
Lincoln Co. KS Ellsworth Co. KS 98 5.41%
Lincoln Co. KS Saline Co. KS 176 9.71%
Morris Co. KS Geary Co. KS 173 5.84%
Morris Co. KS Riley Co. KS 230 7.76%
Pottawatomie Co. KS Shawnee Co. KS 751 8.33%
Republic Co. KS Cloud Co. KS 203 7.34%
Riley Co. KS Geary Co. KS 2,013 5.82%
Riley Co. KS Pottawatomie Co. KS 1,821 5.26%
Wabaunsee Co. KS Pottawatomie Co. KS 342 9.93%
Wabaunsee Co. KS Riley Co. KS 328 9.52%
Washington Co. KS Marshall Co. KS 286 9.05%
Source: US Census Bureau (Includes only workers over 16 years old)
*Shown are the counties where more than 5% of population commutes to a particular location for work.

12
 NORTH CENTRAL REGION

Figure 5: Workers Commute from the North Central Region

13
 NORTH CENTRAL REGION

The table below shows the number of workers commuting for work to each county. The
maximum flow of workers in the North Central Region is from Geary County to Riley
County. Around 4,238 workers commute from Geary to Riley County in the North
Central Region for work.

Table 8: Workers Commuting to North Central Region for Work*

Residence County Work County Count

Ottawa Co. KS Saline Co. KS 1,290

Geary Co. KS Riley Co. KS 4,238
Chase Co. KS Lyon Co. KS 468
Pottawatomie Co. KS Riley Co. KS 2,694
McPherson Co. KS Saline Co. KS 688
Dickinson Co. KS Saline Co. KS 1,214
Jewell Co. KS Mitchell Co. KS 187
Wabaunsee Co. KS Pottawatomie Co. KS 342
Lincoln Co. KS Saline Co. KS 176
Coffey Co. KS Lyon Co. KS 420
Wabaunsee Co. KS Riley Co. KS 328
Greenwood Co. KS Lyon Co. KS 318
Clay Co. KS Riley Co. KS 398
Washington Co. KS Marshall Co. KS 286
Ellsworth Co. KS Saline Co. KS 254
Morris Co. KS Riley Co. KS 230
Republic Co. KS Cloud Co. KS 203
Dickinson Co. KS Geary Co. KS 691
Dickinson Co. KS Riley Co. KS 573
Morris Co. KS Geary Co. KS 173
Riley Co. KS Geary Co. KS 2,013
Clay Co. KS Geary Co. KS 249
Lincoln Co. KS Ellsworth Co. KS 98
Riley Co. KS Pottawatomie Co. KS 1,821
Source: US Census Bureau (Includes only workers over 16 years old)
*Shown are the counties where more than 5% of population commutes to a particular location for work.

14
 NORTH CENTRAL REGION

Figure 6: Workers Commuting to the North Central Region for Work

15
 NORTH CENTRAL REGION

Section – II
Industry Analysis

16
 NORTH CENTRAL REGION

Industry Analysis

Industry Totals for the North Central Region

Industry employment grew at a rate of 24.02% from 1990 to 2007 in North Central Kansas. Average pay (after adjusting
for inflation) has grown at a rate of 11.41%, and establishments in the same period increased at rate of 7.44%. This is a
good indicator of growing industry in the region.

Table 9: Annual Covered Employment & Wages1 over Time (NAICS) – North Central Region
Average Pay in Terms of
Year Establishments Employment Average Annual Pay
20072 Dollars (adj*)
1990 8,414 108,970 $16,419 $26,047
1991 8,549 109,627 $16,981 $25,851
1992 8,531 113,268 $17,555 $25,944
1993 8,415 115,002 $17,943 $25,746
1994 8,411 117,989 $18,542 $25,942
1995 8,475 120,649 $18,995 $25,843
1996 8,549 123,304 $19,797 $26,162
1997 8,676 126,100 $20,316 $26,245
1998 8,845 128,112 $21,088 $26,825
1999 8,774 128,809 $21,839 $27,180
2000 8,723 130,826 $23,125 $27,844

1
Covered Employment & Wages (CEW) also known as ES202 data are the product of a federal-state cooperative program, the Quarterly Census of Employment
and Wages (QCEW) program, also known as the ES-202 program. The data are derived from summaries of employment and total pay of workers covered by state
and federal unemployment insurance (UI) legislation and provided by State Workforce Agencies (SWAs). The summaries are a result of the administration of state
unemployment insurance programs that require most employers to pay quarterly taxes based on the employment and wages of workers covered by UI.
(www.bls.gov).

2
Average wages in 2007 dollars term calculated using CPI inflation calculator available at Bureau of Labor Statistics website http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl.
The CPI inflation calculator uses the average Consumer Price Index for a given calendar year. This data represents changes in prices of all goods and services
purchased for consumption by urban households. This index value has been calculated every year since 1913. For the current year, the latest monthly index value
is used (www.bls.gov).

17
 NORTH CENTRAL REGION

Average Pay in Terms of

Year Establishments Employment Average Annual Pay
20072 Dollars (adj*)
2001 8,687 129,990 $23,787 $27,849
2002 8,740 128,927 $24,423 $28,148
2003 8,665 128,482 $24,994 $28,165
2004 8,627 130,431 $25,815 $28,335
2005 8,672 130,576 $26,636 $28,278
2006 8,774 132,912 $27,800 $28,592
2007 9,040 135,144 $29,020 $29,020
Change from 1990 to 2007 626 26,174 12,601 2,973
Percent change from 1990 to 2007 7.44% 24.02% 76.75% 11.41%
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) *adj = Adjusted for Inflation.

18
 NORTH CENTRAL REGION

Establishments

9,040
9,200

8,845

8,774

8,774
8,740
9,000

8,723

8,687
8,676

8,672
8,665

8,627
8,549

8,549
8,531
8,800

8,475
8,415
8,414

8,411
8,600
8,400
8,200
8,000
Employment

130,826

130,576

132,912

135,144
130,431
129,990

128,927
128,809

128,482
128,112
126,100
123,304
120,649
160,000

117,989
115,002
113,268
109,627
108,970

140,000
120,000
100,000
80,000
60,000
40,000
20,000

$29,020 
$28,592 
Average Annual Pay (in terms of 2007 $)

$28,335 

$28,278 
$28,165 
$28,148 
$30,000 

$27,849 
$27,844 
$27,180 
$29,000 

$26,825 
$26,245 
$26,162 
$26,047 

$25,944 

$25,942 

$28,000 
$25,851 

$25,843 
$25,746 

$27,000 
$26,000 
$25,000 
$24,000 
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Figure 7: Changes in Establishments, Employment and Average Annual Wages in the Region

19
 NORTH CENTRAL REGION

Jobs and Average Wages by Industry

Management of Companies and Enterprises is the highest paying sector in the region with average annual wages of
$62,863. Other high paying sectors are: Utilities (annual average wages of $48,233) and Transportation and warehousing
(annual average wages of $37,708).

Table 10: Industry Distribution of Establishments, Jobs, and Average Wages – North Central Region
Industry Distribution of Establishments, Jobs & Average Wages (2007) Establishments Jobs Annual Average Wage
Total Covered Employment and Wages 9,040 135,144 $29,020
Private 8,065 101,507 $27,453
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting 154 350 $27,043
Mining 32 49 $36,650
Utilities 59 84 $48,233
Construction 1,056 6,601 $33,806
Manufacturing 336 18,459 $35,742
Wholesale Trade 458 3,501 $33,804
Retail Trade 1,269 16,454 $19,298
Transportation and Warehousing 446 2,736 $37,708
Information 199 2,807 $34,211
Finance and Insurance 573 3,656 $35,465
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 314 1,153 $21,500
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 631 2,544 $35,973
Management of Companies and Enterprises 35 264 $62,863
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation 394 5,743 $24,240
Services
Educational Services 150 4,488 $25,402
Health Care and Social Assistance 845 12,239 $30,240
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 135 1,047 $12,531
Accommodation and Food Services 653 10,267 $10,306
Other Services (except Public Administration) 817 4,275 $22,873
Public Administration 510 10,170 $33,755
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) N – Non-disclosed, NA- Not Applicable

20
 NORTH CENTRAL REGION

In terms of employment, Manufacturing is the largest sector with 18,459 employees. Other large employers are the Retail
Trade (16,454 employees) and Health Care & Social Assistance sectors (12,239 employees). Retail Trade is also the
largest sector in the North Central Region in terms of number of establishments with 1,269 establishments followed by
Construction (1,056 establishments) and Health Care & Social Assistance (845 establishments).

Establishments Jobs

Agriculture Mining
Utilities Construction
Manufacturing Wholesale Trade
Retail Trade Transportation & Warehousing
Information Finance & Insurance
Real Estate  Professional, Scientific,& Technical Services
Management of Companies  Waste Management &Remediation Services
Educational Services Health Care & Social Assistance
Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation Accommodation & Food Services
Other Services (except Public Administration) Public Administration

Figure 8: Establishments and Jobs in Various Industry Sectors in the Region

21
 NORTH CENTRAL REGION

Annual Average Wage Agriculture

$62,863 
Mining
$70,000 
Utilities
Construction
$60,000  Manufacturing

$48,233 
Wholesale Trade
Retail Trade
$50,000 

$37,708 
Transportation & Warehousing
$36,650 

$35,973 
$35,742 

$35,465 
$34,211 
$33,806 

$33,804 

$33,755 
Information

$30,240 
$40,000  Finance & Insurance
$27,043 

$25,402 
Real Estate 

$24,240 

$22,873 
$21,500 
Professional, Scientific,& Technical Services

$19,298 
$30,000 
Management of Companies 
Waste Management &Remediation Services

$12,531 
$10,306 
$20,000  Educational Services
Health Care & Social Assistance
Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation
$10,000 
Accommodation & Food Services
Other Services (except Public Administration)
$0  Public Administration

Figure 9: Average Wage in Various Industries in the Region

22
 NORTH CENTRAL REGION

Key Industries

North Central Region is home to some very well performing industries. These industries may be a part of existing or
emerging clusters. For identifying key industries and clusters, three criteria were used:

1. Location Quotient – Location quotients (LQ) for industries at 6-digit NAICS level were calculated with US industry
employment as a base. The cutoff for LQ was taken as 1.25 (based on previous studies, especially Cortright 2003).

2. Average Wages – Average wages at 6-digit NAICS codes were compared to US average wages. If any industry
has average wages 10% above the US average, it is considered to be a good performing industry.

3. Growth Rate – Growth rates for employment were calculated over a three year time period from 2003 to 20063;
growth rates above 5% are considered to be an indicator of good industry performance.

Any industry that satisfies one of these three conditions is either a good performing industry or an industry with good
potential for growth. There may or may not be a cluster existing in a region for every good performing industry, but if there
are good performing industries, a cluster may emerge in the near future.

Three industries in North Central Kansas satisfy all three of the above stated criteria – Motor Vehicle Towing (NAICS
488410), Fertilizer (Mixing Only) Manufacturing (NIACS 325314) and Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing (NAICS 336211).

Table 11: 6-Digit NAICS Codes with High Wages, Location Quotients and Growth Rates
Average Higher Wages Growth Location
NAICS NAICS Definition Establishments Employment
Wages Than Nation Rate Quotient
488410 Motor Vehicle Towing 10 85 $33,050 12.79% 15.62% 1.98
325314 Fertilizer (Mixing Only) Manufacturing 1 30 $53,990 30.18% 210.72 4.22
336211 Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing 2 377 $54,317 24.98% 18.60% 6.34
Source: ES202 2006 data, IMPLAN MIG Group

3
There were two reasons for selecting a 2003 base year. 1) The numbers were more likely to be free from 9/11 impacts as compared to 2001 or 2002 numbers. 2)
NAICS definitions changed in 2002, so it was very difficult to bridge between 2002 & 1997 codes for some industries.

23
 NORTH CENTRAL REGION

Growth Rate

The industries with high growth rates are both local and traded4 industries in the North Central Region. The highest
growth rate is for the Advertising Agencies (85.02%) and Business Support Services (81.71%).

Table 12: Top 10 Industries (6-digit NAICS) with Highest Growth Rates
Average Growth
NAICS NAICS Definition Establishments Employment Cluster
Wages Rate
541810 Advertising Agencies 5 19 $31,919 85.02% Business and Financial
Services
561499 All Other Business Support Services 1 36 $10,105 81.71% Local Commercial Services
561439 Other Business Service Centers 7 46 $12,514 79.15% Local Commercial Services
(including Copy Shops)
531390 Other Activities Related to Real Estate 3.6 11 $18,745 76.52% Business and Financial
Services
624190 Other Individual and Family Services 17 516 $19,543 75.78% Local Health Services
451212 News Dealers and Newsstands 2 38 $17,569 75.75% Local Entertainment & Media
424590 Other Farm Product Raw Material 1 42 $13,585 73.80% Agribusiness, Food Processing
Merchant Wholesalers & Technology
561210 Facilities Support Services 6 298 $33,716 72.56% Local Commercial Services
333511 Industrial Mold Manufacturing 2 15 $27,941 71.00% Machinery manufacturing
561740 Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services 7 29 $17,827 69.08% Local Personal Services (Non-
Medical)
Source: ES202 2006 data, IMPLAN MIG Group
NA – No cluster assigned to NAICS

4
Traded industries are defined as the ones exporting their goods and/or services outside their region. Local industries are the ones with all local (within the region)
dealings (Porter 2003).

24
 NORTH CENTRAL REGION

Location Quotient

The sector Residential Electric Lighting Fixture Manufacturing (NAICS 335121) has the highest LQ in the North Central
Region of 62.38. This sector is part of the Electrical Equipment, Appliance and Component Manufacturing cluster. The
sector with the second highest LQ in the region, Storage Battery Manufacturing (NAICS 335911), is also part of the same
cluster. There are four other industries with LQ in the top ten that are part of the Agribusiness, Food Processing and
Technology cluster. The sectors are: Frozen Specialty Food Manufacturing (NAICS 311412), Dog and Cat Food
Manufacturing (NAICS 311111), Confectionery Manufacturing from Purchased Chocolate (NAICS 311330) and Grain and
Field Bean Merchant Wholesalers (NAICS 424510). This is a good indicator of higher LQ for the Electrical Equipment,
Appliance and Component Manufacturing cluster and the Agribusiness, Food Processing and Technology cluster in the
North Central Region.

Table 13: Top 10 Industries (6-digit NAICS) with Highest Location Quotients
Average Location
NAICS NAICS Definition Establishments Employment Cluster
Wages Quotient
335121 Residential Electric Lighting Fixture 1 706 $53,577 62.38 Electrical Equipment, Appliance and
Manufacturing Component Manufacturing
335911 Storage Battery Manufacturing 1 706 $44,419 52.33 Electrical Equipment, Appliance and
Component Manufacturing
561492 Court Reporting and Stenotype 2 482 $17,342 43.48 Local Commercial Services
Services
311412 Frozen Specialty Food 1 2010 $30,101 40.76 Agribusiness, Food Processing and
Manufacturing Technology
311111 Dog and Cat Food Manufacturing 2 539 $44,418 32.70 Agribusiness, Food Processing and
326191 Plastics Plumbing Fixture 2 663 $31,718 31.19 Chemicals and Chemical-based
Manufacturing Products
332439 Other Metal Container 3 459 $27,534 23.43 Fabricated Metal Product
Manufacturing Manufacturing
327125 Non-Clay Refractory Manufacturing 2 129 $31,330 23.20 Glass and Ceramics
311330 Confectionery Manufacturing from 1 653 $26,544 20.70 Agribusiness, Food Processing and
Purchased Chocolate Technology
424510 Grain and Field Bean Merchant 72 701 $41,345 18.56 Agribusiness, Food Processing and
Wholesalers Technology
Source: ES202 2006 data, IMPLAN MIG Group

25
 NORTH CENTRAL REGION

Wages Compared to National Average Wages

The county’s Third Party Administration of Insurance and Pension Funds sector (NAICS-524292) has average wages
around 88% more than the national averages. This may be because of two reasons – this sector is a well performing
industry with higher profits and they pay higher wages, or there is shortage of labor so to retain employees they have to
pay higher wages. The sector has a LQ of and growth rate of (Table 15).

Table 14: Top 10 Industries (6-digit NAICS) with Wages Above National Averages
Wages
Average
NAICS NAICS Definition Establishments Employment Compared Cluster
Wages
to Nation5
524292 Third Party Administration of 2.3 2 $99,780 88.50% Business and Financial Services
Insurance and Pension Funds
611710 Educational Support Services 4 15 $59,678 63.85% Education and Knowledge Creation
611512 Flight Training 2 8 $70,240 55.72% Education and Knowledge Creation
488490 Other Support Activities for Road 2 3 $44,386 49.88% Transportation and Logistics
Transportation
812191 Diet and Weight Reducing 1 1 $22,926 43.71% Local Personal Services (Non-
Centers Medical)
488991 Packing and Crating 1 1 $41,381 41.03% Transportation and Logistics
519190 All Other Information Services 1 3 $60,744 40.69% Printing and Publishing
447190 Other Gasoline Stations 48 618 $28,737 37.79% Energy (Fossil and Renewable)
335121 Residential Electric Lighting 1 706 $53,577 37.47% Electrical Equipment, Appliance and
Fixture Manufacturing Component Manufacturing
423830 Industrial Machinery and 10 123 $77,669 33.87% Local Industrial Products & Services
Equipment Merchant Wholesalers
Source: ES202 2006 data, IMPLAN MIG Group

5
Wages compared to nation – the difference in county & national average wages for a particular industry as a percentage of the national average.

26
 NORTH CENTRAL REGION

Shift Share Analysis

Shift share analysis breaks down changes in employment (growth or decline) over a period of time into three components:
national growth share, Industry mix share and local share. This analysis is used to account for the competitiveness of a
region’s industries and to analyze the local economic base6.

National Growth Share

This is the share of growth (decline) in local employment that can be attributed to growth (decline) in employment
at the national level.
National Growth Share = Employment in base year * National employment growth rate

Industry Mix Share

This is the growth (decline) in employment in the region that can be attributed to the growth (decline) in that
particular industry at the national level.
Industry Mix Share = Employment in base year *(Industry’s National Growth rate – National employment
growth rate)

Local Share
This is the share of growth (decline) in employment in a region that can be attributed to the competitiveness of a
region.
Local Share = Employment in base year *(Region’s industry growth rate – National Industry growth rate)

Offices of Physicians have the highest local share of growth in the region. This sector had a net growth of 931 jobs, out of
which 867 jobs were attributed to local factors. Nursing Care Facilities is another sector with a high local share of
employment growth. This sector had net growth of 866 jobs, out of which 854 were attributed to local factors. Moreover,
the industry mix share in this sector had a negative growth effect (-102 jobs). Since the local share has a high growth rate,
it means there was a national decline in employment in the nursing sector, and the region had certain competitiveness
factors that attributed to a high positive growth in the sector.

6
Pennstate (2003) Using Employment data to better understand your local economy.

27
 NORTH CENTRAL REGION

Table 15: Industries with Highest Local Share of Growth – Shift Share Analysis North Central Region
National Industry Mix
NAICS NAICS Definition Net Growth Local Share
Growth Share Share
621111 Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists) 931 48.05 15.75 867.20
623110 Nursing Care Facilities 866 114.54 -102.40 853.86
561320 Temporary Help Services 772 12.73 37.48 721.79
454111 Electronic Shopping 564 0.26 1.73 562.01
721110 Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels 571 36.38 -11.05 545.66
561492 Court Reporting and Stenotype Services 465 0.90 -0.64 464.74
332439 Other Metal Container Manufacturing 448 0.58 -1.16 448.58
621420 Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers 432 2.27 2.17 427.56
624190 Other Individual and Family Services 421 5.02 4.29 411.69
336214 Travel Trailer and Camper Manufacturing 445 12.57 40.73 391.70
611310 Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools 314 0.90 0.29 312.81
551114 Corporate, Subsidiary, and Regional Managing Offices 321 23.18 11.40 286.42
813990 Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, 286 0.42 0.32 285.26
Labor, and Political Organizations)
561422 Telemarketing Bureaus 258 4.86 5.58 247.56
311111 Dog and Cat Food Manufacturing 245 15.52 -5.52 235.00
561210 Facilities Support Services 240 3.06 6.51 230.43
332999 All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing 220 0.21 -0.04 219.83
624310 Vocational Rehabilitation Services 215 5.60 -4.36 213.76
443112 Radio, Television, and Other Electronics Stores 240 7.82 26.12 206.07
492110 Couriers 207 16.00 -7.85 198.85
447110 Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores 181 65.90 -73.70 188.80
624410 Child Day Care Services 201 15.58 2.20 183.22
621492 Kidney Dialysis Centers 187 5.91 6.27 174.82
333922 Conveyor and Conveying Equipment Manufacturing 148 17.48 -17.21 147.73
722410 Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) 121 22.34 -44.34 143.00
Data Source: ES202 data, IMPLAN MIG group

28
 NORTH CENTRAL REGION

Clusters in the North Central Region

Traded Clusters

The table below (Table16) shows various clusters in the region. Five clusters in North Central Kansas have location
quotients higher than 1.25. They are

Agribusiness, Food Processing and Technology

Electrical Equipment, Appliance and Component Manufacturing
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing
Glass and Ceramics
Machinery Manufacturing

Agribusiness, Food Processing and Technology cluster has LQ of 3.99 in the region. However, the cluster has shown a
decline of 1.16% in the last three years, and the average wages are 9.73% less than the national average wages for the
cluster. The Electrical Equipment, Appliance and Component Manufacturing cluster has LQ of 4.91. It has declined by
3.13% and has wages 8.59% less than the cluster national wages. Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing has LQ of
1.54, and along with that it has a high growth rate of 14.38%. Average wages, though, are about 26% less than cluster
averages at the national level. Glass and Ceramics had LQ of 1.25, a growth rate of 12.68% and wages less than
average. Similarly, the Machinery Manufacturing cluster has LQ of 2.5, growth of 7.62%, but very low wages that are
about 43% less than cluster national average wages. Investments into these sectors should be considered to make them
more competitive and attract labor.

29
 NORTH CENTRAL REGION

Table 16: Clusters in the North Central Region

Average Average Wages
Growth
Cluster Establishments Employment Wages Compared to LQ
Rate
National Average

Advanced Materials 104.3 3026 $34,714 -43.40% -0.18% 0.63

Agribusiness, Food Processing and Technology 384.2 11,401 $30,715 -9.73% -1.16% 3.99
Apparel and Textiles 30 119 $27,429 -29.66% -8.24% 0.11
Arts, Entertainment, Recreation and Visitor 239.9 2,824 $13,306 -59.42% 1.92% 0.67
Industries
Biomedical/Biotechnical (Life Sciences) 374.3 9,674 $25,230 -39.80% -0.90% 0.94
Business and Financial Services 972 5,174 $35,759 -53.00% -0.79% 0.50
Chemicals and Chemical-Based Products 87.3 2,238 $31,903 -42.46% 3.53% 1.05
Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing 6 49 $41,439 -49.47% -30.51% 0.04
Defense and Security 134.6 1,184 $29,218 -55.54% 4.86% 0.33
Education and Knowledge Cluster 90.6 1,486 $24,097 -45.01% 8.02% 0.74
Electrical Equipment, Appliance and Component 7.3 1,879 $45,565 -8.59% -3.13% 4.91
Manufacturing
Energy (Fossil and Renewable) 653.2 7,266 $32,994 -44.79% -0.50% 1.08
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing 49.6 2,047 $32,379 -26.30% 14.38% 1.54
Forest and Wood Products 123.6 1,020 $27,510 -31.10% 0.03% 0.44
Glass and Ceramics 10.3 362 $32,103 -24.72% 12.68% 1.25
Information Technology and Telecommunications 250.5 2,813 $39,767 -47.44% -5.74% 0.52
Machinery Manufacturing 61 2,607 $39,075 -27.94% 8.03% 2.50
Mining 30.3 163 $37,393 -32.23% -3.61% 0.92
Primary Metal Manufacturing 3 91 $31,239 -43.01% 7.62% 0.23
Printing and Publishing 126.3 1,808 $28,306 -45.64% 1.00% 0.84
Transportation and Logistics 362.6 3,601 $33,422 -20.65% -12.31% 0.85
Transportation Equipment Manufacturing 21 1,393 $42,813 -29.50% 4.84% 0.89
Total All Industries 7,905 99,908 $26,274 -38.04% 1.07% 1.00
Data Source: ES202 data, IMPLAN MIG group
Highlighted cell represent values higher than specified criteria values

30
 NORTH CENTRAL REGION

Transportation 
Transportation and  Equip Mfg LQ Advanced 
Logistics 0.89 Materials
0.85 Apparel 
Printing and  0.63
and Textiles
Publishing 0.11
Primary Metal Mfg 0.84
0.23 Mining Arts & 
0.92 Agribusiness Entertainment
3.99 0.67

Biomedical
Machinery Mfg 0.94
2.5
IT & Telecom Business & 
0.52 Glass and  Financial Services
Ceramics 0.5
1.25 Chemicals 
Forest and  1.05
Wood Products Electrical Equip &  Defense 
0.44 Fabricated Metal  Component Mfg and  Computer and 
Prod Mfg 4.91 Security Electronic 
1.54 Energy  0.33 Product 
1.08 Manufacturing 
0.04
Education & 
Knowledge Cluster
0.74

Figure 10: Location Quotient for Various Traded Clusters

31
 NORTH CENTRAL REGION

Figure 11: Traded Clusters in the North Central Region

32
 NORTH CENTRAL REGION

Figure 12: Traded Clusters in Various Counties and their LQ

33
 NORTH CENTRAL REGION

Local Clusters

The North Central Kansas Region has high location quotients for two local clusters – Local Community & Civic
Organizations and Local Fanatical Services. The Local Education & Training, Local Health Services and Local Household
Goods & Services clusters have growth rates of more than 5%. The only local cluster with wages higher than the national
average is the Local Industrial Products & Services cluster.

Table 17: Local Clusters in the North Central Region

Average Average Wages
Growth
Cluster Establishments Employment Wages Compared to LQ
Rate
National Average
Local Commercial Services 46 412 $18,946 -31.40% -3.68% 0.77
Local Community & Civic Organizations 145 1584 $22,009 -27.94% -1.25% 1.36
Local Education & Training 5 172 $20,742 -33.17% 15.03% 0.32
Local Entertainment & Media 75 698 $14,255 -27.89% -8.69% 1.01
Local Financial Services 191 2653 $32,530 -36.48% -1.36% 1.51
Local Food and Beverages Processing & 216 3593 $17,074 -37.08% -1.55% 1.06
Distribution
Local Health Services 519.3 5100 $33,857 -29.49% 6.20% 1.08
Local Hospitality 609.6 9716 $8,963 -34.71% 1.81% 1.22
Local Household Goods & Services 383.3 3624 $24,993 -35.23% 5.28% 1.01
Local Industrial Products & Services 19 172 $69,417 23.59% -9.10% 0.45
Local Logistical Services 20 206 $15,015 -46.76% -4.96% 0.43
Local Motor Vehicle Products & Services 419 3164 $29,522 -19.79% 0.00% 1.19
Local Personal Services (Non-Medical) 171.3 1083 $14,489 -26.03% 4.21% 0.85
Local Real Estate, Construction & Development 451.3 2571 $32,300 -36.76% 3.62% 1.03
Local Retail Clothing & Accessories 172.6 4313 $14,921 -23.64% 0.76% 1.09
Local Utilities 17 72 $27,228 -33.96% -22.55% 0.61
Data Source: ES202 data, IMPLAN MIG group
Highlighted cell represent values higher than specified criteria values

34
 NORTH CENTRAL REGION

Figure 13: Local Clusters in the North Central Region

35