Page 1 - Charles town economic development strategic plan
P. 1

CHARLES TOWN PEOPLE AND INDUSTRY

The City of Charles Town, West Virginia, is the County seat of Jefferson County, part of the Washington,
D.C. Metro area. Charles Town is a community rich with authentic historic experiences, services and
entertainment for all ages, and an innovative and well educated population ready to take on the challenges
of the 21st century. The City boasts a highly skilled resident workforce, a well preserved and authentic
downtown, and a small town feel with easy access to D.C. and Baltimore. Charles Town. It’s Here.

              Population 2013                             Labor Force
                      5,177
                                                         2007-2011 Avg.
Within one labor shed of 697,500 people*
                                                               2,633

        Median Income                      Unemployment July 2013
                                                4.1% (Jefferson Co.)
  Household, 2007-2011 Avg.
                                           Compared to 7.4% nationally
              $64,402
Compared to $52,762 nationally

            Cost of Living                         Job Growth
   30% lower than Leesburg, VA,               +13% from 2003-2013
Gaithersburg, MD, and Chantilly, VA        +23% 2013-2021 (projected)

       Educational Attainment                     Access to Major Markets
                                           90 minutes or less to:
                2007-2011 Avg.
                                             ï‚· Hagerstown, MD 45 min.
6 in 10 adults have at least some college    ï‚· Dulles International Airport 50 min.
      (compared to 57% nationally)           ï‚· Downtown Washington, D.C. 80 min.
                                             ï‚· Baltimore, MD 80 min.
3 in 10 hold a bachelor degree or higher     ï‚· Baltimore/Washington International
      (compared to 28% nationally)
                                                  Airport 80 min.
30%  Bachelor
     degree+

28%  Some college /
     associate’s degree

42%  High school
     or less

                 Major Industries  Jobs                   Growing Industries  Growth
                         2013      1,507                        2003-2013     +1,021%
                                   1,450
Industry                                   Industry                             +191%
Accommodation / Food Services        884   Educational Services (Private)        +75%
Government                           785   Accommodation /Food Services          +75%
Retail Trade                         395   Transportation and Warehousing          75%
Educational Services (Private)             Information
Health Care and Social Assistance          Real Estate, Rental, Leasing

*Labor Shed includes Jefferson County and its contiguous counties: Berkeley County, WV; Frederick County, VA; Clarke
County, VA; Loudoun County, VA; and Washington County, MD.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2007-2011; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2013; EMSI Analyst 3.0, 2013, AreaVibes.com.

                                   www.charlestownwv.us
   1